The majority of Fire District No. 1's proposed $1,052,680 budget will go toward pay if approved by voters on Wednesday, May 10. Other proposed expenses include $50,000 to have engineers survey both the 10 Bridge Street headquarters and the old fire station across the street, and $52,500 for gear replacements.

The $57,710 increase over the 2017 budget includes $558,500 in payments for on-call firefighters, who make $19-28 per hour. That's a $26,500 drop from last year's same line item, but service isn't going down explained Chief Brad Ellis.

"Thirty-five thousand dollars last year was for the bridge... night-closing duty, but that got thrown out," he said. Following the Padanaram Causeway closing, the department started housing response vehicles on the other side of South Dartmouth for a faster response time.

Another $12,000 is budgeted for EMT stipends, a bonus for having medical response certifications, while $11,000 will go toward longevity stipends, a bonus dependent on one's time with the department.

District officers could all be getting a raise. The proposed pay for deputy chief is $18,000; district clerk, $3,650; treasurer, $17,500; three Prudential Committee members, $2,500 each; oil burner inspector, $2,200; three assessors, $135 each; and moderator, $125.

The budget also calls for $90,000 for the chief's salary — a $5,000 increase over last year — as contracted.

Another $116,800 will help man the station for eight-hour shifts (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) every day of the week. That sum covers two part-time personnel, as the district's only full-time employee is Ellis.

The department is also seeking $50,000 in surveying costs. Half of that will be spent on the current headquarters.

"Down the road, we need to know what can be done," said Ellis. His wish-list for the building includes a second floor, which would allow more office space, a bunk room for overnight storm coverage, and a women's shower facility for female firefighters and EMTs.

The adjacent old fire station is currently owned by the fire department, however the Parks Department is currently using it as storage with the goal of vacating in the near future. Another $25,000 will be spent on surveying that building to see what can be done with it, despite former conversations about teaming with university to have more cost-effective repairs done.

"You got a building that's falling apart. The exterior wall is bowed out," said Ellis. "It's a historic building. You need an engineer."

Gear replacements would include $30,000 in turnout gear; $15,000 for 10 portable, two-way radios; and $7,500 for upgrades to the department's emergency response boat.

The district has also asked for $50,000 to resupply the building account, which has paid for a new heating system, air-conditioning, and office furnishing in the past.

Also proposed, the department would like to take $781,500 from current savings and purchase a new pumper vehicle. This is the only cost that would not be supported by taxes.

"That's not barebones. It comes fully equipped... Scott Air-Paks, hoses, nozzles, radios," said Ellis. "It's pull-in-the-door and ready-to-go."

The district is also proposing bylaw amendments, but there are no changes, said Ellis. He said everything has just been reorganized to make for easier reading.

District residents can weigh in on the budget by voting via a show of hands at 6:30 p.m. at the 10 Bridge Street station.

The 2017 budget totaled $994,970.