West Paris voters OK money for weekday firefighter

With citizens voting to raise $10,000 for repairs, the next step will be getting work started. As of now, Town Manager Wade Rainey said he is unsure of when work will start on the library. Bethel Citizen photo by Samuel Wheeler

WEST PARIS — Money for an on-duty firefighter five days a week, a highway worker and recreation programs was approved at the annual town meeting Saturday.

Voters authorized $109,260 for the Fire Department, which included funding a firefighter to be on duty from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Town Manager Wade Rainey said.

Selectmen and the Budget Committee recommended $84,720, which was $24,540 less than what voters wanted.

The Fire Department budget last year was $95,810.

Voters also approved $14,950 for recreational programs and ball field maintenance, the same amount as selectmen and the Budget Committee. It was nearly $9,000 less than requested, Rainey said.

The Highway Department budget for the coming year is $389,960, which includes hiring a fourth person, likely sometime in May, Rainey said. He estimated the starting salary will be close to $15 per hour.

The town plans to advertise for the position, he said.

Voters raised $10,000 for repairs to library windows.

Selectman Dale Piirainen and Water District Trustee Clay Abbott were re-elected to three-year terms. They were unopposed.

Woodstock Town Manager Vern Maxfield moderated the meeting, which was attended by 52 residents, not including town officials, at Agnes Gray Elementary School.