Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Department Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Denmark board accepts private donations, authorizes up to $5,000 from fire fund for forestry truck
Summary
The Select Board accepted roughly $20,000 in private donations toward buying a newer forestry chassis and approved using up to $5,000 from the town’s fire department donation fund to complete the purchase; staff will confirm donation receipts and proceed with procurement steps.
At the April 28 meeting the Denmark Select Board heard a request from fire department representatives to replace an aging 1964 International forestry chassis with a newer cabin chassis to retain the department’s tank, pump and other equipment. Board members said the current vehicle is unreliable and the spring season makes a replacement timely.
The board was told Poland Spring pledged $5,000 and Sean and David McGrath (through a charitable foundation) committed approximately $15,000, giving about $20,000 in donations toward the chassis and retrofit. The fire department requested authorization to accept the donations and to use up to $5,000 from the town’s fire department donation fund to cover remaining costs. A motion to accept the donations and to permit use of up to $5,000 of the fire department fund for the purchase passed on a voice vote. Staff said they would verify receipt of the donor check(s) and proceed to purchase and retrofit the chassis, moving tank/body/pump components from the 1964 vehicle onto the newer frame.
Separately, the town manager reported staff will present the fire department’s March report at the next meeting and follow up on outstanding procurement details. The board also noted the department is applying for other grants and the town may submit a separate State Farm and/or FEMA grant application for additional equipment or turnout gear.
Why it matters: The replacement will update a decades‑old front‑line vehicle used for wildfire and forestry responses; using donated funds plus limited town funds reduces immediate impact on the general fund but requires confirmation of donations and coordination on retrofitting town‑owned apparatus.
Next steps: Staff will confirm donor payments and order the chassis; the Select Board will receive updates at a future meeting once procurement and retrofitting arrangements are finalized.
