The Goodwins Mills Fire Department, an independent non-profit organization serving Dayton and Lyman, has had a good run of luck on federal grants recently, receiving nearly $880,000 to improve the station and $129,000 for new air packs.
We hope this is a good omen for a plan with even larger public safety and financial implications: A proposal to establish Goodwins Mills as the municipal fire department for Dayton and Lyman.
It’s an idea that is widely supported, but officials in both towns are wary about rushing into anything this year, and we don’t blame them. Like most towns, Lyman and Dayton are anticipating budget difficulties, and the proposal calls for the department to hire another firefighter and a fire chief ”“ doubling its roster of paid staff.
Currently the two paid firefighters, 45 volunteers and the volunteer chief are struggling to meet the needs of the 5,600 residents of the two towns, according to an advisory committee. There is concern that the day may come when there is not enough manpower to handle a medical emergency or a fire.
How much would the municipal fire department cost Dayton and Lyman taxpayers? The price tag may determine whether or not the plan is adopted, but the advisory committee has not yet released figures.
Voters will be the final judge of what the community can afford at a difficult time. This is not a good year for a budget hike, but if the cost is reasonable, townspeople should be willing to invest in public safety.
Lyman voters will get full details at a hearing March 9, while Dayton’s session is scheduled for March 11. A vote is expected in June, and we hope voters in each town find the proposal to be affordable and worthwhile.
— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com or City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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