Budget committee reviews public-safety budgets; fire-truck request to be presented

The Town of Wayne Budget Committee met on March 10, 2026, approved the Feb. 24 minutes and reviewed the fire department and animal control operating budgets. Town staff told the committee the fire department's operating budget remains essentially flat from the current year (current-year figure shown as $77,451) and that one-time 2025 purchases such as oxygen equipment (about $10,000) were removed from this year's lines.

Staff said firefighter stipends are paid via a points system tied to trainings and participation; the department added four new firefighters this year and stipends have been paid for half of the year so far. Equipment and leftover operating funds flow into a dedicated fire-equipment reserve, staff said. The committee was told the fire chief will appear at the next meeting to discuss a fire-truck purchase and staff expects a request of about $150,000 in addition to an existing carried balance of $75,000.

On animal control (department 106), staff reported wages are hour-based and seasonally variable; animal-control wages were reduced roughly $3,000 in the draft and stipends remain paid monthly. Staff described coordination with the Kebec Valley humane partners for vaccinations and animal-care work, and explained on-site visits are tracked in a monthly report and vary greatly by month.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about how stipends are calculated, where leftover fire operating funds are held, and whether a new fire truck will fit existing facilities; staff said a new truck will fit in the North Wayne station but not the Wayne station. The committee did not take a final vote on any new capital purchase during the meeting; the fire chief is expected to present formal capital-request materials at the next session.