Fire chief flags unpaid $1,836 vendor bill after Trenton house fire; board says public funds should not cover it

TVFD Chief Steve Heckman reported a structure fire at 49 Goose Cove Road caused by a bathroom fan and said the department required an excavator during the response. The chief told the Select Board that Goodwin submitted a bill for about $1,836 that has not been paid and asked whether the town should pay the vendor and seek reimbursement from the property'owning family trust.

"We can't use public funds in this manner," said Select Board member Fred Ehrlenbach, expressing the board's concern about using town money to satisfy what appears to be a private obligation. Chief Heckman also noted the occupant lacked insurance and that the family trust that owns the property is located in Arizona, complicating direct recovery.

He told the board the use of an excavator during the recent structure fire was legal under Maine law. The board did not direct staff to pay the bill that night; instead, members advised follow-up steps including having Goodwin confirm delivery of the invoice by certified letter and then pursue collection from the owner or trust if appropriate.

The matter remains a fiscal and administrative question for the town: whether to advance payment and later seek reimbursement or require the vendor to pursue the property owners directly. The Select Board took no formal vote to pay the invoice at the Feb. 17 meeting. The board asked the Fire Chief to follow up with Goodwin and report back at a future meeting.