By Rebecca Goldfine,Staff Writer

PARIS – Fire Chief Brad Frost said Monday night that the water tank on one of the town’s three trucks continuously leaks.

Frost told selectmen at their meeting that he applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to buy a new truck for more than $300,000, but that the request was denied.

“It leaks water continuously, drip, drip,” he said, and has been doing so for five years despite being patched twice. He said a replacement tank is $25,000.

The truck, Engine 5, is 31 years old, Frost said. And even though it leaks water, it still can can be used to put out fires. He said he will keep seeking grant money to replace the truck, but that if this does not work out, he will approach the town at town meeting.

“Maybe not this coming July,” he said, but possibly the year after.

In other business, Town Manager Sharon Jackson was informed Monday that Paris will be receiving a memorial trust in the name of Jeannette and Albert Soule. Albert Soule died in August. Jackson said the trust is for up to $100,000, and she will learn more details later. Soule founded and organized the Norway-Paris Solid Waste Corp. and helped fund an expansion at the Paris Public Library.

The selectmen awarded the contract to demolish the house at 9 Church St. to Frechette Excavation of Harrison for $5,999, the second-lowest bidder. The lowest bidder was Eric and Betty Richardson of Paris, who asked for $700 and the house lumber. But town officials awarded the contract to a professional excavator. The house will be removed to make way for additional town parking.

Snow removal contracts went to the three low bidders out of a pool of five companies. L&G Excavation of Bryant Pond bid $38 per hour, Gerald Kilgore of Paris bid $45 per hour, and Bedard Excavation in Paris bid $46 per hour. Selectmen chose three rather than one in case their first choice is busy.

Paris received $15,721 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse the town for damage during April rainstorms.

Police officer Joe Cormier had a minor accident with the police cruiser when responding to a call Oct. 19. According to Jackson, his cruiser slid on slick pavement on a rainy night and bumped into the car he was responding to. The crack in the bumper is knuckle-sized and damage is less than $500, Jackson said.

Jeanette Ouellette has been hired as the new full-time clerk, replacing Joan Bean, who retired recently after serving as town clerk for almost 27 years. Ouellette will start Oct. 27.

Claude Rounds has been hired as the new full-time code enforcement officer and will start Nov. 7.