Marion Special Town Meeting begins at 7 p.m. tonight in the Sippican School auditorium.

Marion residents will vote on five agenda items, including a request for a new ambulance and funds to combat the gypsy moth invasion.

Item number three is a $241,000 request to purchase a new ambulance for the Fire and EMS Departments. The Finance Committee will make its recommendation at Town Meeting.

Fire Chief Brian Jackvony said the funds would be used to replace a 2008 model ambulance. The upgrade would bring in a larger ambulance able to store additional rescue gear.

He said repair costs on the current ambulance have been increasing.

“It’s just time to order a new one,” Jackvony said. “While it’s not a safety hazard for EMTs or residents, it does break down more often than we like to see.”

While many departments replace ambulances every five years, in Marion replacements generally occur every eight years. That’s due to the town’s proximity to Tobey Hospital, which keeps mileage low, Jackvony said.

Tree Warden Margie Baldwin has requested the town transfer $10,000 from the free cash account for aerial spraying of gypsy and winter moths. Early this spring, the invasive species destroyed leaves on many tri-town trees. While most survived, Baldwin said if the moths return in the same numbers it’s likely many trees will be unable to recover fully. The money will be used only if needed.

The first item to be voted on would change how the town collects outstanding water bills.

If approved, the item would allow town officials to treat delinquent water accounts from non residents the same as it would handle overdue accounts from residents.

Another article requests $50,000 to be used towards the town’s required grant contribution for the Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Estuary Program. The total grant is $200,000 and is used for the town’s ongoing sewer improvement program.