The $5 an hour raise Alna gave firefighters last year has not yielded more members but likely has helped keep some, Fire Chief Mike Trask told selectmen Feb. 9. For next month’s annual town meeting, Trask proposed a department budget he said was rising for the first time in years. And he and the board talked over a possible new incentive Trask likened to a firefighter retirement plan. He seeks $18,000 to start it this year, or up to $2,000 for eligible members.

A point system based on going on calls and attending training and meetings would determine how much a firefighter earns in the program, which they could tap at age 59, Trask said. First Selectman Ed Pentaleri asked if some of the $18,000 could come from $29,000 in carryover from last year. That is spoken for, in equipment ordered in the past year and not yet received, Trask said. He and Department President Beth Whitney asked for a separate warrant article for the $18,000 item, because it is a new request. 

Trask’s $102,739 budget request, up $17,247 from 2021-22, proposes hiking call pay by $11,755 and truck maintenance by $5,000. Trask said calls are down, but some calls are taking longer. As for truck maintenance, he said the department has overspent on it in recent years. “We need to add money there, because (increased cost) seems to be a trend.”

“I would agree that makes sense, to just plan for it instead of reacting to it,” Pentaleri said.

Whitney noted some budget items are lower this year. Propane is down $500, to $2,500; air bag replacement, down $800, to $800.

Responding to a question from Pentaleri, Trask said the department has a recruitment problem. “Every fire department does. We need the townspeople to join,” Trask said. “There’s a job for everybody.” It would be nice to get some members who would bring down the average age, Whitney said. Pentaleri said the proposed program “really is tailored toward younger people,” which participants agreed the department needs. Trask said the department’s older members agree, too, and support the proposal.

Recruitment takes incentives, Trask said. “If someone’s got a good idea, I’m willing to listen.” A full-time department or an outside one would cost the town more than incentives for townspeople to join and stay on Alna Volunteer Fire Department will, Trask said. The department has about 22 members; nine or 10 do most of the firefighting, he said.

The proposed new incentive ties into Maine’s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), Trask and Pentaleri said. So far, the state is not contributing to people’s plans so funding is up to the towns, Trask explained. Mainelosap.gov states the program rewards firefighters and EMS workers with retirement program contributions that “can be made from” federal, local and state government. “Currently, there is no state funding available for LOSAP, but the (governor-appointed board of trustees) is working on getting the program established to qualify for funding from the State of Maine.”

Trask is asking voters for the same sums as last year for the parking lot repairs reserve account, $10,000, and fire truck reserve account, $35,000.