In Charleston, budget adopted Funding for fire department raises concern among some residents

CHARLESTON – The expense of operating a fire department prompted some discussion Saturday at the annual town meeting.

While residents readily approved $19,390 for the operation of the department, $2,000 from the Charleston Correctional Facility for training, and $20,000 for the firetruck capital reserve account, the idea of adding $10,000 to the department’s equipment capital reserve account for emergencies raised some concern.

The previous balance in the latter account is $13,787, which prompted some residents to suggest the account be capped at $25,000. That recommendation was later dropped with the expectation that firefighters will address the matter before next year’s town meeting.

Firefighters said they have tried to get grants to help with fire protection costs without much success. The fact that the department is the only one within 25 miles of the Charleston Correctional Facility should help in the process but hasn’t thus far, residents were told.

The approximately 50 residents in attendance approved all of the warrant articles as proposed. The budget is $939,605, compared to last year’s budget of $917,336.

Budget committee member Barry Higgins told residents earlier in the meeting that if the warrant articles were approved and if education costs came in as estimated, the tax rate would basically remain the same.

The town’s legislative representative on Saturday warned residents that some state officials have discussed “robbing” revenue sharing to help fund the state’s takeover of jails.

Rep. Douglas Thomas, R-Ripley, said the state is short at least $200 million and it appears revenue sharing may be targeted to help fill the gap, a move he opposes.

Elected to office were: Martha Ward, selectman; Barry Higgins and Malcolm Weymouth, three-year terms, planning board; Rick Johnson, one-year term, planning board; Greg Pinkham, fire chief; and Robert Higgins Jr., SAD 68 director.

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