A heated debate over the future of the Engine 4 station on Atherton Street brought Article 17 to a standstill, resulting in the public safety budget being tabled until the next meeting. The Fire Chief challenged the Warrant Committee’s recommended fire budget of approximately $2.5 million, arguing it represented a "severe cut" that would effectively force the closure of the station despite a previous voter mandate to keep it open.

The Fire Chief moved an amendment to increase the budget to $2,662,833, stating this was the minimum amount needed to continue staffing the station. Residents spoke passionately in support of the Chief, with one member noting that the recommended funding was $124,000 short of what was required to keep the "trust with voters." Critics of the lower budget accused the Warrant Committee of attempting to circumvent the will of the citizens who voted to reopen the station last year.

The proceedings took a procedural turn when Moderator R. Hiss ruled the Chief's amendment out of order. Hiss explained that the requested increase exceeded the financial limits published in the town warrant's "Table 10," which serves as the legal notice to taxpayers. Following a brief recess, the Fire Chief moved to table the article to allow time to recalibrate the department's line items within the legal limits. The $6,900,731 public safety package, which also includes the Police Department budget, will be revisited at the next session.

Motion: To table Article 17 until the next meeting.

Vote: Passed