Nearly all six of the city’s fire stations show blaring signs of age and disrepair, and with deep cuts to the Fall River Fire Department’s proposed budget, city officials have expressed concerns about when, and how, necessary repairs will be made. 

During an hours-long May 29 City Council Committee on Finance meeting, it was discovered that funding for capital projects — like station repairs and maintenance, or the purchase of new emergency apparatus — was not included in the budget that was already in a deficit of $5 million in coverage for employee healthcare. 

Dismayed councilors tabled budget talks until interim Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke could present more information. 

“It doesn’t do what it needs to do,” Councilor Andrew J. Raposo said, referencing data pertaining to capital improvements not being included in the budget. “We’re not investing enough into the department as a whole.”

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