EDDINGTON SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - OCT. 6 - RESULTS

As usual, very few people showed up for the meeting. No comment.

All Selectmen and the Town Manager were present when the meeting was called to order promptly at 6PM. The monitor was nominated, seconded and voted for unanimously - the former Fire Chief. The current Fire Chief was approved to speak, if needed. (That vote was necessary because he is not an Eddington resident.)

There were a few questions. One being the same question I raised at the Public Hearing - how much is currently in the Fire Department Reserve Fund from which the $8,900. will be taken to match the Americorp grant (that was the final amount identified last night by the Fire Chief). The answer, provided by the Town Manager was: $81,300.

A second Fire Department fund was identified as well. I didn't write down the amount but it was over $5,000.

The second question requested the specified purpose of these two Fire Department Funds: The answer was: for any large Fire Department equipment purchases that might be needed without having to go to the town budget process. The Fire Chief stated that while he always had a "wish list", there were no large equipment needs at this time other than some hoses that might need to be replaced.

The third question, posed by this writer, was for purposes of clarification and that was to be sure that if the money was taken from the Reserve Fund, the townspeople would not see it added back in the town budget in fiscal year 2010-2011 for tax purposes. Chip Grover was the first to say it would not. Then Brian Glass confirmed that position. Then Chairwoman, Joan Brooks added her voice. Donn Goodwin and Charles Baker remained silent. on the issue.

There being no further discussion, the call for the vote was made and taken. Including the 5 Board members and the Town Manager, plus all 9 residents there to vote - the vote was unanimous to approve the money be taken from the Reserve Fund to match the Americorp grant.