from https://portal.grotonma.gov/storage/Election_Information/Voter%20Information%20Books/Ballot_Information_Booklet_-_May_20_2025_Election_-_Final1.pdf
Summary of Question #2: Question 2 seeks a permanent increase in the levy limit of $780,904 to pay for the addition of six (6) Firefighter/EMT’s for the Groton Fire Department in Fiscal Year 2026 which begins on July 1, 2025. Of the $780,904 total override that is being requested, only $630,504 would be spent in FY26. This amount would add $0.22 to the anticipated FY26 Tax Rate and cost the average residential taxpayer (a home valued at $707,877) an additional $156 per year. The additional $150,000, which will be needed for pension costs, will be left as excess levy capacity and will not be spent until FY28. Effect of a Yes or No Vote: A YES VOTE will allow the Town to permanently increase its levy limit by $780,904 to pay for the addition of six (6) Firefighter/EMT’s for the Groton Fire Department beginning in Fiscal Year 2026. A NO VOTE will not allow the Town to permanently increase its levy limit. Arguments In Favor and Against Question #2: IN FAVOR: A YES vote will increase the number of career firefighters serving Groton from two per 24‐ hour shift to four per 24‐hour shift. This additional staffing will bring the Groton Fire Department (GFD) to minimum safe operating levels, enabling them to effectively respond to all hazards and emergencies for Groton residents 24/7. Without this funding, staffing levels will remain fixed at two firefighters per shift, which, given longer hospital transport times—caused by the closure of our local hospital—and projected population growth, will lead to reduced availability of emergency services. High‐quality emergency fire and EMS services are vital for attracting new residents and maintaining property values. Please vote YES to preserve our exceptional emergency services and ensure the safety of both our citizens and firefighters. AGAINST: The closing of Nashoba Hospital initially drove the call for more fire fighters. Now though, because a Satellite Emergency Facility will soon be operating in Groton, there is less than a two‐year gap in local emergency room coverage. We shouldn’t add permanent people – and a permanent tax increase ‐ to address an issue that will soon go away. Furthermore, the information presented by the Fire Department to justify this override is heavy on emotion and fear, but light on data that justifies the need. For example, how much will response times improve by after the full‐time department doubles in size? Where is the thorough analysis of why call volumes have recently increased – is this too only temporary? Additionally, their appeals to OSHA safety “mandates” were shown to be factually incorrect. We shouldn’t be adding permanent town employees, and expanding service levels, with so little study and documented need. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "massfire" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/massfire/CAFXWwKagdwDmBUxX6rkkJ0XMiW%3DfiAK5Yo9sU-S3JN4PXQ%2BiNg%40mail.gmail.com.
