I am pleased to announce that Methuen Fire Department has been awarded $204,980.00 in stimulus grant funds to re-hire three firefighters laid off due to budgetary constraints. This amount is almost 100% of what we applied for. Of 84 communities who applied, awards were only given to 13, Methuen being one of them. This finalizes step 1 of the 3-step process. Step 1 involved funding for recalling layed off firefighters. Step two involves grant funding for attritioned positions, and step three involves grant funding for overtime lost to budgetary problems. Methuen will actively seek those funds as well. Congrats to Fire Chief Buote, as well as Alison Gublicki from Planning, who helped with the application.

My thanks to Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Tim Murray for their committment to helping to restore firefighters throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.