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Coventry council hears lengthy debate on possible municipal fire department after commission report
Summary
The council received a 28‑page Municipal Fire Commission report and heard hours of testimony from firefighters, union leaders and residents about whether to convert four independent fire districts into a single municipal department; supporters cited response‑time and staffing shortfalls, opponents urged a voter referendum and more detailed financial analysis.
The Coventry Town Council on Tuesday heard a detailed presentation from the Municipal Fire Commission and more than two hours of public testimony about whether the town should replace four independent fire districts with a single municipal fire department.
The commission’s 28‑page report summarized a 10‑month study of options including the status quo, a consolidated quasi‑public district and full municipalization. Town Manager said the council has the charter authority to create a municipal department and emphasized public safety as the primary concern: "Public safety, I believe, is job 1 for the town council." (Town Manager)
Why it matters: Firefighters and union leaders told the council the town’s staffing levels and station closures have reduced on‑scene manpower, producing long response times and, they said, at least one preventable fatality in recent years. Lieutenant McCann, representing frontline staff, said the department once had about 80 full‑time firefighters; current staffing of about 55 leaves gaps when multiple calls occur. "The runs have increased, but the staffing has not," he said, urging consolidation to restore interoperability and grant access.
What supporters said: Several chiefs and longtime firefighters described incidents where limited staffing left responders arriving alone or with insufficient crews. They argued municipalization would allow a single chief, unified scheduling, easier mutual‑aid coordination and stronger grant competitiveness. "Continuity and interoperability" and larger staffing pools, witnesses said, improve safety and lower long‑term per‑employee costs.
What opponents and residents said: Board members and many residents — particularly from Western Coventry — warned that converting to a municipal model would raise their fire tax bills substantially. Multiple speakers asked the council to publish a clear one‑page summary showing: (a) the projected tax impact for each area; (b) what district debts, pension liabilities or capital needs the town would inherit; and (c) short‑ and mid‑term staffing and facilities plans. One resident calculated an approximate annual impact of about $323 for her house and urged full transparency and voter involvement.
Next steps: Council members asked the commission for a concise executive summary and a timeline of what could be accomplished in the next year and in 18 months if the council chose municipalization. Several councilors also raised the prospect of a public referendum to let voters decide, and asked staff to compile missing financial attachments referenced in the commission materials (audits and district asset lists).
The meeting did not include a vote on municipalization. The council extended the meeting to continue public comment and agreed to follow up with additional materials, including a short, plain‑language budget impact summary and the dynamix/audit attachments for public review.
