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Bolton fire chief readies 2025–26 budget as FEMA radio grant could fund mobile radio upgrades
Summary
At the Nov. 25 Bolton Fire Commission meeting, Chief Dixon said he will finalize the 2025–26 budget for the Dec. 9 meeting and described a FEMA grant application — due around Dec. 20 — that, if awarded, would fund mobile radio upgrades through the town's CIP; he also warned of possible higher OSHA physical costs.
Chief Dixon told the Bolton Fire Commission on Nov. 25 that he is finalizing the fire department's 2025–26 budget and will present the completed draft at the commission's Dec. 9 meeting.
The chief reported operational pressures the budget must address. "53 calls for the last month which included brush fires and motor vehicle accidents," he said, and added that "currently there is a burn ban in the Town of Bolton." He also warned that a possible change to OSHA requirements for medical physicals would increase costs for the department.
Dixon said he has been working with the towns of Tolland and Somers on a FEMA grant, due around Dec. 20, 2024. If the grant is awarded, the next step would be to upgrade mobile radios through Bolton's Capital Improvement Program, he said. The commission confirmed the department's Capital Improvement Plans have been submitted to the Selectmen's office on time.
The budget discussion was part of the meeting's new-business agenda and did not include a final vote on appropriations. Chief Dixon said training is ongoing and that he will finalize the budget for formal review at the commission's Dec. 9 meeting.
Actions and next steps: The commission recorded the planned timeline for the budget presentation; any grant award and CIP-funded radio upgrades would follow the town's existing capital process and additional Selectmen or town approvals as required.
