Finance Committee Fire Subcommittee reviews $140,000 budget increase
Finance Committee Fire Subcommittee reviews $140,000 budget increase. Fire Chief Thomas Purcell presented the fiscal 2026 Fire Department request, which totals $140,382.09 more than the previous approved budget, a 1.79 percent increase. Personal services account for $100,382.09 of the increase,
Finance Committee · Meeting of February 11, 2026
WAKEFIELD — Finance Committee Fire Subcommittee reviews $140,000 budget increase. Fire Chief Thomas Purcell presented the fiscal 2026 Fire Department request, which totals $140,382.09 more than the previous approved budget, a 1.79 percent increase. Personal services account for $100,382.09 of the increase, including step raises and promotions; contractual services rose $14,060.00 and materials and supplies increased $10,050.00.
The department also requested $189,000 in capital outlay, including $118,690 for two replacement command vehicles and $61,372.27 for a new utility truck. The department is currently down five firefighters but expects to restore full staffing to 55 positions as four academy recruits complete training and one additional recruit enters the academy in June.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 329 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of February 11, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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