Sangerville fire receives $56,000 grant for equipment

SANGERVILLE — The Sangerville Fire Department has been awarded $56,000 from the Gloria C. Mackenzie Foundation of Millinocket to fund gear and equipment. The funds were formally accepted by the select board during a Dec. 30 meeting at the fire station.

The department was awarded the grant about a month ago and recently received the check, Fire Chief Matthew Blockler said. 

The Gloria C. Mackenzie Foundation awards grants across Aroostook, Piscataquis and Penobscot counties.

For Sangerville, the $56,000 will fund three airpacks, eight self-contained breathing apparatus bottles and a tool to be used for vehicle extractions.

“So a big thank you goes out to her,” Select Chair Jeff Peters said in thanking the foundation namesake.

About $49,000 came in from the Gloria C. Mackenzie Foundation the year prior, Blocker said in thanking the organization as well as the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation for the continued support.

In his report, Town Manager Brian Mullis said an application has been submitted for a $50,000 grant through T-Mobile for the town hall project.

Sangerville officials will learn of the application status in February along with that of a $250,000 Maine Historical Preservation grant.

“I am hopeful we can go into town meeting saying we have $300,000 coming our way, it’s a big hope,” Mulis said.

Town Hall Renovation Committee Co-Chair Dennis Campbell has been in the building and he found no leaks after recent rain, Mullis said.

In his grant application work, Mullis has discovered the advantages of having an updated comprehensive plan which would strengthen proposals from the town.

Mullis and Planning Board Chair Blaine Nuite have briefly discussed a comprehensive plan and work may begin soon. A previous document could be updated instead of starting from the very beginning.