NORWAY — Prolific Maine author Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, through their foundation, have donated $20,000 to the Norway Fire Department to buy portable radios.
“It was a real surprise,” Fire Chief David Knox said.
Deputy Fire Chief Matt Buckley applied for the grant two months ago, Knox said, requesting $41,000 to purchase up to 15 portable radios. The $20,000 will pay for seven radios.
Each two-way radio costs $2,781.30 and comes with more than 1,000 channels, Knox said.
There was no funding for radios in the budget passed at last week’s Town Meeting.
“We’re very excited to have this support for our Fire Department,” interim Town Manager Bradley Plante said.
Plante said the town received the check last week, along with a letter describing the grant.
“While we could not fully fund your request, we did want to be of some assistance,” Stephanie Leonard, administrator for the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation, said.
The foundation asked the town to provide it with an update when the purchase is completed, including photos. It also asked the town not to apply for another King Foundation grant for at least two years.
The Select Board is expected to accept the grant at its next meeting July 6.
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