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Fire chief proposes mailed fundraiser to sustain volunteer insurance; board narrows rotunda acoustics color options
Summary
Aberdeen's fire chief told the board the volunteer relief fund has become strained and proposed hiring a mailer firm to solicit donations to preserve volunteer life/accidental-benefit programs; the board also selected a short list of light color samples for rotunda acoustics panels to move installation forward.
Aberdeen's fire chief told the Town Board on Oct. 13 that the volunteer relief fund that supports life and accidental benefits for volunteers and retired members has been reduced and risks ending the supplemental program unless funding is secured.
The chief described the long-running program and said premium costs have risen substantially since the program was designed. To avoid asking the town for an immediate tax increase, he proposed hiring a firm (the same vendor used by Southern Pines) to send targeted mailers soliciting contributions. The mailers would include return envelopes and staff would insist on check or cash donations rather than electronic transfers to reduce fraud risk, he said.
"Either this or we raise taxes," the chief said when discussing the alternatives if sufficient fundraising does not materialize. He described the program's core benefit levels (historically $25,000 for accidental death, reduced to $1,250 over age 72) and said the program also can fund equipment or other needs if revenues permit.
Board members expressed concern about soliciting funds but signaled general support for pursuing a mailer pilot while retaining the option of a budget request if needed. The chief said he would supply sample language and make the mailers auditable and tightly controlled.
Separately, staff presented final design samples for installing 32 acoustical panels in the town rotunda to address poor acoustics. Consultants advised against selecting a white fabric (translucent and requiring extra coating); the board narrowed choices to light swatches including "silver paper," "crystal blue" and a sample labeled "tranquility" and asked staff to obtain two or three physical samples quickly to avoid further project delay.
Why it matters: volunteers provide essential emergency services and the relief fund supports life/accidental benefits; the funding approach will determine whether the town allocates general fund dollars or whether a successful fundraising campaign can sustain the program.
Next step: the fire chief will finalize the mailer language and vendor approach and report back; staff will obtain the selected acoustic-panel samples and proceed with procurement once the color is finalized.
