HOULTON, Maine — After submitting additional paperwork, the town has had nearly all of the federal grant award that officials initially sought reinstated so that they can replace a 36-year-old fire truck at the Houlton Fire Department.
Nancy Ketch, the town’s grant writer and community development director, said Tuesday that the town “was very happy” with the end result of the nearly two month long process.”
Initially, the town had asked for $376,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The town expected to contribute 5 percent in matching funds to buy a new pumper truck for $395,000 to replace a 36-year-old rig that the fire department scrapped and sold for parts.
Ketch said that the FEMA grant review panel had approved the purchase of the new truck, but for some reason only awarded $333,334. Ketch submitted an amendment asking for reinstatement of the full amount, which would bring in an additional $42,857 for the truck. Ketch said Tuesday that all but approximately $2,000 was reinstated.
She said the town council will discuss whether to accept the award and move forward with the truck purchase at the next meeting on Monday, Sept. 11.
The funds are awarded through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which was created to help provide money for fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations so they can buy equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources to better protect the public and emergency personnel.
