BUCKFIELD — The Rescue Department has received two federal grants totaling $7,051 to buy gear, interim Town Manager Cindy Dunn announced at Tuesday night’s selectmen meeting.

Rescue Department Chief Lisa Bennett applied for the grants, which do not require matching funds. One grant is $4,289 for turnout gear; the other is $2,762 for cold-water rescue gear.

Board Chairman Warren Wright complimented Bennett on her successful effort to secure the money for the town.

In other business:

* The board discussed two concerns about the $1.2 million Fire-Rescue Station building project. First, none of the contractors’ bids included a performance bond. If the town wants one, it will cost $12,500.

Instead of a bond, the town could make periodic payments to the contractor. And Port City Architects of Portland, which is overseeing the construction work by H.E. Callahan of Auburn, has recommended withholding 5 percent from each invoice until the project is completed and accepted. They suggested that with the town and the architects inspecting the work, the 5 percent withholding should be sufficient to assure the contractor meets its obligations. A decision on the matter will be made at the board’s next meeting.

The other concern is the Fire-Rescue Station Building Project Committee wants to use volunteers to remove items from the fire station on Turner Street before it’s demolished.

Dunn said the town’s insurance carriers have said volunteers are not covered by the town’s workers’ compensation insurance or liability insurance. A policy to cover them, with a $60,000 limit, is available at $2.25 per volunteer per year.

Dunn recommended purchasing the insurance for all volunteer members of committees.

Selectman Martha Catevenis asked whether insurance designed to cover committee members performing their duties would cover volunteers doing demolition work on the old station.

Dunn will get more details on just what the volunteer insurance covers. She also will find out whether volunteer firefighters would be covered while removing their gear from the old station.

The 1951 station is cramped and doesn’t meet codes. The new one calls for seven vehicle bays and rooms for offices, bunks, training, storage and a kitchen. Emergency vehicles will still enter and exit the building from Main Street.

* Selectmen decided to enter into negotiations with Dunn to be the permanent town manager. Catevenis said if negotiations fail, the board will advertise the position.

* Newly selected town attorneys Curtis Webber and Jack Conway of Linnell, Choate and Webber in Auburn introduced themselves to the board.

* The board learned that Jason Rowe has sold his interest in Captain Bly’s Tavern. The selectmen approved revising the tavern’s Special Amusement Permit to show partner Mark McAlister as the contact person for the establishment.

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