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Thank you, Anchor, for your article in June about the challenges facing the new Emergency Services Building Committee (“Emergency services building project faces rising costs, possible delays,” Page 12). Before your article, there had been no information on the project since the vote last June. This is a large capital project, and the taxpayers deserve continuous updates on its status.
Based on your article, it appears the building committee is working diligently to grapple with two major issues: cost overruns and major delays because of the need for Maine Department of Environmental Protection approval of the construction site.
I also want to comment on the letter submitted by Pete Nikitas in your last issue (“Emergency services need broader conversation,” Page 3). He raises some critically important issues.
Will response times actually improve with a new central station? The town has said the current model of three functioning volunteer departments — on the Neck, at Cundy’s Harbor and on the islands — will absolutely be needed to guarantee rapid response. Is there a long-term plan for fire and rescue services? What does the model look like and what will be the cost? How many volunteers versus municipal responders? Are improvements to the six existing structures needed?
As Nikitas said, we should pause and revisit what many concerned citizens requested before voting for a new, $6 million building, which was to spend money on an independent, professional study. It should be efficient and cost-effective to have the consulting firm that did the 2008 fire and rescue study do an update. The update should recommend, in detail, the facilities, staff and associated costs needed to protect the safety of town residents.
I would like to know what other taxpayers think, and I believe an open forum with town leaders would be beneficial at this juncture.
Liz Taylor, Orr’s Island
