I watched the public hearing on the proposed central fire station. I recently resigned after nine years as a volunteer firefighter at the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department because of the lack of clarity and leadership from the town on how it plans to support the three fire departments to meet both current and long-term safety needs. The issues regarding the new station are a case in point.
At the hearing, it became clear from many remarks made that some have given up on the current three-station model because of the difficulty in recruiting new volunteer firefighters, particularly on Harpswell Neck. A comment was made that it is not a question of if but when the Neck department will fail.
It sounded as though the new station was a way to replace a failed Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue. Yet the architect opened with the remark that they were asked to design and estimate the cost of a new station to supplement (not replace) the three existing stations. Then maps showing alleged improved response times and coverage were shown. However, these were done with four stations and did not show how the entire southern end of the Neck would be at risk without Neck firefighters.
Taxpayers are now being asked for $6 million (likely going up if tariffs happen) to build the station. Yet the one and only comprehensive, impartial study to define the problems, analyze options and make a recommendation was done 17 years ago. Furthermore, the recommendation from that study was to support three stations to keep resources close to population centers.
Voters should reject this project until that study has been updated and a holistic solution recommended, which might include upgrades to the existing stations and town financial support to staff them to the necessary levels.
Phil Taylor, Orr’s Island
