Poquonnock Bridge Residents Seek State Help with Fire District Woes

Poquonnock Bridge residents have sought the help of the state’s attorney general George Jepsen and their state representatives for help resolving mounting problems in the fire district.

According to a report in The Day, a letter addressed to Jepsen questioned the legality of the fire district board’s conduct and board members’ accountability for decisions made thus far.

Voters approved a $3.5 million budget, which is just more than half of the $6.29 million budget that was requested. The tax rate in the district will drop from 5.9 mills to 5 mills but the budget does not cover payroll and now residents are concerned that public safety will be jeopardized. 

The report says that the letter cites the “board’s delinquency on paying fire hydrant rentals, the lack of a working ladder truck, the lack of a budget and ‘chaos’ at the meeting during which the budget was approved and board members elected.” 

Board members have been discussing closing the Fort Hill Fire station and installing a volunteer fire department to relieve some of the financial pressure. Fire district board president Alan Ackey told The Day reporters that the hydrant bills are up to date now. 

Groton Town Manager Mark Oefinger and Mayor Heather Somers told reporters that they are looking into the town’s obligations, responsibility and authority in the matter but according to Ackey, the town doesn’t have any. 

Click here to read the full report in The Day.