Flowers and a standing ovation went to Eileen Naber, right, at the Mont Vernon Town Meeting March 13. She retired from the trustees of the trust funds after serving since 1988. Karen Mitchell is on the left.

MONT VERNON – During one of the biggest town meetings in recent history, voters rejected funds for a new fire truck, while approving money for more site study for a new library.

Fire Chief Jay Wilson and fire department captains laid out the reasons firefighters believe the town needs a $565,000 all-wheel drive rescue pumper.

But budget committee Chairman John Arico said this was the wrong time for such a big purchase, and the fire department needs to join with other departments in planning to avoid spikes in the tax rate. Selectmen agreed.

The proposal needed a two-thirds majority, and in a secret ballot vote it fell far short with, 63 yes votes and 184 no’s.

The roughly 250 voters who filled the Village School gymnasium also rejected an attempt to amend a budget line item for health insurance. It will give the selectmen’s secretary 100 percent health insurance premium coverage. Two selectmen strongly supported the benefit that came with a promotion to 30 hours a week.

The third selectman, Kim Roberge, argued against it, saying that 100 percent coverage of health insurance premiums for a part-time employee is too much.

Board Chairman John Quinlan called it a “right thing for this town … and a well-deserved promotion … and said he would “lay my personal honor on it.”

Mont Vernon doesn’t have a town manager, he said, the town can’t afford to lose Laurie Brown, and she’s doing a great job. Selectman John Esposito agreed, saying the workload has doubled over the past 15 years.

At the end of the nearly three-hour meeting, residents recognized Brown with applause at the request of John Arico, chairman of the budget committee.

Also approved at town meeting:

• A $2.5 million town operating budget.

• $40,000 added to the fire department capital reserve fund. The original amount was amended by voters from $75,000, after selectmen and the budget committee agreed $75,000 was too much.

• $50,000 to repair and maintain town buildings, including repairs and new windows for the McCollom building.

• $25, 000 for more site assessment of a new Daland library planned for the field behind the post office. Library trustee Cindy Raspiller said the site has more wetlands than anticipated and might require more fill. They also need to establish the best site for a septic system and an access road, she said.

• $6,000 to continue refurbishing Carleton Pond and the surrounding park.

• A petition article to adjust the town clerk’s salary. It was opposed by both the budget committee and selectmen but approved by voters 144 to 85 in a secret ballot vote.

On Election Day, longtime Selectman John Quinlan, the board’s chairman, was defeated by budget committee member Tim Berry by a vote of 245-214.

No one filed for two open positions on the school board. Jessica Hinckley received 110 write-in votes, and accepted the position. Incumbent Thomas Driscoll, whose term expires this year, and budget committee member Wesley Sonner each received 13 write-in votes, so school district moderator Peter King held a coin toss after town meeting.

Driscoll won the coin toss, but declined the position, so the school district is still looking for someone to fill the one-year seat.

Kathy Cleveland may be reached at 673-3100 or kcleveland@cabinet.com.