may 20 2025 - groton mass voted on adding more staff to FD

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.