LIVERMORE — Fire Chief Donald Castonguay told the Board of Selectpersons on Monday night that the department needs manpower, firetruck repairs and a door opener for the station.

The department has been having issues with the overhead door for about two years, he said. It stays open, requiring the door opener be hit or turned manually from below to make it work. He said the model is obsolete and no longer meets state code. The new code requires sensors on each side of the door.

Castonguay provided an estimated from Overhead Door Company, which has offices in Portland and Augusta. One option is to replace the door opener at for $1,698.55. A second option is to replace all three door openers for $4,453.65, a savings of about $200 per door.

A third option is to add 36-inch powder coated track guards that are anchored to the floor to protect the door track, and photo eyes. Price per door to do so would be an additional $360.

Castonguay said he attempted to get a quote from another company but his call was never returned.

Highway Foreman Gerald Whitney suggested contacting PDQ Door Openers, a company he has worked with.

Selectperson Tim Kachnovich asked if there was money left in the budget and was told there is about $26,000, which covers all facilities. 

The board thought the work should be done now. After Castonguay said the work could not be done until warmer weather, he was asked to get another quote.

He said minor repairs have been made to the squad truck and Engine 1. When Engine 2 gets back, he will send Engine 1 to have a brake issue looked at. 

Engine 2 is out of commission for three weeks. A firefighter noticed some paint bubbling up by the doors. It is still under warranty so the whole body of the truck, except the cab, is being repainted. Castonguay said the town will save $15,000 to $20,000 thanks to the sharp eyes of one of his crew. 

Castonguay said the department is holding steady but with 18 members. During the day they are stretched thin.

“In 2015 we responded to 65 calls,” he said, and expects that number to increase by 20 to 30 because of calls for medical issues.

The department received a $2,800 grant to be used on forestry issues. A grant application sent out last week, if approved, would be used to replace two trucks with a newer one.

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