[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6536687,"mediaKeyId","3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0","parentId",3731118,"title","Commissioner: Sullivan’s Ledge Superfund plant is running but needs study; upgrades to meet modern contaminants could cost millions","audioSeconds",1151,"startMs",3624000,"endMs",4775000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0&start=3624&end=4775","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0/thumbnail_3624000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536687/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Commissioner-Sullivans-Ledge-Superfund-plant-is-running-but-needs-study-upgrades-to-meet-modern-contaminants-could-cost-millions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536687-54d869c0734664e0c6138eeb51bad3e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=Ns5RCOthcW2RcS4SOPuOnsUf8RWdS8L3JkbqNWJbt4BXxSJ9hHFV7ax4IdJWTy0aM27J50AQ8r5Ab5LwaoU1jB3OJ6VtjGzX8PpO2XoFDmYjVMKp5Ba8~BhGnzDtrlN89Z2VA2QNAt3V6YKvR78StZJm2DHOtFdvADZ1vBgk9LWddcKTmC2kjMXRNwIZ6gQog2CdrXdXyHhEjdww2lVVFEVu3UWIjoiTM982aFFBuKhltP-NqEveTyRAgT8H3FsLEHIxrFtlCcHulmbHjTx3afySLoEkRzaNrJaVYj9nePKPrNsne7BifDra1nCv-3s237q05OAf-9g~KerdMwhPag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Bedford","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioner Jamie Pont told the council Sullivan’s Ledge — a Superfund site operated by the city — is currently operational but under study to determine whether upgrades will be required to address emerging contaminants and to replace aging infrastructure.

Pont said the plant was suspended in a previous period after testing and later restarted to ensure the system continued to capture and treat subsurface plumes; he said the site is monitored and currently performing “at 100% for what it was intended to do.” The commissioner and councilors discussed the site’s cap, monitoring wells, pump and extraction systems, and a consent‑decree escrow account historically used to pay for certain plant upgrades.

Why it matters: Sullivan’s Ledge is a Superfund site with a consent decree that governs operation and maintenance. Pont told the committee a study is underway to estimate the cost to modernize the facility — including possible treatment for PFAS and other emergent contaminants — and that costs for rebuilding or significant upgrades would likely be in the millions.

Key details
- Current operations: Pont said the system is operational and monitoring wells around the site are in place; earlier suspension and restart were driven by testing and regulatory review.
- Upgrade study: The department has commissioned a study to evaluate options and costs for rebuilding or upgrading the treatment plant; Pont said incorporating treatment for emergent contaminants such as PFAS would increase scope and cost.
- Consent decree escrow: Pont said an escrow account tied to the consent decree exists and has been used historically (for SCADA upgrades and other work) with agreement of the Superfund parties; the budget shows a small escrow payment line item and a $20,963 on‑site repairs line for required operations and maintenance.
- Vegetation and site maintenance: The site is capped; vegetation management is required to ensure cap integrity and drainage trenches must be maintained so stormwater does not cause problems. Pont said staff are working to correct a trench overflow that sends water toward Hathaway Road.

What councilors asked: Councilors sought estimated upgrade costs (Pont said “not cheap” and likely in the millions), clarification of escrow uses and whether federal funding sources could be pursued. Pont said the Superfund group remains a party to the site and that the city would explore funding avenues once the study produces cost estimates.

Ending
Pont asked for council patience while the study proceeds and noted the city will follow the regulatory agencies’ directions; councilors urged staff to pursue federal and Superfund avenues for funding rather than relying solely on local taxpayers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Bedford - Quasi Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearings - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Jamie Pont said the Sullivan’s Ledge treatment plant is operational but under study to estimate the cost of upgrades needed to address modern contaminants such as PFAS; he warned those upgrades could cost millions.","taxTitle","New Bedford City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",5758,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536701,"Acting police chief urges council to keep staffing and fund records, body‑camera support in FY26 budget",2385,245000,2630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0&start=245&end=2630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6536701/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Acting-police-chief-urges-council-to-keep-staffing-and-fund-records-bodycamera-support-in-FY26-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536701-83635a9f2c43717e2fdd926cc45dfa80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=f5rtcIP-3X9w7qZB5BpDDFOYlx7A0FF5fgvpPh75Xrerbunqb2~rjWCCi145hgJmhshbMJBt~BKigXUfgOIMjgAToemS0TYxPO1pzwl8sRq1A7kLstWXiAT71ssAHQ9-qdNLsC3xmAKoV7EcrTRRVONp1Gndky7pqc8Fg5uZN1S416lSuTKZxJGXutGF9pKDhNExWWnsVYpm-TG9sowSaa1lgH0h6OmqbUmO0s4nBpAbrnT6DiqQbguaZilo-tSf28cseKdcXfav9DxJ7BQ5~LKFvSXwKECNWSgjrhvVLIDbjgBbVulVtEuxHFGJdnOo9puxIjiDkkIQ~rL0cGtpbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting Chief Derek Belong told the City Council budget committee that the Police Department is recruiting more officers under a new Massachusetts hiring pathway and asked the council to preserve funding to reach a 230‑officer complement while the department continues to manage staffing shortages and rising public‑records demands.

