SACO — The city is holding off on the purchase of a new rescue boat until the City of Biddeford makes a decision on an interlocal agreement for the patrol of Saco River and Saco Bay.
Last month, the city council voted to purchase a $127,000 multi-mission response boat to replace the previous rescue boat, which is out of operation.
On Monday, a council with four new members, and new Mayor Don Pilon, voted to reconsider the previous decision and then voted 6-1, with Councilor Eric Cote opposing, to ask the contractor to delay construction of the boat so the council can find out whether Biddeford is onboard with an interlocal agreement that would include sharing the cost of river and ocean patrol equipment.
Saco approved the interlocal agreement early last month, and Biddeford has yet to vote on it.
The Saco council will vote in January whether to purchase the boat. Pilon said this will give enough time for Biddeford to vote on the interlocal agreement.
The new council is not bound by the decision of the former council, said Pilon.
According to Fire Chief John Duross and City Administrator Richard Michaud, a contract had been signed, and the first payment, due Nov. 30, has not been paid.
Michaud said the contractor has completed architectural work, but no parts have been purchased. Should the city ultimately decide not to purchase the boat, it would likely have to pay for the architectural work, said Michaud.
Work on the boat was scheduled to be complete by May 1, and Deputy Fire Chief David Pendleton said delaying the purchase could put the city’s boat behind other orders.
Pilon directed Michaud to contact the contractor, and said he was sure the company will work with the city.
Councilor Arthur Tardif reiterated that he believes the city needs to wait to make a decision until it knows whether Biddeford is signing the agreement.
“What’s the rush?” he said.
Cote, who opposed the delay, said, “This is nonsense.”
Buying a new rescue boat was not like purchasing a new building, he said, “lives are at risk.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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