“Back in Dec., we requested to go out to bid for 50 new breathing apparatuses,” Camp said. “This would be purchased out of the 2014 SPLOST funds, which currently has a balance of $1.2 million.  

Camp says the need for the new gear stems several air tanks getting up there in age.  

“Our department currently has 83 air packs, and 33 of those are around the 2008 or 2009 year model,” Camp said. “It’s the other 50 that we need to replace.”

The town has agreed to purchase the private lot for $785,000, according to Selectman Andrew Spinney. Both parties signed the purchase and sale agreement on Monday, and he said the sale will be close by June 1 at the latest.  

With the John Wise Avenue lot extension in tow, Johnson Roberts Associates Inc., the design firm for the public station project, said a two-story, two-department facility is feasible on the lot. Town Building Committee members at their Wednesday meeting voted in favor of pursuing this option to present to Town Meeting in May.