WEST PARIS — Selectmen agreed Thursday evening to sign a letter supporting Tri-Town Rescue’s effort to obtain federal financing for a new ambulance and a cardiac monitor.
The service is seeking a grant of $26,250 for the monitor and a loan of $48,750 for the ambulance. Both are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The loan terms are 3 percent for seven years.
John Hamel of Tri-Town said, “Thirty-five percent of the ($75,000) is in the form of a grant, and it is a great opportunity for us.”
Hamel assured the board that Tri-Town should be able to pay off the loan in less than seven years.
“We paid off the other loan (for an ambulance) in about 3½ years and our call volume is trending up,” he said.
In other business, West Paris Water District trustee Wayne Kennedy answered questions about conducting flow tests for the district’s fire hydrants.
At an earlier meeting, Fire Chief Troy Billings said the town’s Insurance Service Office fire rating would be raised if the hydrants were checked every five years.
“We can make sure that gets done,” Kennedy told Billings and the board.
Kennedy said all hydrants are gravity fed.
He said the only chemical added to the water is “soda ash to keep the pH right around 7.5,” because there are a lot of older copper pipes in the district.”
Town Manager Wade Rainey announced the railroad crossing on Main Street will be closed by the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad one day the first of September for maintenance. There will be a public notice before then.
The Transfer Station will close at noon Saturday, Sept. 9, because workers will not be available that afternoon.
Citing the “lack of continuity” in the town’s Athletic Association, the board discussed the feasibility of paying someone to be in charge of the Recreation Department. Rainey was requested to contact towns for suggestions. The board will consider an appointment and bring it to voters.
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