CARTHAGE — The Carthage/Wilna Fire District board of commissioners accepted a proposed budget and adopted a new policy at its Sept. 26 meeting.

The proposed 2013 budget is $527,670, which is up 2.86 percent, or $14,655, from last year’s $513,015 spending plan. With the addition of a third full-time driver, employee benefits will add to the 2013 budget.

The board set a public hearing for review of the proposed budget for 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the fire station, 685 S. James St.

The board also adopted a merit incentive policy for sick time in which employees will be reimbursed for unused hours after reaching 600. Depending on the number of hours reimbursed, payment ranges from 0.02 percent of the hourly pay up to 1 percent.

Drivers accrue 10 hours of sick time per month, and Chairman Jon W. Storms said the repayment discourages frivolous time off and cuts down on the need for a fourth driver.

The board also approved head driver Brian J. Draper’s suggestion to change companies to perform preventive maintenance on the trucks.

Northern Fire Equipment Inc., Watertown, estimated service for all three vehicles at $2,320, including filters and fluids and labor. The district previously hired John Bray of Syracuse, but he had charged $3,768 for labor alone.

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