ALBION -- Fire Chief Jerry Keay has opted to forgo his stipend of $1,500 to help ease a funding crunch for the Fire and Rescue Department.

The department had spent about $30,000 of its $34,000 budget with more than six months left in the fiscal year.

Keay said he does not have a problem giving up the pay.

"I'm just a volunteer like anybody else," he said.

The plan that Keay worked out with selectmen Monday night also calls for canceling three sets of firefighter gear -- protective clothing, helmet, boots and gloves -- that had been ordered.

A typical set of firefighter gear costs between $1,800 to $2,000, according to First Selectman Jim Doore, who is a captain with the Albion Fire Department.

Doore said the department also will receive $3,400 in grant money soon and that, too, will help reduce the fiscal pressure.

"The basic outcome of the meeting," Doore said, "is that we have an understanding of where we stand and have a plan to get us from here to the end of the fiscal year."

Keay also is confident his department will have enough money to get through Jan. 31.

"As long as we don't have any catastrophic things happen we'll be fine," he said.

Doore said he does not blame anybody for the tight financial situation.

He said the arrival of a new firetruck -- paid for through a grant -- brought unexpected expenses approaching $5,000.

"We've never been in this situation before," Keay said. "We've never had a new truck before."

The three sets of firefighter gear may still be purchased ultimately.

Keay said to avoid liability issues equipment needs to be updated regularly.

Doore said he is not opposed to making critical purchases.

"The way we left it with the chief," he said, "is that he is responsible for coming to us with stuff that is so important that additional funding is necessary."

Colin Hickey -- 861-9205

chickey@centralmaine.com