Kennebec Journal
MOUNT VERNON, Maine — Eight residents approved $10,000 in new spending for the Fire Department at a special town meeting Monday.
Mount Vernon Fire Department officials told the town they needed a new $10,000 appropriation from taxpayers to repair a fire truck that broke during the annual pump service test.
During the test, which checked all town fire trucks to assess the functioning of their water pumps, Truck 51 had a wheel bearing break, according to Fire Chief Dana Dunn.
Dunn said the 1986 Ford Pumper Tanker is unusable without repair.
Resident Holly Dumaine questioned the need for the money now, as opposed to waiting to vote on the issue at Town Meeting in June.
“You could be putting the whole town at risk by keeping the truck out that long,” Dunn replied.
Officials of the Fire Department have gone to special town meetings and won at least two other requests in the last two years for extra funds not approved at Town Meeting.
The Fire Department is managed and operated by its volunteer members, and most of its fiscal support is provided by the town.
Selectman Roger Pelton, who is also a firefighter, said the town has contacted the Maine Municipal Association to determine whether the repair could be covered by insurance.
Insurance coverage would depend on the reason for the break, Pelton said. If insurance were to cover the cost of the repair, the town would be reimbursed.
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Copyright 2011 Kennebec Journal