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Ira officials, volunteers discuss $44,450 appropriation for volunteer fire department
Summary
At the informational meeting the board reviewed Article 5 seeking $44,450 to support the Ira Volunteer Fire Department; the department cited a busy year including a structure fire and residents discussed volunteer recruitment and regional consolidation trends.
Mary Richthammer read Article 5 asking voters to appropriate $44,450 to support the Ira Volunteer Fire Department. Dan Perry, Chief, said the department had been “a very busy year including a structure fire in town,” and thanked Rutland City for providing mutual aid during the incident.
Residents raised concerns about regional trends and staffing. Bob Toppin noted federal guidance encouraging regionalization and pooling resources for emergency services and said nearby West Rutland’s staffing dropped from 40 personnel to about 20. Madeline Kerstetter observed the state population is declining and aging, a factor several speakers said affects volunteer recruitment. Board members and residents emphasized ongoing efforts to recruit volunteers and maintain service levels.
The appropriation will be decided by voters at the upcoming town vote; the Select Board’s session was informational.
