NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday reviewed budget requests from the Fire and Rescue and Public Works departments that include a utility vehicle, a squad truck and a street sweeper.

Fire Chief James Ladewig requested $142,388 for a new reserve account to replace low-pressure air packs and bottles with high-pressure tanks that are compatible with those of surrounding towns. The department has 40 low-pressure packs that expire in 2019, 10 packs that expire in 2020 and one that expires in 2022. The reserve funds would be divided equally between the next two fiscal years.

Ladewig also requested up to $44,000 to replace the chief/utility vehicle with either an SUV or a pickup truck.

In addition, he requested a reserve account of $350,000 to replace Squad 1, which serves as a utility vehicle. 

Public Works Director Ted Shane asked for $225,000 to replace the worn-out and costly sweeper on the front of a dump truck to eliminate dust particles from going into the atmosphere.

The board said it may contract for sweeping instead.

Shane requested $50,000 for the bridge reserve account, $100,000 for capital reserves for Public Works vehicles and equipment, and $20,000 for the HVAC/boiler reserve account.

He asked for $50,000 to be put in reserves for the next four years to improve safety and traffic flow at the Transfer Station.

The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking $12,000 to repair, resurface and paint the tennis courts.

The Capital Reserve Planning Committee, in its advisory role to the board, will prioritize big-ticket purchases and capital reserve account requests.

The board agreed to endorse the Maine Department of Transportation plan to add lights and signs at Route 4/100/202 and the Short and Long Bennett roads next year. The town agreed to pay for the electricity.

There have been fatal accidents at the intersection in recent years. 

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