MINOT — Selectmen learned Monday from Town Administrator Arlan Saunders that citations from a recent Bureau of Labor Standards inspection of the Highway and Fire department operations are being addressed and that he has sent a certified response for a hearing on the matter.
The citations in total called for fines amounting to $2,800 for both departments if not addressed by an April 26 deadline showing compliance.
Saunders noted that the Highway Department has finished dealing with most of the citations, which generally dealt with record-keeping and training issues, and is expected to meet the deadline.
Fire Chief Dean Campbell told the board that three of the citations resulting in fines have been addressed, and the rest will be cleared by the deadline.
In other business, Campbell received the board’s permission to donate the old Rinnai heater from the Central Fire Station to the Minot Historical Society. The Society will use the vented propane heater at its new headquarters in the old parsonage house on Center Minot Hill Road.
The board also voted to accept the $5,660 bid from Lebel’s Heating and Sheet Metal to provide a range hood at the Orchard Fire Station. Lebel’s bid was the lowest of the three Campbell received.
Campbell noted that part of the addition/renovation project at the station has to be vented through the roof. Later a fire suppression system needs to be added, as is required in public buildings.
Campbell also discussed his desire to create a capital equipment reserve account for the Fire Department to put aside money for the replacement of Engine 8. If replaced today, it would cost about $350,000 to replace, Campbell said. It is scheduled for replacement in 2021.
Selectmen also awarded the bid to replace the Highway Department’s 2012 GMC pickup to O’Connor Chevrolet of Augusta for $13,475 for a new Chevrolet pickup, with a trade. O’Connor was the lowest of three bids received. Voters at the town meeting approved raising $4,000 to replace the vehicle, with up to $10,000 to be drawn from the highway equipment reserve account.
The board elected Selectman Steve French to serve as board chairman for the ensuing year.
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