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Council hears fire‑engine repair estimates and reconsiders LOSAP and volunteer stipends
Summary
The council was told the department's engine needs a cabinet‑door replacement (estimated over $4,000) and a generator repair (about $9,000); members discussed repair versus replacement costs and debated increasing LOSAP or offering stipends to retain volunteers.
Council members raised a capital and personnel issue for the fire department: Engine 43 requires a cabinet‑door replacement that staff estimated at "over $4,000" and a generator repair estimated at around $9,000, while a new engine would cost in the mid‑hundreds of thousands.
"The engine can still pump water, but they do not have seen lights or the ability now to produce electricity," a council speaker said while discussing the repair status. Members noted the repairs are part of routine scheduled maintenance and agreed the department will present a capital request for the budget. Several councilors urged staff to seek used parts or retrofit options before considering replacement, given a replacement engine's cost is estimated between $850,000 and $1,000,000.
Councilors also discussed volunteer retention. The Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) was described in the meeting: the program currently credits volunteers and deposits $1,150 per year into an annuity for members who meet participation requirements and vest after five years. Several councilors said younger volunteers prefer immediate stipends; they asked LOSAP representatives to attend an informational meeting later in the month so councilors and volunteers can review options, including per‑diem payments or other stipend arrangements.
