Dresden firefighters are requesting a six-percent increase in the department’s annual allotment to address what Fire Chief Steve Lilly said is the need to buy new and more expensive turnout gear.

On Monday, May 2, Lilly presented selectmen with a budget request totaling $56,000, a nearly $3,500 increase over the current year.

“All equipment is showing a three-percent increase per year,” said Lilly. 

The current cost for a set of turnout gear has jumped from $1,100 to $1,650, reported Lilly.

In addition, each firefighter may be required to have two sets of gear because of concerns emerging from a national study showing firefighters have a high rate of cancer possibility from exposure to toxic fumes present at fire scenes. Used equipment must be thoroughly cleaned before the firefighter may return to action, thus the need for a second set, said Lilly.

Selectman Gerald Lilly asked why the department does not use the washers already at the fire house.

Fire Chief Lilly said that washing may not be sufficient to remove toxic material. He said that six sets of gear may need to be replaced.

Selectman Lilly noted that the department had only spent to date $40,000 of its current allotment.

Fire Chief Lilly said that a number of equipment tests plus gear purchases have yet to be made.

“I don't buy anything just because we want it. I just buy enough to do what we have to do and keep our people safe,” said Lilly.

Selectman Allan Moeller said that, starting next year, the board will be budgeting future department requests according to what is actually spent as opposed to the line item amounts carried forward from previous years.

“You will really have to keep good records,” said Moeller.

Selectmen scheduled a budget review workshop for May 19.

In other business, the board appropriated $140 for T-shirts for the running club at Dresden Elementary School. Representing the school’s Parents/Teachers/Friends group Yingying Brown said that the T-shirts for 20 fourth and fifth grade runners would instill pride in their club.

“They love their T-shirts,” said Brown.

Former selectman David Probert brought up the issue of “paper roads,” i.e. roads that have been discontinued for service by the town but still are used by property owners. The Maine Department of Transportation has requested that towns map such roads and either maintain them or give them up to the adjacent landowners.

“It sounds like it would create a world of hurt to the people,” said Probert.

Selectman Moeller said that even if the roads were given to the adjacent landowners that no property further along could become landlocked. A permanent right-of-way would have to be retained, he said.

Selectmen appropriated $300 for Probert to have repairs made to the damaged gravestone of Mary Bailey Twycross. Probert said the grave had historic importance.

The board appropriated $1,500 for Summerfest and an additional $1,000 for a stipend for summer interns at the Pownalborough Court House.

Selectmen said that they would visit town tax-acquired property on Dodge Road to determine whether nearby residents had tried to block access to potential buyers and the town’s real estate agent.

The board asked that a public notice be posted for additional help at the transfer station. Two workers have been sidelined due to illness, it was reported.

Gravel pit issue

Dresden Code Enforcement Officer James Valley confirmed Tuesday that the Appeals Board has decided to return the Condon gravel pit permit application to the Planning Board. Valley did not know when the Planning Board will address the issue. Town Administrative Assistant Judy Foss said that no notice of a planning board meeting had been posted at the  town office. The planning board normally meets on the first Tuesday of the month.