Voters at the Onset Fire District Annual meeting blew through the warrant quickly, passing most articles with little or no discussion.

An article that did prompt questioning from district voter G. Michael Besse, was one that funded the salaries of the firefighters at the same rate as last year.

"The chief submitted this and we don't have any qualms at this point," said Prudential Committee Chair Marcine Fernandes.

Besse pointed out that the Board of engineers had made the decision to reduce the number of hours worked by firefighters from 49 hours per week to 42.

"It was up to the Prudential Committee to change the hours, not the engineers," said Besse.

Ferandes said that is one of the reasons the salaries are being level funded for the coming year.

"We did not as a Prudential Committee state that they could reduce the hours to 42," said Fernandes. "That's why you don't see raises this year for the fire department,"  she explained, noting that working less hours for the same salary is essentially equal to a pay raise.

The fire department will be getting a new ladder truck, which will replace one that has been in use since 1972, after the approval of $34,617 in matching funds for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant that is in the pipeline.

The grant has yet to be approved, but if it is the fire department must have the matching funds available.

Voters unanimously approved a bylaw change, submitted by the Prudential Committee, that will take "full and absolute authority" from the chief of the Board of engineers, and give it to the entire board.

The bylaw was changed in 2010 to give the chief absolute authority.

Prudential Committee member Jovina Dean asked rhetorically: "What's the purpose of having a Board of Engineers if the chief has sole power?"

The change in the bylaw means the entire Board of Engineers is responsible for overseeing personnel, purchasing equipment for the department, and taking responsibility for “general superintendence and control” of Fire Department property.

The Onset Fire District annual election will take place tomorrow. District voters may cast ballots at the Dudley L. Brown VFW, located at 4 Gibbs Ball Park Road in Onset, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.