Meeting opened at 7:05 p.m.

In attendance: Mike Cutting - Chair, Harold Whittemore, Peter Newman, Mark Violette, and Selectman David E. Hartman

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen

Others present:

Laura Buono – Town Administrator

Richard Brown – Fire Chief,  Martha Mical, Ed Mical, Jim Henley

1. MEETING MINUTES

Harold Whittemore made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated December 7, 2006. Marc Violette seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

2. OLD BUSINESS

Marc asked if the complete labor rate for the mechanic was available. Laura will have the information by January 2007.

3. FIRE DEPARTMENT 2007 BUDGET

Ambulance is reduced, Mr. Brown explained that Ambulance is always a year behind, the Town is charged for what is not collected.

Salaries include the Fire Chief, two Deputy Chiefs, Clerk and Treasurer. The figure will be adjusted once the Board of Selectmen approves the wage increases.

Fireman wages are determined by the hours, the total for 2006 amounts to 3,871.5 hours for all personnel. Laura explained that the Fireman wages received the 2.75% increase this year; $43,087.00 has been paid out for the end of the year payroll.

The Fire Chief explained that since October 26, 2006 the EMT on-call position became vacant (the Captain resigned), there are more people from the Rescue Squad available during the day and a trial period will be monitored to see how effective it will be without the on-call position. Mr. Brown recommends funding the on-call position in case the current scenario does not work out.

Laura has recommended to the Fire Chief to consider secretarial help as needed, the Chief would like to see if anyone within the fire personnel would be interested paying the rate for a fire call.

The Fire Chief uses the Town Mechanic to service the equipment, what cannot be completed by the Town is sent out. The question was raised why the cost for using the mechanic is not being charged to the departments for routine maintenance. Laura explained that those costs can be tracked. The Committee is concerned that the Mechanic position is not being utilized the way it should be, and does the Town really need the position. Laura asked the Committee if they would like the labor of the mechanic tracked or physically moved to the Department that utilizes the service. The Committee will further discuss this at the next scheduled work session on December 21, 2006. Laura explained that during the Police Departments presentation it was explained that the Highway Department could not purchase the material to change the oil in the cruisers for less than what is being charged at Rainbow Garage, also there is no lift to raise the cars at the Highway Department.

Building Maintenance, $2,500 was added to change the doors at the Old Fire Station. The existing doors are to narrow for today’s vehicles. The work will be completed by the staff.

The Board of Selectmen will be discussing the installation of a sprinkler system within the Fire Station; the cost will be presented in a warrant article in the amount of $20,000. Mr. Brown will obtain a more accurate cost.

Radio Maintenance, there are 40 pagers in total; the Chief tries to purchase at least 6 a year.

Training may increase for a Certified Fire Fighter Course for the new members; the Chief will obtain an accurate cost.

Forest Fires funds small brush fires. The Forest Fire Expendable Trust will fund large fires. The Chief explained that some of the small brush fires are reflected in regular wages if it is only an hour. The Chief recommends adding to the Expendable Trust. The Selectmen decided not to fund the Trust in 2007; there is approximately $46,000+ in the fund. The Committee noted that the Forest Fires line has been overspent by $1,253.32; is any of that recoupable. Laura explained that some of the costs were recouped.

4. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPITAL EXPENSES

The Chief explained that if the grant for the tanker is not approved, the tanker will be presented in 2008. The expense for 2007 would be the cost to cover the grant (same amount as last year, Town share in the amount of $12,500).

The Chief explained that a new facility it is only in the discussion stage. The Chief estimates 1.8 million for land & building, as time goes on the cost increases.

The Committee asked that if the grant is not applied to replace Tank 2 would the Fire Department still look to purchase a four wheel drive vehicle. The Chief highly recommends a four wheel drive vehicle because of some of the steep driveways. The Chief presented driveway regulations to the Planning Board but they were not passed.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

The next scheduled meeting is December 14, 2006 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Motion to adjourn 8:14 p.m.