Southampton Voters Approve $1 Million in Borrowing for Ambulance, Highway Truck

SOUTHAMPTON -- June 20, 2026, Southampton voters approved $1 million in borrowing and a $428,800 conservation land deal at a special town meeting June 20. Town Administrator Scott Zaback anchored the session, winning approval to borrow up to $600,000 for a new ambulance, replacing a 2008 model with more than 98,000 miles, and up to $400,000 for a dump and snow-removal truck to replace a 21-year-old International 7600. Both borrowing articles required paper ballots; the ambulance passed 62-19 and the truck 56-15. Fire Chief Rich Fasoli told voters the department responded to 978 ambulance calls last year and relied on mutual aid from Westfield and East Hampton roughly 100 times, adding that the department has been operating with only one full-time paramedic and himself since a second override failed. Voters also approved a $428,800 conservation restriction on 75 acres at 37 Middle Road, with $424,800 drawn from Community Preservation Act funds, and passed a $42,000 CPA historic preservation transfer to restore the pink granite front steps of Town Hall, beating back a motion to kill the article 52-17.