Wells boards authorize study to consider incorporating WEMs into town fire department

The Select Board and the board of Wells Emergency Medical Services voted unanimously Dec. 17 to authorize the town manager to collect information on the possible incorporation of WEMs operations into the Town of Wells Fire Department.

Supporters framed the step as an information-gathering motion rather than an immediate structural change. Speaker 3, who opened the discussion, said the recommendation traces to a study conducted roughly three years ago and a recent WEMs-board motion that passed unanimously and was forwarded to town leadership. "That motion was, passed unanimously," Speaker 3 said, and he asked the town to explore the proposal’s feasibility.

Board members and public commenters cited several reasons for exploring a merger: creating a single command and consistent policies and benefits; improving coordination of training; streamlining operating and capital costs; and expanding access to grants that WEMs, as a nonprofit, has limited ability to pursue. Speaker 3 noted specific financial pressures: "We're estimating right now that it's gonna cost about $46,000 a year for that lease," and later described WEMs' annual operating request as "almost $900,000" with additional capital needs described in the discussion.

Speakers also stressed staffing pressures and recruitment challenges across the region. Speaker 2 said the town's recent fire-department hiring drew significant interest and suggested Wells could be an appealing place to recruit if services were merged. "Wells is a very desirable place to come and work right now," Speaker 2 said, noting that bringing the ambulance operation under the town could make the department eligible for federal staffing grants such as SAFER.

Several participants emphasized respect for WEMs' long history and volunteers, urging clear public communication so residents do not view the move as a demotion of the existing service. "This is not a downgrade on WEMs," Speaker 6 said, urging sensitivity to community sentiment.

Procedurally, the board approved a motion to consider the request by WEMs to incorporate its operations into the Wells Fire Department and "authorize the town manager to coordinate the collection of information relevant to this possibility, including but not limited to associated budgetary and personnel impacts." The motion was moved and seconded and passed 4–0.

Next steps outlined in discussion included creating a strategic planning process to evaluate staffing models, timelines, grant opportunities, and cost implications; speakers estimated the full planning and transition could take a year or more. The town manager was authorized to begin collecting the information described and to report back to the boards; no ordinance change or staffing action was approved at the meeting.

The special joint meeting then adjourned.