Councilor Michael Frett asked why Augusta is now trying to charge Hallowell $100,000 for automatic fire response when the agreement was signed in 2014.

City voters approved a $2.36 million bond package last month, so several projects hinging on that vote are now set to officially get underway, including the city’s new fire station.

City Manager Nate Rudy expects a modest increase in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, in part because more than an extra $100,000 is earmarked for fire services.

The 563-355 vote clears the way for the city to spend $625,000 for next year’s Water Street reconstruction project and $600,000 for the ongoing redevelopment of Stevens Commons, among other projects.

The reconstruction of the busy corridor is scheduled to begin next April and to be finished in mid-October at an estimated cost of nearly $3 million.