FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen, for the most part, agreed Tuesday with the Budget Committee’s recommendations.

They tabled making a recommendation on Farmington Fire and Rescue’s budget and recommended less for the Farmington Public Library.

The board and the Budget Committee will hold a public meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Municipal Building only to discuss options for the Fire Department.

Looking to reduce the Fire Department’s requested $411,828, which is an increase of $94,486, Selectman Joshua Bell suggested only one extra per diem person be hired this year instead of two.

Struggling to find personnel coverage needed, fire Chief Terry Bell included hiring two more per diem firefighters in his budget request.

There are two firefighters working Monday through Friday and the request is for four firefighters to work seven days a week, starting April 1. It means $113,568 for per diem work, instead of $43,099 approved last year.

There are a variety of scenarios possible, Bell told the board: Two people working seven days, three people working seven days, or adding a weekend slot.

“We’ll do what you say but there’s definitely a problem,” Bell said about coverage.

“Your speech to the board did not fall on deaf ears,” Chairman Ryan Morgan said.

Selectman Andrew Hufnagel suggested holding a public meeting to discuss potential options before making a recommendation.

The Budget Committee voted to go with Bell’s request without any discussion, Town Manager Richard Davis said, suggesting a joint meeting be held to go back and review the Fire Department’s budget and options. The meeting was scheduled for Feb. 5 to get the warrant to the printer on time.

The board was also mixed on its recommendation for the town library.

Members voted 4-1 to recommend last year’s appropriation of $135,938. Selectman Jessica Berry cast the dissenting vote.

Some selectmen disagreed with the Budget Committee’s recommendation to increase the library budget by $5,000 more than requested.

The committee recommended the library’s request of $138,771 be increased to $143,771 to help with capital improvements, including carpeting, security and chimney repair, items that were not included in the budget, Davis told the board.  The amount needed for capital improvements is about $58,000.

The library’s total budget is supported by its endowment, the town’s appropriation and fundraising, Davis said.

“I can’t support it,” Morgan said. Town departments have tried to keep their budgets down, as requested, he said.

“Town employees are towing the line,” Hufnagel agreed.

A recommendation of $143,771 failed by a vote of 2-3. Selectmen Dennis Pike and Berry voted for it; Morgan, Hufnagel and Bell against.

A recommendation of $138,771 also failed 2-3.

Budget Committee member Betty Jespersen spoke of the library’s presentation and how many more people are using the facility, but selectmen were not swayed.

abryant@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link