Belong said the FY26 proposed budget includes $150,000 for sign‑on bonuses intended to recruit up to 30 officers toward a funded complement of 230. He said the department currently has 204 sworn officers and expects nine recruits to start in the academy this fall and additional hires in background checks that should bring the force closer to 220 in early 2026.

Belong stressed that the department has “rolled out” body‑worn cameras in September 2024 and that the cameras have increased public‑records workload. He told councilors the department requested a full‑time staff position to handle public‑records requests related to body‑worn camera footage and an associate solicitor (budgeted at $94,213) to provide daily legal support to the department.

Why it matters: Councilors pressed Belong on how the department will control overtime, handle technology and legal workload, and whether new hiring practices will affect training standards. The items Belong described — staffing levels, camera rollout, public‑records processing and legal support — affect how the department responds to calls for service and how quickly it can deliver records and comply with state and federal requirements.

Key details
- Recruitment & complement: Proposed FY26 includes $150,000 for sign‑on bonuses aimed at hiring roughly 30 officers to restore the funded complement to 230. The department reported 204 sworn officers at the time of the meeting; nine recruits are due to start the academy this fall, with more in background checks. Belong said the new Massachusetts pathway allows faster hiring outside the traditional civil service list while still requiring civil‑service steps once a conditional offer is made.
- Dispatch positions & savings: The proposed budget eliminates seven dispatcher positions for projected savings of $349,673; Belong confirmed the department is not currently interviewing for those seven positions.
- Records and legal support: With the body cameras online, Belong described a marked increase in public‑records requests for camera footage and police records. He requested a position to manage records work and an associate solicitor (annual salary figure in the budget: $94,213) so the Solicitor’s Office is not the sole handler of camera redaction and legal review.
- Camera rollout & contracts: Belong said body‑worn cameras rolled out in September 2024 and that camera program support shifted line items between contractual services and equipment rental in the FY26 budget. He named Axon as the body‑camera vendor and described an anticipated increase in maintenance/equipment rental because of the payment structure.
- Technology subscriptions: Belong defended continuing the ShotSpotter (gunshot detection) contract at roughly $157,000 a year, saying crime analysts have improved the system’s efficiency and accuracy.
- Training & grants: Belong noted receipt of an “Abby Hahnold Grant” to bolster domestic‑violence outreach and said the department is pursuing mental‑health and post‑traumatic growth training for staff. He described hybrid patrol vehicles recently purchased for fleet modernization.
- Overdose response & outreach: Councilors asked about a projected increase in Narcan use and related calls; Belong said much of the overdose response is covered by grant funding and emphasized that increased Narcan use can indicate more lives saved while overdose deaths decline.
- Grants/overlap with health: Belong and councilors discussed an EAPS (Health Department) grant that had proposed adding patrol officers and a clinician; he said the grantor limited how overtime and rank would be compensated and that the department advocated for a more equitable distribution but could not change the grantor’s terms.

What the council asked and what remains unresolved
Councilors sought more granular line‑item data on differential salary impacts if the department expands a class of recruits, clarification of maintenance and contractual increases (particularly for camera support), and a cost figure for the department’s requested associate solicitor and public‑records specialist. Belong said the department would provide the requested breakdowns and coordinate with the city’s budget and personnel staff.

Ending
Belong asked the council to maintain the proposed staffing funding and the new legal/records resources to allow the department to process the volume of body‑worn camera requests and reduce the burden on the Solicitor’s Office. Several councilors said they would return with follow‑up questions; no formal votes or final budget decisions were recorded at the hearing.

