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Bolton Fire Commission reviews budget, reports 30 calls and monitors state fire bills
Summary
At its Feb. 25, 2019 meeting the Bolton Fire Commission heard that the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department responded to 30 calls in February, that a 2019–20 budget has been submitted to the town, an agreement with the volunteer department was finalized, several personnel promotions were announced, and the fire marshal outlined several state bills under review.
The Bolton Fire Commission met Feb. 25, 2019, at the Bolton firehouse and heard updates from Chief Bruce Dixon and Fire Marshal James Rupert.
Chief Bruce Dixon told the commission the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department responded to 30 calls during February, including two structure fires, four motor vehicle accidents and six calls for downed wires following high winds. He said the department’s budget for 2019–2020 has been submitted to the town and will be discussed at the Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.
The chief also reported that an agreement between the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., and the Town of Bolton has been finalized. Dixon reviewed personnel matters including a job description for the fire marshal position and a three-year program for officers; he announced promotions of Steve Maroney to captain and John DeMorro from fire police to lieutenant.
Fire Marshal James Rupert presented his report, noting county poster contest entries advanced to the state level but Bolton had no finalists. Rupert said he conducted a site visit to Keeney Drive after a chimney fire and issued verbal safety recommendations that will be followed up in writing. He also reported attending a recent WCFMA meeting where training and pending legislation were discussed and said there is concern that a bill legalizing fireworks “may come back to life.”
Rupert listed several bills the commission is monitoring: HB 5454 (to reduce board of fire official and fire marshal recertification hours from 90 every three years to 50), HB 5660 (to require an identifying placard for buildings using trusses), HB 6385 (to allow municipal fire departments to train fire inspectors and fire marshals) and HB 6391 (to permit boards of fire officials and fire marshals to contract with qualified inspectors to perform portions of required inspections).
The commission was told that common areas of the structure at 890 Boston Turnpike have been inspected; Rupert said he will begin inspections of individual dwelling units next and will follow up with notices to abate unsafe conditions per the Fire Code. He also said he received plans for commercial renovations at 25 West Street and met with the owner and design professional to discuss fire separations, and that he met with a representative of Millennium Builders about demolition and construction work for an addition to the town garage and reviewed permitting and review steps.
Procedural business included motions to approve minutes for Dec. 17, 2018 and Jan. 28, 2019; both motions were recorded as carried by unanimous voice vote. A motion to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. was also recorded as a unanimous vote. The commission set its next regular meeting for Monday, March 25, 2019.
Minutes were signed by Board Clerk Janet Kurys Assard.
