By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
GRANITE QUARRY ó The Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday night to replace seven sections of 5-inch fire hose that recently failed annual testing.
The old hose will be replaced at a cost of $4,000.
Fire Chief David Morris said the failed hose sections had deteriorated from “normal wear and tear” since they were purchased in the mid-1980s.
The money for the new hose will come from the town’s contingency funds, which started the new fiscal year at $45,000.
In July, the Granite Quarry Fire Department had eight structure fires, an unusual number, Morris said. Overall, the department answered 32 calls, including the structure fires, 11 medical responses, one move-up, five false alarms, a vehicle accident, a vehicle fire and five calls for public assistance.
Morris said the department currently has 47 people on its roster, including junior firefighters.
In other town news:
– Maintenance Director Kim Cress said the wiring, sidewalks and rails were completed for the gazebo at Granite Lake Park on Aug. 13. The gazebo passed final inspection and already has been the site for three weddings, Cress said.
– Police Chief Clyde Adams reported that his department investigated 18 offenses, made 10 arrests, investigated two accidents, wrote 50 citations, served 13 papers and drove 15,640 miles in the month of July.
– The Board of Aldermen will hold a called meeting at 4 p.m. Sept. 24 to open bids on the Bank Street culvert project.
– Aldermen approved the sale of a 2004 Dodge Intrepid as surplus property.
– A story-telling event at Granite Lake Park is being planned for Oct. 17.
– Granite Quarry’s front office at Town Hall assisted 293 citizens by telephone and 173 citizens at the front counter in the past month. Of the requests, 20 related to permits and zoning; 26, personnel and payroll; 94, general information; 22, fire department; 57, police department; and 71, maintenance department.
– Under planning and zoning, the town approved two zoning permits, one home addition and one new business (a child care enterprise at 509 N. Main St.)