","Acting Chief Derek Belong told the City Council budget committee that the Police Department is recruiting more officers under a new Massachusetts hiring pathway and asked the council to preserve funding to reach a 230‑officer complement while the department continues to manage staffing shortages and rising public‑records demands.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536692,"Public‑works commissioner defends NB Connect rollout, highlights staffing gaps and streetlight pilot",312,3144000,3456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0&start=3144&end=3456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0/thumbnail_3144000.jpg","/articles/6536692/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Publicworks-commissioner-defends-NB-Connect-rollout-highlights-staffing-gaps-and-streetlight-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536692-4d92894da8eec57d48f40f72d44c43c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=F2dR~nm4vPsuOYAtBv5Uy5u5dACA3cOjmujRLRTU~oiEbB9J9dsjZje5kUhDf-IFz3WUsZFysR0NCV75fbGzHu5On1nVV7zUDje61iMdOdrx65sT9WW6E2pDhSqnWgkwx8K4nEGnR6bjq6fDHzbqnbiFnCBUabTmbXeUpisXlGshCZLouMVZbnJ4yaeI8VCrX2MbMI8CAHm826HpfO-Y6E7JP6xwu41JTSAboXb4hIuXRnN63tmQtzl0qsZ15nA0e~5Cabm2x2yldxwKzCoqWk~8QGpM5UIHSya-4L3Cn~TDnXsXzJb1YgkSXCUX5gkRi3y~TPXbZibWICCzgyjHsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner of Public Infrastructure Jamie Pont told the council the department has moved to an NB Connect platform to handle resident service requests, expects to retire SeeClickFix “in the very near future,” and is tracking monthly sign‑ups. Pont described the new platform as more automated and better at routing work orders to the correct crews.

Pont and councilors also discussed long‑running vacancies across DPI and Highway — notably CDL truck drivers and specialized trades such as electricians and a supervising civil engineer — that the department says hinder routine maintenance and response capacity. The commissioner cited CDL vacancies and other trade gaps as among the largest operational constraints.

Why it matters: DPI handles parks, cemeteries, potholes, signals, streetlighting and right‑of‑way oversight. Commissioners and councilors focused on whether project management is distributed efficiently between DPI and Parks & Recreation for capital work in parks, how pocket parks and Groundworks activity are coordinated, and whether contracting out green‑space maintenance (currently budgeted at $153,985) is saving operational staff time.

Key points
- NB Connect and SeeClickFix: Pont said NB Connect’s automation reduces manual routing required under SeeClickFix and that the city is decommissioning SeeClickFix after extracting necessary data. He said NB Connect’s annual contract was listed as an hourly measure in the budget with an annual amount of $16,000 and that SeeClickFix had an annual fee of about $4,000 that will end. Pont said NB Connect signups have periodic surges after outreach and that staff will continue public information work to increase uptake.
- Staffing shortages: Pont identified CDL drivers and electricians (including for traffic signals) as difficult positions to fill and said some positions requiring degrees or specialized training (e.g., supervising civil engineer) draw few applicants. He reported multiple long‑term vacancies across DPI’s portfolios and that the department sometimes outsources signal/electrical work to contractors.
- Green‑space contracting: Pont said the city began a pilot to subcontract certain landscaping and pruning work to preserve core staff capacity during heavy seasons and that those contracts are bid annually. The current green‑space/landscaping line in the DPI budget was $153,985; he said the pilots began smaller and expanded after initial success.
- Streetlight pilot: Pont described a proposal to pilot smart streetlights that can report outages and allow remote dimming or brightening. He said the city currently pays overtime for staff to drive a grid at night to locate outages and that a smart‑light system could reduce that need. Funding for a full upgrade in the past was handled through borrowing but future funding sources are under study.

What council asked: Councilors requested a written breakdown of which parks projects are managed by DPI versus Parks & Recreation, a user‑comparison between SeeClickFix and NB Connect, the NB Connect sign‑up statistics, and more detail on vacancies and trades recruitment. Pont said he would supply those materials.

