Fire District No. 1 will get new gear, pay raises, and will start work on two buildings after voters approved all items on the district’s meeting agenda.

Voters at the May 10 annual meeting gave the green light for the district’s $1,052,680 budget for fiscal year 2018. Most of that covers salaries and compensation, and includes $558,500 for on-call firefighters and a contractually-required, $5,000 increase in Chief Brad Ellis’ salary (now $90,000).

Most district officers got a raise as voters approved salaries of $18,000 for the deputy chief, $3,650 for the district clerk, $17,500 for the district treasurer, $2,500 for each of the three Prudential Committee members, $2,200 for an oil burner inspector, and $125 for a moderator.

To ensure the fire station is manned 8 a.m.–4 p.m. every day of the week, voters approved $116,800 for two part-time personnel to support Ellis, who is currently the district’s only full-time employee.

After some discussion, voters also okayed a streamlined version of the district’s by-laws. The updated by-laws haven’t changed, but some items that either parroted or violated state law had been removed, and they are now easier to read, said the Prudential Committee’s John Haran. The position of district auditor, for example, was removed from the by-laws as an elected position because state law no longer allows a district auditor.

Voters also approved $50,000 in surveying costs – half for the current fire station building, and the other half for the old fire station located across the street. It is now used by the Parks Department, but Parks officials plan to vacate in the near future. At that point, the fire district would resume useage. The fire district currently owns the property.

Haran said a plan for what to do with the old building has not been developed yet, but a special committee will be created to involve the community.

“Nothing will be done in the dark,” he said.

The district will also purchase a new pumper and associated equipment via $781,500 in savings. The goal is to replace the current 1994 KME Pumper.

Other items voters approved include $50,000 for the building account, which covers expenses like fire station utility bills; $12,000 for EMT stipends; and $11,000 in longevity stipends. Voters also approved $52,500 for new two-way radios, upgrades to vehicle electronics, and new gear.