LIVERMORE-Selectmen this week adopted a resolution regarding new emergency protocol required by the Department of Homeland Security.
Livermore’s Emergency Management Director Andrew Berry addressed the board, explaining that the National Incident Management System (NIMS) determines the hierarchy of communications that will be followed in emergency situations.
Adoption of the protocol is mandatory for the town to be eligible for future disaster reimbursement and relief programs, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds, he said.
Training will occur within the next six months for town employees, as well as firefighters and emergency responders, Barry explained.
“A lot of the training can occur online, with more extensive training for firefighters” he said.
The selectmen also voted Monday to file a contract objection to the Bankruptcy Court regarding the acquisition of Adelphia by Time Warner. Franchise fees, while not due until Jan. 31, have not yet been paid, it was noted.
The town also wants a condition included in the resolution that Livermore be brought up to a comparable service level with Portland within two years.
“There is a deficiency in cable extensions in the community,” said Administrative Assistant Kurt Schaub.
The filing of the objection is to preserve the town’s power to approve the sale and impose conditions on the resolution.
Mike Simoneau has tendered his resignation from the Planning Board resulting in a second vacancy. On Monday night the selectmen appointed two residents, Harlan Green and David Lovewell who had expressed interest in serving on the board.
The selectmen also discussed the possibility of upgrading the town’s communications system. Livermore uses the same frequency as the Boothbay region and frequently hears their transmissions.
A newer system would weed out these areas resulting in clearer communications. The cost could be somewhere between $500 and $800 per unit, Schaub said.
The town also is making good use of old Engine 4 by voting to trade it in for new fire equipment. Fire Chief Randall Berry has indicated that the value of new fire hose would be a fair trade.
The new hose would cost just more than $4,000; similar fire trucks have sold for around $5,000.
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