Union — Selectmen voted in a special meeting Jan. 25 to replace the town firetruck destroyed earlier this month. In addition, selectmen voted to extend Town Manager Jay Feyler's contract for three years.

The engine of the Union Fire Department's tank truck exploded Jan. 16 as Assistant Chief Kevin Soule was driving it on Route 131 toward Stone's Auto/Truck Service for repairs. No one was injured, but the truck was extensively damaged.

Selectmen voted to accept $175,000 in replacement costs from the insurance company and to spend an additional sum of up to $35,000 from the firetruck replacement reserve account to replace the vehicle.

Feyler said he expects the truck will cost more than $200,000 to replace with a new vehicle.

He said that while selectmen approved his contract for three more years, they did not adjust his pay. He said they are expect to sign the contract Feb. 7 at their regular board meeting.

Feyler's salary is $54,602 with an additional $5,700 in benefits. He said that remains the same in the contract as it was last year. He noted, however, that the selectmen could still give him a pay increase as part of the upcoming budget process.

It being the last year of his previous contract, they are required to give him notice in January of whether they choose to renew him for another three years or give him notice so he could seek other employment during that last year.

Feyler has been town manager since 2009.