Cliff Trail rescue

Protecting our community from fire and other safety emergencies is an essential municipal responsibility. As a volunteer with the Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, I can personally attest to the growing challenges we face. Our department is critically understaffed with volunteer firefighters and there are no new Harpswell recruits enrolled in this year's fire academy. I anticipate that the town will increasingly need to rely on municipal firefighters as the number of volunteers continues to decline.

I read with interest the article "More wells running dry as drought grips Harpswell." Once-reliable wells are running dry and water storage systems are becoming more prevalent as "property owners run out of other options." Harpswell's geology makes wells harder to drill and more likely to run dry everywhere, especially near the shore.

I'm writing to support the proposed central fire and rescue station. The benefits from both a cost and service perspective will provide the basis for improved emergency services over coming decades.