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Sabattus budget workshop keeps small capital for SCBA bottles, discusses PTO reserve
Summary
Committee agreed to a one‑time $5,000 capital addition to increase SCBA bottle inventory, left $21,000 safety equipment in department budget, and agreed to create a PTO reserve funded from undesignated surplus with a modest initial funding level to be finalized.
Budget participants discussed shortfalls in the fire department’s SCBA bottle inventory and whether replacement bottles should be paid from capital or the department’s operational budget. The budget committee proposed adding $5,000 in capital to purchase bottles or partial replacements immediately; the select board and staff explained the department’s inventory constraints and the rotational replacement approach.
Why it matters: SCBA equipment is safety‑critical for firefighters; inventory shortages affect training and response availability. The committee treated a near‑term, limited purchase as capital to quickly address expirations and spare requirements, while recommending the department budget future rotations under its operational line.
The workshop also debated creating a PTO reserve account — proposed amounts ranged from $10,000 to $20,000 — and discussed auditor guidance that a multiyear approach is feasible for establishing and funding the reserve. Members emphasized the need for personnel policy changes to manage comp time and limit unfunded liabilities; they directed staff to draft policy language and to create a reserve account if approved in final totals.
Next steps: Fire department to provide a current inventory of SCBA bottles and a procurement plan; finance staff to establish the PTO reserve account and work with counsel/auditor to formalize the account and any policy changes. The items will be reflected in the final worksheet for the June warrant.
