PARIS — Residents approved a new ordinance governing the Fire Department and, in a separate measure, redesignated $7,000 in funding, roughly half of which will be used to build a permanent bathroom at Rugg Field.
Monday’s special town meeting preceded the selectmen meeting to wrap up the two issues, which received wide support from board members and the public.
The first issue shifted surplus funds from a construction project at Moore Park and designated about half of them — $4,200 — toward a project being undertaken by a local Eagle Scout to build a permanent bathroom at Rugg Field. The total cost of the facility is about $12,000, and the outstanding balance has been sourced through donations.
Selectmen will have flexibility to allot the remaining fund. Current ideas include establishing a bathroom at Moore Park or another town park, Town Manager Amy Bernard said. Any decision to appropriate the remainder will come before the board and town again before the money is spent, she said.
Kathy Richardson was the lone voice of dissent, concerned that aside from the fiscal sense of doing the project, which is projected to save the town in monthly pumping costs, a health review has not been undertaken.
The meeting was attended by about 10 residents and the four selectmen.
With little discussion, residents also approved a new Fire Department ordinance, reducing it from 13 pages to two, simplifying language for hiring employees, the total number of firefighters required and the breakdown of the number of captains and lieutenants needed. Officials hope it will help the town address the issue of too few per diem firefighters by “modernizing” practices.
The only question was directed from a resident to fire Chief Brad Frost.
“Are you happy?”
Frost nodded in assent.
ccrosby@sunjournal.com
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