KINGFIELD — New Fire Chief Fred Nichols told selectmen Monday night he plans to apply for federal matching funds to buy a new pumper.
He also said some portable air packs need to be upgraded or replaced.
“Next year, we’ll have to get a couple new bottles and upgrade a couple to be compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” he said. “Some of the masks don’t have a good seal, even though they’re in incredibly good condition.”
One truck has fender and rocker panel corrosion, and he will look at options to fix that before the next inspection, he said.
Selectmen continued their review of options to rebuild and repair the Tufts Pond Road.
“I’m just wondering whether we should be talking about money before we move into anything more,” Selectman Brian Hatfield said.
Paving contractor Bruce Manzer of Anson and Topsham-based Wright-Pierce Engineering have estimated the town will pay $800,000 to $1 million for the entire project. Wright-Pierce has only provided the engineering survey, and selectmen said they could consider putting the job out to bid.
Selectmen will have to ask taxpayers to approve options for paying for the project. At previous meetings, selectmen debated whether to complete the project in one year or spread it out over two to four years. Selectmen will ask someone from Wright-Pierce to review the information in the 2015 plans and consider inspecting the project as it is being completed by the contractor.
Roads aren’t the only costs selectmen need to consider.
“We need to be thinking about doing something about parking lots,” Selectman John Dill said.
Selectmen have an arrangement with Diane Keoskie, owner of Grand Central Station, to lease several parking spaces downtown. If Keoskie decides to sell her building and parking lot, the town could lose that space.
Several businesses are also tenants in Keoskie’s building, Dill noted, and the Herbert Grand Hotel next door uses the parking lot for their customers.
Selectmen agreed there might be options to secure parking spaces without encumbering the town with the obligation to buy the building, as well.
“If we think if we ever want parking, we ought to at least talk to her a little bit before she sells the building,” Dill said.
Selectmen approved hiring Nicole Shamaly as town clerk and treasurer.
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