A letter to the Town of Yarmouth regarding fire dispatch is being drafted.
It could very well be the final opportunity to save the dispatch service.
The Town of Yarmouth has indicated it was planning to outsource its service because the current model has the town’s taxpayers paying a disproportionately high percentage of the cost.
During a meeting organized by the Yarmouth County Mutual Aid Association on August 29, many rural fire department officials said mutual aid needs to be included in the discussion.
There is still hope that the Yarmouth fire dispatch service will be maintained which is used by several departments in Shelburne and Digby counties as well.
Argyle’s CAO, Alain Muise is drafting the letter and says the purpose is to address the document that the town issued to all the users of the dispatch service and ask for an extension of time.
He says it became quite apparent that the conversation was shifting.
“There’s no question the town has paid the majority of the dispatch cost over the years and I believe that the volunteers made a very eloquent point that the volunteers in the county also provide a service to the town that is valuable.”
On Friday, Muise told Acadia News the letter, from all the municipal units using Yarmouth dispatch, should be drafted very soon.
He says CAO’s, councils and the president of the Yarmouth County Mutual Aid Association will also be engaged.
At a meeting last month in Tusket the CAO of the town, Jeff Gushue , said it’s not a done deal.
Mayor Pam Mood said if the letter is received in time it could be discussed at council’s meeting this Thursday.
Many hope to convince rural departments, particularly in Shelburne and Digby counties, to remain with Yarmouth dispatch.
Some have indicated they are looking at other providers,
