LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted Tuesday to increase the allocation for a comprehensive engineering study and topical survey of the Fire Station by $1,000 to make it $7,500.

A preliminary engineer’s report indicates the station, which was built decades ago, has significant structural issues.

Selectmen voted in December to allocate $6,500 for a National Academy of Building Inspectors inspection and associated cost estimate for repairs or replacement. The figure also included money for preparation of a concept design suitable for obtaining a construction budget and topographical survey.

Town Manager Kristal Flagg told the board Tuesday that she received an estimate from Associated Design Partners Inc. in Falmouth for the cost of the study and cost analysis, and it would be $6,000 and not the estimate she had originally factored in.

The topographical survey is separate and has been completed. She had not received a bill for it as of Tuesday.

To be on the safe side, she asked selectmen to approve $1,000 more to cover the expenses. The board agreed and voted to not exceed $7,500. The money will come from the Fire Department budget.

In another matter, selectmen voted to write off $4,064.66 in taxes on the town-acquired property at 22 Gagnon St. The town foreclosed on the property, which includes a house, last year for outstanding taxes in February 2014. It was put out to bid but no one bid on it.

In other business, selectmen acting in their capacity as sewer trustees, voted to spend up to $5,000 for bond counsel to refinance four U.S. Department of Agriculture loans for the sewer treatment plant. The town is expected to save $138,082.88 by refinancing, Flagg said.

She also told selectmen that a person has been tentatively offered the mechanic’s position at the Public Works garage. The person needs to pass a background check and a physical. There were 11 applicants and three were interviewed.

The three were very qualified, she said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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