By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
ROCKINGHAM, Vt. — The Rockingham Board of Selectmen, Bellows Falls Trustees and Saxtons River Trustees will be holding a tri-board meeting regarding a proposal to create a single municipal fire department with three stations.
Prior to the tri-board meeting, the Rockingham Fire Department is holding a meeting of their own to provide information to the public. Officials are stressing the importance of the meeting that will take place on Nov. 22 at the Bartonsville Grange, and are even offering rides if needed.
“All are welcome, any questions please feel free to reach out to us,” a press release posted on the Bellows Falls Fire Department Facebook page stated. “Please, please spread the word and share this post! if you need a ride to attend either meeting please feel free to ask. This is a very important topic that affects all three municipalities.”
The release included information about the proposal for a single municipal fire department with three stations. Financial data is based on five years of actual spending, the release stated, and the insurance information comes from three insurance companies.
“The A.P. Triton study started as a feasibility study to investigate replacing the Saxtons River fire station,” the release stated, referring to a study available on the Rockingham Fire Department website. “As discussions about how to fund the study progressed, it was decided by all three municipalities that the study should look at all three fire departments. The completed study provided several options to improve service, reduce redundant equipment, and share manpower and equipment throughout the town. The town of Rockingham can no longer afford to finance three separate fire departments.”
The release stated that the town pays for all apparatus and equipment for all three departments, meaning that no matter where residents of the three towns live, they are currently paying for all three fire departments.
Information provided shows that the new department will be the Rockingham Fire and Rescue Department, which will provide fire and medical first response, and serve the whole town by using three stations. The release noted that average response times will be reduced by having all fire department members available to be used.
“This proposal has everyone working together, as one, to provide a better, more streamlined department, that operates under one operating procedure and gaining efficiencies by eliminating duplicate equipment for future cost savings,” the release stated. “This will create a stronger, more diverse and well-rounded fire department for the future.”
This new department will be a municipal entity that is governed by the town of Rockingham, and answers to the town manager.
A $50,000 reserve fund has been built into the budget for future planning, and the release added that the groundwork has now been laid for a new, town-funded fire station in Saxtons River.
This proposal offers the option of compensation for all department members and covers both Fire and Medical First Responders. Insurance Ratings or ISO Protection Class ratings will reportedly not increase and will actually improve in parts of Rockingham. This should lead to reduced or unchanged premiums.
The release adds that one municipal fire department will increase the opportunities for both federal and state grants. It was also noted that at the September tri-board meeting, 13 out of 15 members voted in favor of the one department three station model.
There is a proposed total budget of $491,654.11, and if the towns continue to operate as they do, the operating costs are $553,809. This does not include an additional $180,000 for new air packs, which also would not be needed if the departments become one municipal organization.
The project shows that the tax rate for each community would increase by $.04, from $1.2547 to $1.2947.
It was also noted that 60% of the tax revenue comes from the villages of Bellows Falls and Saxtons River, and 40% is from Rockingham.
The model of having one department with three stations was endorsed by the Fire Committee at their June 10 meeting.
Bellow Falls Fire Chief Shaun McGinnis said that this will all need to be voted on by the towns and villages in question, and that the meeting coming up on Nov. 22 will be strictly informational.
A fire department feasibility study done in April 2024 is available on the Rockingham Fire Department website.
Residents of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River and Rockingham are invited to the Bartonsville Grange on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. for the presentation hosted by the Rockingham Fire Department.
The tri-board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. at Rockingham Town Hall.
