LISBON – A $13,110 cut in the Fire Department personnel budget recommended by the Advisory Board would eliminate 10 positions and have a detrimental effect on the department, Fire Chief P. Sean Galipeau said.
The positions, which are not new, he said, include three lieutenants, three engineers and four firefighters. “It’s hard getting two engines on the road in the middle of the day now,” Galipeau said.
All are volunteer positions, who are paid stipends.
Advisory Board Chairman Richard Main defended the recommendation, noting that the Fire Department has been “carrying a surplus,” which was part of the “rationale” used in deciding to recommend a reduction.
Main said the panel took into consideration the “fact that the taxpayers seem to be asking for some sort of restraint in the budget, as Lisbon doesn’t have much of a tax base.”
The Advisory Board is also recommending that voters cut $7,194 in the capital outlay line for the first year lease payment on a new vehicle for the fire chief, said Town Manager Curtis Lunt, who noted that the current vehicle was purchased used and is 11 years old.
Selectmen have proposed a total Fire Department budget of $260,087, while the Advisory Board is recommending a total budget of $239,783. Last year’s budget was $263,753.
The final decision will be made by voters at the annual town meeting Monday night.
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