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.