DURHAM – Selectmen have set a public hearing for June 21 on a proposal for the town to participate in the National Incident Management System so it can receive federal security funds.
The hearing was requested by local Emergency Management Director Deborah Larrabee. Larrabee told selectmen that future U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant applications will require local participation in NIMS. She explained the purpose of NIMS is to standardize how responses to security incidents are handled at all levels of government, and recommended that the town adopt the NIMS resolution after the hearing.
She thanked all who helped during the spring flooding. She said she has written letters to all town departments asking if they had any plans for submitting proposals for the next round of Department of Homeland Security grants.
Selectmen accepted a $5,621 grant from the Narragansett No. 1 Foundation that will pay 75 percent of the $7,495.22 cost of new equipment.
In his report, Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said he is working on the subdivision fire suppression issue with the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and noted that the Fire Apparatus Committee is still reviewing the three proposals received for a new firetruck.
St. Michel asked that selectmen review the proposed ambulance contract from current contractor North East Mobile Health Services before making a final decision. North East has proposed entering a new three-year contract for $2,500 per year.
He told selectmen that paramedic intercepts under the current contract haven’t always worked as laid out in the agreement, adding that other agencies have indicated an interest in making proposals to the town. It was decided to table consideration until the next meeting.
In other business, the annual tax ratio declaration and reimbursement was approved. Assessors certified the tax ratio to be 68 percent of full value for 2005.
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