While the Town of Montague struggles with a decision on a badly needed garage and what we need/what we can afford, it’s business as usual with the Turners Falls Fire Department. This year, they are asking for $996,000 to purchase a new ladder truck. This is not a good time to purchase a new truck, pending a decision on the DPW facility to increase taxes significantly.
The Fire Department is also asking for $49,772 to finance the ambulance service, plus another $30,000 to purchase and equip a second ambulance. How many ambulances does a district the size of Turners Falls need? The ambulance was sold to the taxpayers as a source of revenue, but every year we are being asked to vote for money to finance its operation.
Last year, the department added two new firemen before they made a position for a deputy chief (he makes 16 percent more than the captains). There are four captains on the force (they make 16 percent more than the regular firemen). At present, there are six personnel in the station during the week days. The contact hours for a fireman are 48 hours in 8 days. They are allowed to sleep 16 of those hours. Turners Falls Fire budget, including ambulance, is over $1 million. Over half the men on the force make $79,000 or more, while some make over $100,000 (estimated household median income is $41,000). Not counting this coming year’s budget, the fire department’s budget for the last four years has increased over 6 percent this year. They have never been subject to proposition 2½.
Please attend the Tuesday, April 18, Fire District Annual Meeting to be held at Hillcrest School at 7 p.m. and make your voice be heard.
Kenneth G. Morin
Turners Falls