Finance Committee Hears About Gardner Fire Department Budget and DPW Improvements
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A report and discussion regarding the Fire Department budget took up most of the meeting. Fire Chief Gregory Lagoy informed the members about staffing levels, overtime expenses, and the possible future request for FREE CASH. Cost of responding to fall brush fires impacted the budget. The Fire Department will be close to full staffing again in January, even after 2 departing members.
DPW Director Dane Arnold and DPW Business Manager Chris Coughlin reported on a request to transfer $800k in sewer retained earnings to sewer lechate pump station improvements. Another request for $150k from water retained earnings would go for water repairs needed for valve replacements. Director Arnold reported that there are over 1000 valves in the system. Plan is to exercise the valves and replace the defective ones. New water main which was grant funded has been installed – it was covered by a $1 million grant.