Proposed Eddington fire budget includes new ATV

EDDINGTON – The Fire Department’s proposed 2006 budget is 5.4 percent more than last year’s version, and the chief also is looking for funds for a new all-terrain vehicle.

“We’re proposing to replace the ATV we have,” Fire Chief Alan Boynton told selectmen at Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s a 1980s vintage.”

Boynton presented the department’s $80,200 preliminary budget, which covers supplies, building operation costs, compensation, training and equipment, to selectmen during the meeting.

“Overall, it’s a $4,100 increase,” Town Manager Russell Smith said.

The Fire Department, which would like to purchase a larger, two-person ATV that can handle a stretcher, is looking for grant funds to pay for the approximately $10,000 machine.

“We have used that unit, and other towns call for it,” Boynton stressed. “We have a demonstrated need.”

In case grants funds don’t materialize, Boynton has a proposed town warrant article listed at the bottom of his preliminary budget that asks whether townspeople would “authorize selectmen to spend up to $15,000 from the fire department capital equipment fund to replace the fire department’s 1980s vintage ATV and trailer?”

Chairwoman Joan Brooks said she was impressed with the proposed budget.

“That’s pretty good,” she said.

The budget includes a 2 percent raise for firefighters retroactive to October and another 2 percent increase in October 2006.

The town’s fiscal year ends Jan. 31, and both the Fire Department and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department preliminary budgets are used in creating the town’s new municipal budget.

During the meeting, the board also:

. Accepted the resignation of Scott Baillargeon from the SAD 63 board and appointed teacher and resident Matt Pagnozzi as his replacement. Pagnozzi, sworn in at the end of the meeting, will serve the remainder of Baillargeon’s three-year term, which expires in June.

. Heard the town office is closed Monday, Dec. 26, in observance of Christmas and Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

. Held a public hearing and then approved a junkyard permit for Wilbur and Jean Libby, who do business as Libby’s Salvage Yard.

. Discussed a project to expand the town office that will be presented to voters at the annual town meeting.