Four Bourne Firefighter Salaries to be Paid Out of Town’s Budget

BOURNE – The salaries of four Bourne firefighters, paid by a federal grant which will end in December, will be covered by the operating budget.

Town Manager Tom Guerino suggested the town plea for an override to keep them on staff, but multiple residents spoke against that option.

Guerino cited an uncertain federal funding future for municipalities across the country as a primary reason to keep money in the reserves.

But more than one residents’ rebuttal reminded town officials that these firefighters have stuck with the town despite an unclear future for their own job security.

One resident said that an override would not be positively received in a climate where a new school and police department are on the horizon.

Selectman Stepehn Mealy said he is concerned about the sustainability of funding the salaries with free cash for the next few years, but he does believe it will be possible in the short term.

“The grant was funding for individuals that, if they were not there, we would have to pay additional moneys in overtime to fill those slots,” he said. “We are really trying to look long-term at doing this correctly and financially responsibly.”

Mealy said the town is in great shape, cash-wise. Free cash will be needed to fund other projects in the future, he said.

The total cost of the four salaries is around $155,000 per year. New federal guideline prevent the town for applying for another federal grant.

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