The Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) unanimously approved its $1.462 million budget at its meeting on Dec. 20 with one member absent.
In addition, Interim Fire Chief Jon Ichesco told the board that CAFA would be getting new fire hose and 14 sets of new turnout gear.
All but about $2,100 of the $18,840 cost for the fire hose is being picked up by grant funding and the turnout gear is currently out for bid and will cost between $2,000-$3,000 per set including helmets and boots. CAFA will be required to pick up 10 percent of the total cost.
Chairman Tom Osborne told the board that contract negotiations with the firefighter’s union have been ongoing, covering “non-economic factors” and will soon move into the “economic ones”. He said another session is expected to take place on Jan. 5.
The fire chief search committee has narrowed the field down of 18 down to three candidates, one of whom is from out of town. The search committee planned to interview the candidates face-to-face on Dec. 21 and hoped to have a list of candidates for the board by the January meeting. Once the names are submitted to the board, it will be up to the members what the next steps will be, he said.
The board also approved the dates, times and place for the first three meetings in 2017. They agreed to continue meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Chelsea Municipal Building on Jan. 24, Feb. 28 and March 28.
In March, the board will re-evaluate the meeting times and dates. The board moved from a 9 a.m. meeting time to a 7 p.m. meeting time to give more residents an opportunity to attend.
Board Member Peter Feeney was absent from the meeting.
