BURRILLVILLE – An issue that went before village voters twice over two months was rejected more decisively the second time around this week, with the public not sold on a proposal that would have staffed another rescue truck in the Pascoag Fire Department.
The question was first placed on a ballot – along with several other district-related issues – at a special election on Monday, March 23. It failed to gain approval of a two-thirds majority during that initial referendum by just a few votes, with 27 village residents in favor of authorizing the additional staffing and 17 against the proposal.
At the time, Pascoag Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Jim Richard said he would likely bring the question back due to the close outcome. The goal, Richard told NRI NOW, was to decrease the department’s response times, with the revenue generated from runs to cover some of the cost.
He did so on Monday April 20, at a special meeting where a vote that would have authorized the board to make the staffing change was the only question.
This time, the initiative was rejected in a vote of 50-41.
The union that represents staff at the small village fire department, Pascoag Fire Rescue Association IAFF Local 4908, issued a statement on Tuesday stating the vote “has real consequences.”
“Without additional staffing, there will be times when emergency response is delayed,” noted the union. “That means waiting for a fire truck or rescue from another district when you call 911. How long will you wait? That depends on what’s already happening elsewhere—but the reality is, it will be longer than it should be.”
The post echoed Richard’s comments in March, when he noted that with a just single rescue, the district falls below National Fire Protection standards. The chairman pointed out that the department serves roughly 5,000 people covering 27 square miles with a single truck.
But others focused on the financial implications noted that the added staffing would result in a tax increase of 30 cents per thousand for Pascoag ratepayers in less than two years.
Union officials noted they believe the outcome was the result of misinformation.
“Out of 91 votes cast, only about 26 people showed up to hear the full presentation,” noted Local 4908. “That’s not enough for a decision that directly impacts public safety. In the absence of facts, misinformation filled the gap—and some of it came from individuals in positions who should have known better. That matters, because decisions like this should be based on truth, not rumor.”
The union stated that the issue is now closed and will not be brought back to ratepayers.
“We will continue to respond and do our jobs with the staffing we have—but there will be times when resources are stretched thin, and response will take longer. The community deserves to understand that.”
