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Select Board reviews fire and rescue budget, cites grant-funded equipment and truck repairs
Summary
Officials reviewed the fire and rescue budget, noting lower-than-expected spending last year after grants covered equipment, ongoing truck electrical repairs, FEMA notice of leftover SCBA grant funds and a proposed capital allocation for station work.
The Bristol Select Board on Jan. 7 heard a detailed review of the fire and rescue budget that showed lower spending than was originally budgeted after several grant-funded equipment purchases.
The presenter for fire and rescue told the board that payroll and health insurance lines were down and that equipment spending fell because grants covered much of the cost. "Last year, less money was spent, what was budgeted," the fire/rescue presenter said, adding that grants paid for a new SCBA fill station and other equipment.
The presenter said the department received word from FEMA about leftover funds to buy five new sets of gear and that the gear line in this year's draft budget may be reduced as a result. He also described ongoing maintenance and repair needs: "we had some repairs of trucks last year... two newer trucks, the engine's having some electrical issues," the presenter said.
Board members discussed long-term capital needs for station infrastructure. The presenter said work on the tank at Station 2 and a completed pond project had driven last year’s major expenses and that placement of a new tank remains under design with vendors redrawing sketches.
Members agreed to include paving and apron work for fire stations in upcoming public-works bids to coordinate prep and save costs, and discussed whether to place a $100,000 capital item in the 2026 warrant to cover facility projects pending audit results and available cash.
The review concluded with a plan to refine the budget detail and bring redlined ordinance language about alarm boxes and fire alarms back to the board for the next meeting.
