Finance Committee objections to purchasing a fire truck have prompted Selectmen to create a new panel charged with putting together a proposal to purchase a new one.

And Select Chair Jon Henry finds the idea “abhorrent.”

“The idea of doing that in this manner is abhorrent to me,” Henry said. “This is a last ditch effort in a way to fund the simple matter of buying a fire truck. If cost is an issue the voters have spoken.”

At the previous two Annual Town Meetings, voters sided with Finance Committee members who recommended not raising the $500,000 needed to replace an aging fire truck. Both times Selectmen recommended voters appropriate the funds.

Selectman Jody Dickerson proposed forming the committee in late May. The board approved the committee on June 3 after discussing Finance Committee misgivings with the fire department’s leadership.

“I just want to move forward with the fire truck,” Dickerson said. “We need to put our egos aside and move forward with this. Period.”

Henry said the committee’s interest in the Fire Department’s financial situation was “unprecedented.” According to Henry, the committee has requested payroll information and other records.

“It’s wrong and wrong-headed to maintain private and personnel records on members of the fire department outside the realm of finances,” Henry said.

He added that committee members have been at odds with Fire Chief Tom Joyce on a number of issues. Henry noted Joyce reports to Selectmen, not the Finance Committee.

“I’ve never seen them reach down into a department to call into question legitimate operations because they have an issue with the fire chief,” Henry said. “It’s been messy.”

Selectman Steve Cushing agreed.

“There has been some overstepping of boundaries. They should not be placing their fingers into areas where they should not be,” Cushing said.

Dickerson said the new committee is charged with developing truck specifications with an eye towards cost. A complete proposal will then be put toward voters. Hopefully at the Fall Town Meeting Dickerson said.

The new committee will be dedicated to investigating the need for a new fire truck. Selectmen voted that it be composed of one Selectmen, one Finance Committee member, two Fire Department members to be chosen by Chief Joyce and one citizen.

Dickerson and Cushing voted in favor of the new committee. Henry abstained from the vote.