The Boothbay Fire Department hopes its 30-year-old tanker truck can chug along for a few more miles until its replacement arrives next summer. Boothbay selectmen approved (vote, 3-0) the purchase of the new E-1 International pumper tanker’s purchase for the department on Oct. 28.

The new vehicle will replace the pumper tanker stationed in East Boothbay. The selectmen accepted the low bid received from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles of Brunswick. Greenwood’s $223,276 bid was the lowest of the three received, according to Fire Chief Dick Spofford. The chief also urged the board to approve the purchase this month.

“If we get a signature this week it saves us money. The price goes up $6,698 next month,” Spofford said.  “No money exchanges hands until next year. It takes about 200 days to build and payment is not required until it’s delivered.”

In other action, selectmen approved the final changes to the municipal employees’ personnel policy. The selectmen sent the new policy — which includes three major changes — for employee review. Employees have 30 days to comment about the new policies.

The changes included a time clock, a required employee pension plan contribution to receive the maximum employer offering, and a $350 bonus for employees who use three or less sick days. The selectmen hope to enact the new policy beginning Jan. 1.

The time clock impacts 10 municipal employees who will log their hours on an iPad. The pension plan change affects all municipal employees. The town will no longer make a 10-percent contribution to the plan without an employee contribution. Beginning on the employee’s hiring date anniversary, they need to contribute one percent of their pay to receive the employer’s maximum contribution. In each succeeding year, employees must contribute an additional percentage point until their contribution level reaches five percent.

The selectmen instituted the new policy to encourage employees to contribute into their own pension plan. Employees who decline to participate will receive a five-percent municipal contribution.

The selectmen amended the proposed personnel policy changes prior to submitting it to the employees for their required 30-day review period. The selectmen amended the new policy by allowing employees drawing workers compensation to remain eligible for the bonus.

“If you’re hurt on the job, workers compensation requires use of a week of sick pay before drawing benefits. That kind of stinks to lose your bonus because you got hurt on the job,” said Selectman Steve Lewis.

The selectmen also appointed a new member to the planning board. The selectmen tapped Corey Lane resident Melinda Brown to join the four current planning board members and two alternates.

“She has done fantastic work on the Clifford Park Committee and comes highly recommended by the planning board,” said Town Manager Dan Bryer.

The planning board still has one vacancy. The selectmen didn’t know if Brown would become a regular or alternate member.

The selectmen also awarded another Ulmer Fund Scholarship. The selectmen voted 3-0 to award Boothbay Region High School junior Jacob Bishopp a $1,000 scholarship. Bishopp requested the money for an April 2016 class trip to France.

The selectmen also proclaimed Dec. 1 as “Giving Tuesday.” The board accepted the request made by Boothbay Treasures, a group of 37 non-profit groups on the peninsula. Boothbay Treasures is the local chapter of “Giving Tuesday,” an international organization recognizing philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service around the world.

“Giving Tuesday” takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year,” according to Boothbay Treasures representative Valerie Young, who requested the selectmen proclaim Dec. 1 as “Giving Tuesday.” Boothbay Treasures is requesting other peninsula towns — Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb — also make the proclamation.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the municipal building.