SABATTUS – How much is a life worth?

That was the question posed by the Fire Department when selectmen voted this week against buying a second thermal-imaging camera.

The camera, if purchased this year, would cost the town $5,000 – an amount Fire Chief Robert Scott said might not be available next year.

The Fire Department has one thermal imaging camera in its Main Street station but wants one for its Crowley Street station. The cameras allow firefighters to detect people and hot spots when fighting fires.

“We want one in both locations, in case one of our trucks can’t respond in time,” Scott said.

Selectman Rudy Gayton said one camera is sufficient for a town the size of Sabattus. Auburn is equipped with three and Lewiston has two.

“Our two stations are only three and a half miles apart,” Gayton said. “Lewiston has two for the whole city.”

The board proposed waiting for next year’s budget to purchase the camera, which Assistant Fire Chief Don Therrien said is too far off.

“That camera gives us back our eyes in there,” he said. The department was hoping that after receiving federal funding of $82,000, saving the town thousands this year, the price of this camera would be overlooked. “They are trying to put a price on life,” Therrien said.

As an alternative, selectmen suggested a fund-raiser could be held to keep the town from emptying its pockets.

Scott said that if the camera is not purchased this year it will be in next year’s budget, in addition to an increase in hazardous materials’ training for local firefighters.

“The count of people who can actually respond to such an incident is too low right now,” Scott said. “It will involve having someone come in and teach the 16- and 32-hour sessions.”

In other business, town officials said that due to complaints about the trash on the grounds of Martin’s Point Town Park, trash cans and portable toilets will soon be available there.

On Memorial Day Weekend, the Police Department will welcome Patrol Officer Eric Testerman to its force. He has been part of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department since his time at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.