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Shapleigh officials question York County training center fees, warn towns may shoulder costs
Summary
Selectmen pressed county officials' plan for a York County Emergency Services training center, objecting to a $1,000 subscription and separate student/rental fees that local volunteers fear will raise town budgets and limit EMS access.
At a Shapleigh Selectmen meeting, board members and town staff spent more than an hour debating fees and access rules for the new York County Emergency Services training center, raising concerns that the subscription and separate training charges could shift long-term costs onto small towns.
The clerk said York County offered an annual subscription option of $1,000 as an alternative to paying per-room rental fees (for example, $200 for a two-hour classroom block). "It gets $200 for a 2 hour block," the clerk explained when outlining the county's price list, and she described the $1,000 option as a starting point in the county's proposal.
Multiple selectmen questioned whether the facility would deliver the broader EMS and police training originally promised or primarily serve fire departments. A committee member said the center "is only for fire right now," and warned that volunteer departments could face new costs. Department head Steve, identified by the board as the town's department head for public safety, said some county-run classes (Fire 1 and 2) would be offered through the county and that certain student fees or instructor costs might still apply.
Board members linked the center to broader budget impacts. One participant said the town budget rose "by 34,036" in part because of related changes and closures, and several members said the county used federal COVID funds and shifted programs — including local rehab and shelter services — when creating the center. Those changes, they said, removed local options that had previously reduced county jail costs and provided community services.
The board pressed for clarity on what the subscription would cover: general access to the facility's common spaces versus separate charges for specialized training, burn-building use, or instructor-provided courses. The clerk summarized the county's structure: the subscription offsets per-room rental fees but does not necessarily waive training or student fees charged when the county runs a class.
What happens next: board members said they will monitor the county's rollout, consider writing a formal letter expressing dissatisfaction, and explore local alternatives (including using existing town properties) before committing to subscription purchases or new budget allocations.
