DUMMERSTON — Recent events brought the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department closer to getting a new fire station in Dummerston Center.
In the first few days of April, department members removed the equipment from the old station to prepare for the building's demolition. Less than two weeks later, the old firehouse was gone, and blasting began on the rock ledge behind the site to make way for the new station.
Last August, townspeople voted to raise $175,000 in taxes for the much-needed new station, but donations and department members' fundraising efforts decreased that amount to $141,000.
Town Treasurer Charlotte Neer Annis researched loan rates from lending institutions to cover the new figure and brought her findings to the April 26 regular Selectboard meeting.
Annis told Board members Merchants Bank's terms were preferable. The $141,000, five-year loan has a 2.3 percent interest rate, the first payment is due in May, 2018, and payments are made once per year.
The Board unanimously approved the terms of the loan for the new West Dummerston Fire Station, and they authorized Board Chair Zeke Goodband to sign the loan application.
If the bank approves the application, the town will receive the loan and disburse it to the department according to a payment schedule. Money yet to be disbursed will earn interest, Annis said.
The fire department will house Engine 3 at the Dummerston Highway Garage during construction to prevent a reduction in service.