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Fire department reports equipment repairs, association formation; seeks monthly board updates
Summary
Fire Department representatives told the Select Board they skipped this year's AFG application but will seek a mini-pumper next year, reported repairs to Engine 2 and that Engine 4 and the tanker are operational, and said the Fire Association has formed leadership and a PO box.
The New Ashford Fire Department briefed the Select Board on equipment repairs, grants and the formation of a Fire Association at the Nov. 18 meeting.
Frank Speth said the department did not apply for the AFG this year but will try again next year for a mini-pumper to replace Engine 4. He noted the MEMA grant opens soon and said, "I do not think the department needs anything" via the MEMA grant, characterizing the MEMA opportunity as a town-level grant rather than a department grant.
Speth reported repairs to Engine 2 — a replaced throttle cable, fixed rear brakes and a repaired water gauge — and said some lights remain broken. He said Engine 4 and the tanker are fine, the Humvee is not running, and that the federal surplus program has been discontinued; he recommended not investing town funds in equipment the town does not own and said he will have DCR take the Humvee to free space at the station. Speth said the department plans to remove stored equipment and water from the town hall basement when the fire station addition is finished.
Speth said the Fire Association has secured a PO box and is organizing leadership: P.J. Pannesco as president, Speth as vice president and Jeremy Knox as treasurer. He noted the association will need to file annually with the IRS and the treasurer should be bonded; Ken McInerney recommended the association obtain yearly audits. Including support members, Speth said the department has nine people.
The Select Board asked that someone from the Fire Department attend a Select Board meeting monthly to improve communication and to submit invoices to the Town Accountant by e-mail in a timely fashion.
