Fire department urges budget increases to cover staffing, training and aging equipment

Belmont’s fire department presented a detailed budget request at the selectmen’s workshop, pressing the board to restore several line items that department leaders said are necessary to maintain response capacity. The department reported two regular vacancies and two positions currently funded through a federal grant that expires in March; staff said those grant positions could be absorbed into the town budget if the grant is not extended.

The presenter said salaries in the packet reflect default figures until negotiated union contracts are finalized; verbal terms have been reached and the contracts were expected to be routed to legal review and then brought to the board for ratification at the Nov. 5 meeting. Finance staff explained any negotiated increases will appear as separate warrant articles showing the difference between default and proposed figures.

On equipment and operating lines, the department asked for a $5,000 commercial washer/dryer under station repairs, noting repeated failure of residential appliances given daily laundering of uniforms and linens. Officials also highlighted rising costs for SCBA cylinder hydro-testing, an increase in fit‑testing needs as cylinders age, and the expiration of warranties that previously covered parts of their cascade and air systems. Protective turnout gear was described as having a 10‑year service life; the department aims to add three new gear sets this year and work toward a two‑set standard per member over time.

Training and recruitment risks were a repeated theme. Presenters described recent grant-funded academy classes that kept training costs low this year but warned that uncertain grant timelines and short-term grant positions depress applicant interest: “Nobody’s going to apply for a job that may only last a year,” the presenter said. The department requested $22,000 for training pay (reduced from a defaulted $25,000) and proposed restoring uniforms to $15,000 to remain competitive with neighboring towns.

The board voted to move the fire budget forward for inclusion in the town budget process after a motion and second; the vote was recorded with no opposition. The department and finance staff agreed to return any updated contract numbers for final inclusion before warrant publication.

What happens next: the board will receive finalized contract figures and any proposed cost‑item warrant articles; a public hearing on the budget is scheduled as part of the town’s established process in January.