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Orleans fire department raises stipend proposal and seeks options for aging rescue vehicle
Summary
Fire officials told the council they want to raise per-run stipends from $15.50 to $20, described declining staffing levels and presented an appraisal that valued an underused rescue vehicle at about $60,000 for a quick sale or just over $100,000 with longer marketing; staff will gather further details.
A fire department representative told the Orleans town council the department is short-staffed and is proposing a modest increase to stipends and additional follow-up on an aging rescue vehicle.
"Our current stipend is at $15.50 per run. I would like to jump bump that to 20," the Fire department official said, proposing that meeting and training stipends be combined and increased to $20 and that the annual travel allowance (currently $125) be reconsidered.
The official said the department currently lists eight members but expected to lose another volunteer, dropping to seven, and noted that a cadet program (age 16) exists though fireground duties require volunteers to be at least 18. "We're hoping to get into the high school and do an event at the high school to try to pull some teenagers in," the official said, describing recruitment efforts.
On equipment, Fire department staff presented a recent appraisal from a fire-truck sales company named in the transcript as "Garage." The appraisal quoted approximately $60,000 for a quick sale and a little over $100,000 if the truck were marketed longer. Staff described a sales arrangement in which the company would post and handle a sale and indicated the company may deduct fees (staff discussed a possible 50% deduction in the transcript).
"That truck is absolutely useless to us right now," Fire department staff said, describing problems with the vehicle and the need to replace it with something similar (it was described as a light/wet rescue with a small tank and pump).
Council members asked staff to gather more details on the appraisal, sale terms and potential trade options; staff said they would follow up with the sales company and report back. No formal vote or budget action was taken during the meeting.
