That's the time the Eddington Board of Selectmen have scheduled the Special Town Meeting - so make the effort. Because you need to VOTE. It's your civic responsibility and it is your right. Also, if you have children, you need to BE that role model that supports all you talk about when you talk about doing ones' duties (whether it be around the house - you do say to your children, don't you? - or when we look at stories on the TV about our military - or when you complain about our State government or Federal government).
What are we being called upon to VOTE about? Just two quick questions.
The first is to verify the Moderator for the Meeting. (That won't take much time, will it?)
The Second is Whether or Not to take approximately $8,500.00 from the Eddington Fire Reserve Account to use as Matching Funds for the Americorp Grant which will fund an 11 month Firefighter position at the Eddington Fire Department.
I attended the Public Hearing on this matter last Tuesday. (It was the first item taken up before the regular Selectmen's meeting agenda started.) The background of the grant and the benefits to the town were well explained by Eddington's Fire Chief.
- This Grant will enable a full-time (5 days a week) firefighter position to be on duty during days.
- Having this position will enable a faster response to any calls for service. This can be the difference between saving a building or life - and not. Having this on-duty position may contribute to an improvement in the local insurance rating for residents of Eddington resulting in a possible reduction of home and structure insurance for some residents.
- Eddington's response time has been steadily improving because of having firefighters and personnel on duty at the Fire House. The "old system" of a Volunteer Fire Fighting Force is going the way of the covered wagon. It's taking too long to muster a volunteer crew to respond. (This writer also thinks response times can be impacted as homes and structures are being built further out and developments occur.)
- Craig Russell, who has been with the department and is considered the best candidate for the position, is the designated person for the position if the funding is improved. Craig has made a significant commitment to Eddington in that he has recently bought a house within close proximity to the Fire Department. (Craig also contributed significantly to the development to the town's new website - www.EddingtonMaine.gov
- There will be no need to add this amount to the coming year's taxes/2010/2011 town budget because there is approximately $83,000. remaining in the Fire Reserve Fund.
The town hopes to apply for subsequent grants in 2010 to continue the position after October 2010 when the current Americorp grant will expire. This is a matter that should come up during the PUBLIC HEARING before the March 2010 Town Meeting because the discussion of any matching funds should be approved at the Town Meeting. (Apparently residents aren't supposed to have the discussion AT the Town Meeting. This Writer's position is that as long as the Reserve Fund can be used for the matching funds - and as long as property taxes are not increased - this seems to be a good expenditure for the town.)
At the Public Hearing, this writer specifically asked questions and received the information reported in the last (dotted) item listed above. The Fire Chief also stated there had been a good article in the Bangor Daily News about the grant that same day (or the day before).
Because using the Fire Reserve Fund money to match the Americorp grant (1) will not add a tax burden to the town residents, (2) will not increase property taxes in the coming years, and (3) will benefit the town residents by increasing its fire safety and fire response time,
This Writer Endorses the Motion and encourages a "YES" vote.
As always, this writer encourages - URGES - Eddington registered voters to attend the Special Town Meeting and VOTE.
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