Ending
Pont said DPI will continue to advertise NB Connect, pursue targeted outreach to increase adoption and return department staffing and contract details to council in follow‑up. No formal policy change or procurement award was voted at the hearing.","Commissioner Jamie Pont told the council the Department of Public Infrastructure is moving from SeeClickFix to NB Connect to automate work orders and routing, and said longstanding vacancies and trade shortages (CDL drivers, electricians, supervising civil engineer) are constraining operations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536682,"Council hears increases in water and wastewater budgets; commissioners point to regulatory and energy costs, request follow‑ups",532,4794000,5326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0&start=4794&end=5326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0/thumbnail_4794000.jpg","/articles/6536682/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Council-hears-increases-in-water-and-wastewater-budgets-commissioners-point-to-regulatory-and-energy-costs-request-followups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536682-f1cc88b21daadce6d83cd6e33d2383df/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=KNU8aNw5YkBXwpNE59RK4cNZJePUITrIcbzKTNmMdjnfBN9WVAj5hFYM1YM0BZ3ChJoH0bFgZSXBe9sR~yex7vDQqe1n4-3Lc0zQzmdrWGAEHQ8DakOx-M7210i6FCgzIlBNk1gmaCgUZUW7Rea2SKQuccof1Dm8a9Jnq2peu2hokSLnLOMN5bHleM4c478c2vP51lHw2F1uLTheuMEvc~WEmxO9ILc4V8I7ca-2q49zXryKrXC1VmOSW7eDScDdBYbuhRigDrW5x3sDa6Bgs2I0Yz3slbbq5ZOUuBOYpGbnZbkiYlQ61kouLjtEHA1z5TlFovLfAQcLajI-o1QXuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DPI officials briefed the council on wastewater and water enterprise budgets, citing higher costs driven by regulatory compliance, contracted services to meet federal and state administrative orders, increased energy costs at pump stations and ongoing capital needs.

Wastewater: Director noted the wastewater budget includes increases tied to contracted services needed for permit compliance, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, and general price inflation for goods and services. The wastewater budget included a 3% vacancy‑savings assumption in the presentation.

Water: Commissioner Pont and staff described the water division’s responsibilities (treatment, distribution, hydrant and valve maintenance, meters and billing) and said the water enterprise budget also includes a 3% vacancy‑savings factor. Councilors raised two recurring issues: a notable projected increase in electricity costs in both enterprise funds and low paperless‑billing uptake.

Why it matters: Enterprise funds fund services by user fees rather than the general fund, and increases can translate into rate actions. The council heard that a five‑year rate structure set by the Water Board includes an 8.5% increase for the current year. Councilors requested a breakdown of electricity estimates, solar credit entries and postage/printing charges tied to bill production. Councilors also pressed for enrollment figures for paperless billing and suggested integrating digital billing options into NB Connect outreach.

Key details
- Electricity/solar credits: Councilors asked the energy manager and DPI to explain why electricity lines rose in the wastewater and water budgets while other city electricity estimates were trending down. They also asked why solar credits appear to have declined in the budgets and requested a reconciliation.
- Printing/postage: The wastewater billing/printing line showed historical spending around $80k–$87k but the proposed budget listed $134k (a contracted printing/postage arrangement with a vendor was referenced). Staff said some printing went in‑house during the year and that the contractual amount is budgeted in full for FY26.
- Rates and reserves: The water board had a multi‑year rate schedule; staff said the current year’s step is 8.5% and that last year’s board action had reduced an originally proposed increase. Staff said the water enterprise has healthy free‑cash reserves but that multi‑year capital and debt service obligations drive rate decisions. The water budget is budgeted for roughly 93 positions with about 15 vacancies noted on the personnel snapshot; staff said hiring is in progress for several trades and the water‑treatment step hire is ongoing.

Follow ups requested by councilors
Councilors asked for: (1) electricity reconciliations and explanation of solar credit changes, (2) a print/postage and billing volume breakdown, (3) paperless‑billing enrollment numbers and outreach plans, and (4) historical overtime budgets (fire was asked for overtime history and water/wastewater for comparative context). Staff agreed to supply these items.

