JAY – The town should move forward to replace Engine No. 3, a 1980 pumper, with a rescue/pumper in 2005, according to a report from fire training specialist.

“This should be considered the advent of a long-range fire apparatus replacement program that could guide the community into the future,” Neil D. Courtney, a specialist from Maine Fire Training and Education at Southern Maine Community College, stated in an executive summary of an assessment of needs study done on the Jay Fire Rescue Department.

Selectmen plan to review the report at 6 p.m. Monday at the Community Building.

The board requested the study to assess the department’s needs prior to the matter of buying a new fire truck at a cost about $376,000-plus is put before voters a third time.

Voters rejected buying the new fire truck two years in a row.

Other recommendations made in the study are to:

• Develop a strategic plan for the fire rescue department.

• Adopt a short- and long-range capitol improvement program.

• Anticipate the next Insurance Services Office fire suppression grading schedule and embark upon feasible improvements.

• Develop a departmental marketing strategy: Justify expenditures, develop mission statement, goals and objectives.

• Implement a proactive apparatus maintenance program per National Fire Protection Association standard, the standard for fire apparatus preventive maintenance program.

• Collaborate with surrounding towns in addressing fire protection needs regionally.

• Implement an automatic aid response program with neighboring communities.

• Consider adopting an open bidding process for capital expenditures.