I am following up on my previous letter (“Questions about central station,” January) to ask more questions and clarify my position about the fire departments in Harpswell.
I support our fire departments and emergency services. In fact, I was taken aback to learn that our three fire departments must raise monies to cover their operating budgets.
However, I believe proper fact-finding and independent research should happen before taxpayers are asked to authorize $5.1 million for a new fire station. From what I have read thus far, this has not happened.
The last significant independent study is 17 years old and needs updating. There has been no feasibility study with accompanying cost analysis to examine the options — a new fourth fire station versus upgrades to the existing three stations. This analysis also should include the cost of maintaining a fourth station. Such a study also should explain which option would better achieve the objective of recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of firefighters.
Two items in the last Anchor raised questions for me: Why did the Select Board vote against funding any additional study on the central station project? Where did the cost figures come from in the letter from Reed Coles and how were they arrived at? The letter states construction costs for the new central station are $5.1 million, in comparison to $5 million to build a new station at Cundy’s Harbor and upgrade the Harpswell Neck station. But it also quotes a figure of $1.3 million for the cost to staff up under the plan from the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.
In short, I support efforts to ensure adequate resources are available to keep the town safe and respond to emergencies. But I would like to see thorough, independent analysis of how best to achieve that objective.
Ellen Glew, Great Island
