WEST PARIS – At the annual public budget hearing, selectmen were asked to consider requests for increases from three of the town’s departments: the fire department, athletic association and the Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library board of directors.
The largest request was submitted by Fire Chief Norman St. Pierre who told selectmen last Thursday that he needs $15,000 more for 2006 to update his department.
St. Pierre said, “In order to bring the department up to date on state and federal requirements, we need to update our turnout gear and continue training for our men. It has been several years since an update has been done and there have been a lot of changes in requirements we have to meet.”
Selectmen Chair James Johnston said, “We have had several chiefs over the past several years and, because of this, a lot of things that should have been done were not done. So we need to look at the need for updating the department seriously.”
The second largest request came from Jeff Shock, president of the West Paris Athletic Association. He said his group needs an increase of $3,488 that would bring their amount to $13,288, compared to last year’s appropriation of $9,800.
He said the biggest need is for an additional $1,888 for mowing the three ball fields on the south side of the river across from the village. He felt the old bid of $800 did not meet the needs for keeping the fields in shape.
The library is seeking an additional $2,500, which would bring it to $18,000, to cover work that is being done to protect the castle-like building from leakage and to bring the building up to today’s fire codes.
Library board chair Rodney Abbott said, “We have added a dehumidifier to protect our books from dampness, added a new bulkhead and had some ceiling repairs done. We also hope to add lighting to the new parking lot and need help with that project. So I would like to request a separate article for the town meeting warrant asking if the people would raise $5,000 to help with that.”
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