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Council hears update on 2024 FEMA SAFE grant; cost-share returns, town weighing staffing
Summary
Council member David Merrick told the council FEMA reopened the 2024 SAFE (fire prevention) grant on May 23 and the program now requires a local cost share: 25% in years one–two and 65% in year three. Staff said the town may reduce proposed positions from six to three depending on budget capacity.
David Merrick, a member of the council, briefed colleagues on recent changes to the 2024 FEMA SAFER/SAFE fire prevention grant and what the shifts could mean for local staffing and budgets. He said the grant reopening on May 23 included a return to a local cost-share requirement: "the safety grant, the fire prevention safety grant, would be open on May 23," and that the grant now expects a 25% match for the first and second year and 65% in year three. Merrick said the town previously planned for six positions but is considering reducing that to three given the new cost-share structure.
Staff cautioned that accepting an award would depend on the town's budget outlook. A staff speaker said the council "would have to examine our financial footing at that time and . . . make a decision to move forward with it or without." The council did not record a detailed vote count on personnel changes during the update; members discussed options to adjust other budget items if an award required local matching funds. The transcript does not specify dollar caps or exact salary ranges; council staff said the FEMA cap exists but that local salaries likely fall below it.
The update was informational and directed staff to continue assessing financial feasibility and next steps for applying if the town chooses to proceed. No detailed funding allocation or final staffing decision was adopted at the meeting.
