Cheshire Fire Chief Says Cost of Vehicle Repairs Over Budget
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi briefed the Board of Selectmen on the $8,500 worth of repairs needed for several vehicles, including Engine 3, that will bust the department's repair budget.
"We came in a couple of weeks ago and found that the fuel tank was leaking on the floor of the apparatus," he said. "We checked it out, and sure enough, the fuel tank was corroded to the point it was leaking."
Replacing the fuel tank on Engine 3 will cost about $4,000, according to Francesconi. Mechanics found more problems with the vehicle when it went in for service, including corroded air tanks, which will cost $1,500 for replacement, and leaf springs that will cost $3,000 to replace.
"When they had it up on the lift, they found that there was three air tanks on the engine, under the undercarriage, that were so badly corroded that it was just a matter of time before they went," he said. "They went to try to get an estimate to replace those, and they don't make them anymore."
In addition to the repairs for Engine 3, the department's rescue vehicle also needs fuel line and brake repairs. Francesconi called the news of the issues "catastrophic."
"The problem is I don't have the money in the budget to make these repairs," he said. "I only have about $6,000 left for repairs that's actually designated to us this year. This year has been really tough on the fleet. Repairs have decimated me."
Francesconi said he is worried about the corrosion in the station and that he is trying to find a solution, including the possibility of sealing the floor. Selectman Mark Biagini said he would prefer to redo the floor entirely.
"I feel that sealing it's just a Band-Aid. But if we plan on redoing that whole floor, we're just throwing money out the door for the Band-Aid portion of it," Biagini said.
In other business, trustees of the Cheshire Library attended to discuss its budget and issues surrounding its director position. Currently, the 17-hour-per-week job is considered a town employee but has benefits that other part-time town jobs do not receive.
The board suggested two options for the trustees to consider: the library takes control of the position and handles the benefits and guidelines, or the director stays as a town employee, meaning the job description would change to align with town employment guidelines.
• The board voted to allow the Water Commission to enter into negotiations over compensation for trees that got cut down without permission.
• The board approved the job description for the new custodian and facilities maintenance positions. Previously, these positions were one under the title of custodian/caretaker.
• The board approved a field use request for the Adams-Cheshire Little League.
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