There was a recent petition presented on 7/12/12 requesting a special public meeting of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District to be tentatively held at Fitch Middle School on August 1st. The primary purpose of that petition is to revise the 1 – year annual terms of some directors to 3 – year terms and to actually increase the number of directors to 9.

Both Alan Ackley and Peter Legnos were voted off the board as Directors by the voting taxpayers on May 9th and both their terms ended July 1st. They are now apparently trying to get back on the board by attempting to change the rules and then, later, trying to actually

transfer the operation of the PB Fire Department to the Town of Groton.

The present system of annual voting for 5 directors has been in effect since 2003 when the District reorganized under Ct State statutes section 7-324 to 329. The numerical increase in directors seems unnecessary. But in written minutes from the June 5, 2012 Groton Town Council meeting, Alan Ackley still represented himself as an active Director of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District Committee and indicated the committee was interested in consolidating the PBFD into the Town of Groton. He requested a referral to the Town Council Public Safety Committee.

This move was later completely refuted in a letter dated 6/15/12 by former director Carl Kiely, directed to the Town Public Safety Committee, which clearly stated that the OUTGOING PBFDistrict Directors NO LONGER represented the opinion of the NEW board, that the NEW board was NOT interested in consolidation and that the PBFDistrict is financially sound.

Meanwhile, at the 6/5/12 Council, in response to Citizen’s Petitions, Councilor Frank O’Beirne stated that town-wide fire district consolidation had already been discussed in 2003 and that it would be more appropriate to try and get other fire districts interested before proceeding further on that topic. Councilor James Streeter noted the actual process would entail a petition, plus a vote by the all the fire districts to actually consolidate, and then a town wide referendum on consolidation as well. This process could take 3 to 4 years for completion.

With consolidation, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District itself could (a) cease to exist,(b) local PB residents could lose direct control of their local fire department operation, and (c) taxes could increase through the town to all fire districts as a result of Groton completely absorbing operation of a fire department.

It has also been noted that the PBFD receives more mutual aid from other fire districts then it provides. Yet Mr. Ackley and others apparently want to also try and increase Director’s term limits and the number of directors for a fire district that would cease to exist. Why?

The taxpaying residents of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District should be sure to attend and voice their opinion on August 1st if that special meeting date and location is approved. The present PB Fire Department itself has a good reputation, is solvent and well managed.

Resident PB taxpayers should keep it that way.