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Board reviews fire department and marshal budgets, approves planning for admin support and capital needs
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the Board of Finance reviewed the Fire Department and Fire Marshal budgets for FY 2026–2027, noting modest operating increases, a requested $8,000 salary increase for the fire marshal, and a proposal for part-time administrative support estimated at $19,500 annually.
The Board of Finance reviewed the Fire Department and Fire Marshal budgets for fiscal year 2026–2027 at its Feb. 24 meeting.
The board discussed operating-line adjustments that include $7,000 for firefighter physicals, a $3,000 net increase in operating expenses, $1,000 more for fire equipment and supplies, and a $5,000 increase for vehicle maintenance. The transcript records $400 for personal losses as unchanged. The board also noted recurring operating items such as hydrotesting, quarterly SCBA filling-station testing, ethanol-free fuel purchases, vendor expenses (including Adam's Supermarket and All Waste), electrical work related to generator testing, plowing, hose and ladder testing, and an electronic management system.
The Fire Marshal submitted a request to increase salary funding by $8,000 to add roughly four hours per week to meet inspection schedule deadlines; the budget also includes fuel reimbursement (about one tank per month). The board recorded that other Fire Marshal line items would remain flat.
Members considered a proposal for part-time administrative assistance to support scene documentation forms and meeting minutes. The proposal specified 15–20 hours per week at $25 per hour, with an estimated annual cost of $19,500.
On capital planning, the board reviewed apparatus and station needs. The Fire Department outlined replacement planning for structural firefighting gear (five sets annually to serve an estimated 20–25 interior firefighters), corrosion repair planning for the ladder truck, and Winthrop Station improvement estimates including rear door replacement ($8,000), a roof replacement projected for 2027–2028 ($27,000), and a generator replacement projected for 2028–2029 ($55,000). Board members discussed apparatus replacement planning over the next five years and noted positive experience with micro grants supporting smaller capital items.
The board did not take a final vote on the department’s full budget at the meeting. Next procedural steps recorded in the transcript include continued budget review at upcoming sessions and a special meeting scheduled March 3 to continue discussion of broader budget items.
