PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council Monday voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a new ambulance for the Fire Department at a cost of $253,861. 

The new ambulance will replace a 10-year-old rescue vehicle that’s been taken out of service due to extensive repairs. Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. said the 2008 GMC/Horton has close to 200,000 miles on it “and is deemed beyond economical repair.”

The request took several council members by surprise since there was no mention of the old ambulance during budget talks in the spring. Mr. Rainer replied he didn’t know at that time the vehicle was in such bad shape.

David Reise, of Freeborn Street, asked whether the old vehicle’s module — “the ambulance unit itself” — could be refurbished and placed on a new chassis. 

Mr. Rainer said the town looked into that possibility but learned it couldn’t be done, although any of the “serviceable equipment” could be transferred to the new vehicle.

Since the request is an un-budgeted expense, Mr. Rainer said funds within the town’s current spending plan will need to be reallocated. Annual finance payments on the new ambulance is expected to be $39,990 for seven years, and the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Association has committed $25,000 to defray the cost of the first year, he said.

That leaves $14,990 to be covered by the town in the first year, and he requested the council reallocate that amount from the $20,000 line item in this year’s capital budget for ongoing repairs of cupolas at Glen Farm.

“It’s not fun to make this recommendation, but I have to balance the priority between a cupola and an ambulance,” Mr. Rainer said.

After some debate, the council voted to approve the purchase as well as Mr. Rainer’s method of financing it.

Zoning matters

In other matters Monday night, the council voted 6-0 to request an advisory opinion from the Planning Board on an application to amend the town’s zoning ordinance to allow a brewery to operate on property now occupied by the Island Garden Shop and Van Hof Nursery, 54 Bristol Ferry Road.

Ragged Island Brewery Co., currently located in the Portsmouth Business Park, has entered into an agreement to purchase the property and plans on growing hops any other ingredients necessary to produce its beer onsite.

Although the Van Hof property has been used as a farm and nursery for years, it’s located in an R-20 residential zone and neither “brewery” nor “farm-brewery” are identified as uses in the town’s zoning ordinance, said Girard A. Galvin of Galvin Law, which represents the brewery. In light of a recent Superior Court decision, town officials have indicated that a zoning amendment would be required to allow for the brewery at that location, Mr. Galvin said.

After receiving the advisory opinion from the Planning Board, the council will hold a public hearing on the zoning change on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Council member Elizabeth Pedro recused herself from the vote.

In another matter, the council continued until Sept. 10 a public hearing on a request to re-zone about 2.4 acres of property at 2951 and 2967 East Main Road from commercial to residential. The remaining 3.9 acres of property at those locations would remain zoned commercial.

Paving contract OK’d

The council unanimously approved a request by Brian Woodhead, acting director of the Department Public Works, to award the 2018-2019 paving projects contract to PJ Keating at a cost of $541,945.05.

Keating originally bid $583,131.25, which was the lowest qualified bidder among nine contractors. However, to stay within budget, Mr. Woodhead recommended eliminating Shoreline Terrace from the plan, saving more than $41,000.

“We’re going to try to do it all this fall,” Mr. Woodhead said of the paving project.

Eagle Scout project

The council unanimously approved an offer from Cole Kinsella, a member of Boy Scout Troop 77 in Middletown, to restore about 15 feet of a stone wall behind an old bull barn at town-owned Glen Farm as part of his Eagle Project.

“I actually work at Glen Farm, so I’d like to see some improvement there. That part of wall has been bugging me for a long time,” Cole told council members.

He said he would bring in volunteers to help with the project, and professional stone mason Rob Ferone would serve as a guide.

“I think this is a fabulous idea. Don’t stop at 15 feet,” Mr. Hamilton joked.

Re-appointments

The council voted unanimously to make two re-appointments to town boards: Sanne Kure-Jensen to the Agriculture Advisory Committee and John F. Brady to the Glen Manor House Authority.

Sad news

Mr. Rainer announced that John King, director of the town’s Emergency Management Agency, is seriously ill and has been placed in hospice care at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River. The town is currently working on a succession plan, he said.

“I can speak for everyone in saying that he and his family are in our thoughts and prayers,” Mr. Rainer said.

Upcoming meetings

The next three council meetings will be held on the following dates and times:

• Monday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 15, at noon (This meeting is the annual council gathering on Prudence Island and will focus mainly on island-related issues. It will be held at the Union Church on Pier Road.)

• Monday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.