Voters approve fire truck funds, PACE

NORWAY — Voters at a special town meeting Thursday approved the transfer of $50,000 from the town's surplus account and accepted a $199,500 grant for the purchase of a new fire truck.

The money from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant will pay for a tanker to replace a 1972 GMC tanker and a 1989 Freightliner that was retrofitted with a tanker.

Norway Fire Captain Tim Yates, who wrote the grant application, said that the department has been seeking a new vehicle for at least four years. Both vehicles have major mechanical problems, including bad brakes and "rust that you can poke your finger through," he said.

"Any day we could go in there and the tank could be empty with holes in it. It's one thing after another."

The request was unanimously approved by 40 voters Thursday.

According to Yates, the two old tankers can no longer be used in the fire service. They will either be donated to another department or put out to bid, he said.

Because of the number of rollovers with refurbished tankers, the grant is being used in part to get some of these unsafe vehicles off the street, said Yates.

The new tanker will be much more stable and safe to drive, he said. It will come equipped with a vehicle recorder that will record what's happening should the vehicle crash, a seat-belt warning light, and other unique safety features.

"The new tanker should give us everything we need all in one shot," he said.

PACE

Voters also unanimously adopted the Property Assessed Clean Energy ordinance, which will enable Norway residents of qualifying properties to have access to low-interest loans through the state to make energy-saving improvements to their homes.

The next step is for selectmen to sign an agreement with the state to implement the program, which the state will administer.

"It can help some of our citizens," said Norway Town Manager David Holt, "and I hope they take advantage of it."

Residents interested in participating can contact the Norway Town Office 743-6651.