Jaffrey committee previews $3 million fire station bond; no final vote taken

Committee members reviewed a proposed $3 million warrant article to expand the Jaffrey Fire Station but took no final vote on the bond at the Jan. 10 meeting.

According to the meeting record, the bond’s financing plan described paying off a current fire-truck lease early and applying available town funds and donated site work to reduce the amount that would be bonded. Committee members requested details and noted that final consideration of warrant articles will occur at a subsequent BudCom meeting prior to Town Meeting.

The Fire Department’s operating budget was tentatively approved at $587,843, an increase of $31,117 (5.6 percent) largely for salaries, protective clothing and physicals. The record notes the department is recruiting younger firefighters and currently employs 11 per-diem staff. A $6,000 tire request was removed from the operating budget and will be funded from the Capital Reserve Fund if needed.

The committee did not set a final schedule for the bond beyond the standard warrant-article process; any bond would require voter approval at Town Meeting. The BudCom’s next steps include reviewing warrant-article language, updated cost and financing details, and making a final recommendation before the warrant goes to voters.