CHARLEMONT, Mass. — The Fire Department is getting funds for new fire truck thanks to a boost in investment for rural communities.

 

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was at the fire station on Wednesday to announce the $599,000 award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Communities Facilities Program. The funds were included in the 2026 federal budget.

 

"It's an acknowledgement of the partnership that we have in rural communities," Neal said.

 

"Rural America has many challenges as the tax base arose, and it becomes more difficult for them in some cases to sustain and promote local services, and what's more important than the fire service at the local level."

 

The pumper will replace a 1996 engine. The department currently has five apparatuses that average more than 19 years old. The department was very grateful to be able to upgrade a portion of their fleet.

 

"I really appreciate that you understand the needs of little towns in Massachusetts,"  said Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds. "That's huge. That's what we can't afford. A truck says a lot about, like we said, our tax base, and yet more than a third of our residents on fixed incomes are elderly, and it's really hard to tell them that you need something essential."

 

Neal compared fire departments to the postal service as one of the few remaining face-to-face public services people deeply value, making the new truck very important to keep the community safe. 

 

"Service is something that oftentimes brings personal contact where technology and the internet has removed a lot of personal contact, it's more standoffish, and instead with fire service, when they arrive at your home, people know they need you," Neal said.

 

The truck will not only serve Charlemont but will also be used for mutual aid for around 3,500 citizens in the hilltowns.

 

"I would just like to say, on behalf of all of us, thank you. This is very big. It's going to keep us all safe and happy," said Select Board Chair Jared Bellows.

 

Fire Chief Dennis Annear said fire trucks "have gone outrageous amount of money," and that he and the Fire Department were appreciative of Neal's efforts on their behalf. 

 

"It's allowed us to buy a new truck in the last five years," he said. 

 

Neal said it was rewarding to see the replacement in action and is a big deal for rural communities that often do not get the help they need.

 

"It's rewarding largely because of the fact that there are many places across New England, particularly a lot of old buildings that have been vacant for a considerable period of time that served a purpose 75 or 100 years ago, but they sit there and you never know what could happen that might jeopardize safety in the community," he said. "So this upgrade is a big deal for Charlemont and the regional communities as well."

 

Neal said this initiative was approved by Congress as a good idea to serve local needs, and not approved based on personalities. He highlighted that Congress decides spending and this is an example of federal support directly improving local public safety, similar to other initiatives undertaken to address rural community needs he is proud of like the American Rescue Plan Act during the pandemic.

 

"These are the sorts of investments I think that you can make, particularly during the appropriations process, as it relates to agriculture. I think that many of our rural communities are in need of these sorts of investments, and I think offering that assistance to them in partnership makes sense," Neal said.