Ending
Commissioner Pont asked for council support to fund regulatory obligations and capital maintenance; councilors asked for the requested breakdowns to assess whether rate or budget adjustments are necessary.","City officials said wastewater and water enterprise budgets face upward pressure from regulatory compliance, contracted services and energy costs and that the water board’s multi‑year rate plan includes an 8.5% step for the current year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536697,"Fire chief says grants and equipment purchases helped reduce overtime; requests administrative data role for inspections and risk scoring",2574,2638000,5212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0&start=2638&end=5212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3731118-d30d1cd854f9c3c806c80fc4fda411d0/thumbnail_2638000.jpg","/articles/6536697/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fire-chief-says-grants-and-equipment-purchases-helped-reduce-overtime-requests-administrative-data-role-for-inspections-and-risk-scoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536697-c7c9086a177e7bc6b0284dfa5b8bf430/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445291&Signature=TS9GfE0ECo4jb2g1c7OwSuWY8ZtZ03s3zIPtzbbT8hUZE0P2yNkCLtrgb-X~MjeBxvrjRG5LohEwnUKbvZk14~iiyMAUF8zOrpZ8lev3M4lxX9EhLbA~Rx2KwXkHIsS7i-S9bCXRbBCTvukGFsC2~t~IcDdX401tiiIF11i5tFgUufRfYqfkFf-hPe4xZjx776aOMBFf-swq8hWU6wMpNI3jEItYLS~HS830FcrNIsP670WerkiS5EgoPvdpJ8h9n7TYTce~ASzSjdMq6W1joLsuMD7XesIdmNv7ja2E5dCyyRD7QpC-oFnjymHRCFy3cG2kx9dONJC1syZXmMWcdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Kevin Krueger told the City Council budget committee the fire department managed its FY25 budget while using grants and capital funding to upgrade apparatus and training, and he urged the council to fund several one‑time needs and a reclassification to build a data and inspection capacity.

Krueger said FY25 saw record apparatus delivery — three new engines and a new ladder truck — paid in part through capital improvement funding and grants. The department received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to fund NFPA fire‑officer training (about $209,000 grant with a 10% local match of $18,595), Massachusetts Department of Fire Services firefighter safety equipment grants (about $62,500), a $35,000 hazardous‑materials training award from a federal securing‑cities grant, and a $3,013,300 education award supporting the SAFE (school and senior) programs.

Krueger asked the council to approve converting one vacant firefighter slot into an administrative manager/data analyst position to sustain a data‑driven “scorecard” approach to prioritize high‑risk multi‑family properties, reduce nuisance alarms and target community education. He told councilors the department’s new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) incident reporting system will require staff capacity for data analysis and consistent inspections.

Budget details and notable items
- One‑time requests: Hydrostatic testing for breathing air cylinders (150 cylinders at $50 each, $7,500), replacement of aging portable radio batteries and handheld mics (roughly $15,530), and the 10% match for a federal firefighter training grant ($18,595). Krueger said the radio batteries are reaching end of life and can affect on‑scene communications.
- Grants and capital: Chief Krueger described multiple grants that paid training and equipment costs for FY25 and capital funding for vehicle acquisitions. He identified a $550,000 award from the 2022 Massachusetts transportation bond for a specialized rescue vehicle and equipment to support passenger‑rail incidents.
- Staffing: No net new positions were requested; instead the department is asking to transition a vacant firefighter position to an administrative manager/data analyst to build sustainable inspection, nuisance‑alarm reduction and community education programs. Krueger said the department has roughly 80 firefighters with five years or less experience and that training for newly promoted officers is essential.
- Overtime and vacancy savings: Krueger said proactive recruitment and academy scheduling reduced the department’s reliance on overtime in FY25 compared with earlier pandemic years, but he cautioned that overtime needs remain variable because of injuries and multi‑alarm incidents. The department’s FY26 overtime request reflects historical practice and known training needs.

Why it matters: Krueger framed the administrative/data role as an investment that leads to fewer fires, less apparatus wear and tear, lower fuel use and better prevention via targeted inspections and community education. Councilors asked for clarity on recurring costs (e.g., hydrostatic testing every five years) and for overtime historical data. Krueger said the department will continue aggressive grant seeking and expects to meet the FY26 target if the proposed budget is maintained.

Ending
Krueger closed by asking council support for a level‑fund FY26 budget that includes the described enhancements; councilors requested overtime history, salary and vacancy comparisons and other supporting data for follow‑up.","Fire Chief Kevin Krueger told the council the department used federal and state grants in FY25 to fund training and apparatus, is seeking a reclassification of one vacant firefighter position into an administrative manager/data analyst to run a risk‑based inspection program, and described several one‑time equipment needs in FY26.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner: Sullivan’s Ledge Superfund plant is running but needs study; upgrades to meet modern contaminants could cost millions

Acting police chief urges council to keep staffing and fund records, body‑camera support in FY26 budget

Public‑works commissioner defends NB Connect rollout, highlights staffing gaps and streetlight pilot

Council hears increases in water and wastewater budgets; commissioners point to regulatory and energy costs, request follow‑ups

Fire chief says grants and equipment purchases helped reduce overtime; requests administrative data role for inspections and risk scoring