Vassalboro select board updated on first responders grant money

by Mary Grow

Dan Mayotte, co-founder and director of Vassalboro’s First Responder unit, updated select board members on grant funds at their May 1 meeting.

Mayotte said after the Vassalboro unit was upgraded to advanced EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) status last year, part of a $17,500 state grant was used to send assistant director Josi Haskell and member Matt Olsson to advanced training school, where both earned high honors.

More money than expected is left over. Mayotte asked for and received select board approval to spend it on two more projects:

— Since the annual Maine First Responders conference has been discontinued, sending six interested members to a three-day conference in Connecticut; and
— Temporarily increasing stipends for volunteers who respond to emergency calls, a use recommended by the state grant administrator with whom Mayotte consulted.

Mayotte said he hopes to receive a larger grant later this year that he and members plan to use to duplicate the rescue unit’s advanced life support equipment. Currently, this equipment is housed at the Riverside fire station; another set at the North Vassalboro station would reduce response time.

Select board members endorsed the idea.

Board members finished two items of continuing business.

Town Manager Aaron Miller shared the latest copy of Trees and Stones: A Balancing Act in Vassalboro Cemeteries. Select board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., summarized the April 28 cemetery committee meeting he attended, during which the document was discussed and changes suggested (see related story).

Board members approved the document, labeling it a mission statement for the cemetery committee, and thanked committee chairman Savannah Clark for her work. Miller plans to post Trees and Stones on the town website, which has a category called “Cemeteries” listed on the main page.

The manager presented the ninth draft of the warrant for the annual town meeting June 2 and June 10, with the school board’s revised budget articles. Select board members accepted it.

Elizabeth McMahon attended the meeting to talk about the Vassalboro Public Library’s 2025-26 budget request. Library officials had requested a $3,000 increase, but both the select board and the budget committee recommend continued funding at last year’s $71,000 level.

McMahon said library officials were disappointed, but understanding. She warned that cuts in federal funding for the state library will affect local libraries; Vassalboro might have to start charging for services like interlibrary loan that are now free.

Miller said a 12-year-old home-schooler who visited his office recently was “a pretty passionate supporter” of the library’s programs.

Miller and board members reviewed a multi-page 2024-25 financial report showing where Vassalboro stands. The manager expects no major cost overruns at the June 30 end of the fiscal year.

The next regular Vassalboro Select Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, May 15.