Tewksbury Annual Town Meeting Approves Additional $351,000 For Fire Department Budget

Following a debate that lasted near two hours, Tewksbury's Annual Town Meeting approved an increase of the Fire Department budget for FY14 from $3,875,556 to $4,226,556, an increase of $351,000.

The Fire Department budget was included under Article 4 of the Annual Town Meeting warrant as part of the town's FY14 General Fund Budget, which totals $88,534,324. 

The crux of the debate revolved around keeping South Station open year round, with residents speaking up on both sides of the issue. 

Town Manager Richard Montuori and several members of the Board of Selectmen urged residents to vote in opposition to the amendment, citing tight budgets for all town departments over the past few years. 

"I would ask you not to approve this amendment. Keep the budget as it's intact tonight," Montuori said. "I want you to know the Board of Selectmen and myself want to reach an agreement with the union to allow all the stations to remain open. That is our priority and will remain so regardless of what happens tonight."

Board of Selectmen Chair Scott Wilson emphasized that the amendment would not successfully fix the issue at hand, and urged residents to vote against the amendment. 

"We are safe as a community," Wilson said "My colleagues and I would certainly not make a decision that would leave this community unsafe. We don't pick and choose certain parts of the community to be safe and others unsafe."

Fire Chief Mike Hazel said he recognized the balance between supporting the Fire Department and working with the Town Manager and other department heads in working toward a balanced budget.

"I do stand here in 100 percent support of the Fire Department, but with the understanding that as a department head I have a responsibility to work with the other department heads and the Town Manager to present the budget here tonight," Hazel said. 

Residents of South Tewksbury stood up and called upon friends, family and neighbors to stand in support of the amendment, in concern of an understaffed or closed station that could possibly affect response time. 

One resident of South Tewksbury worried "when our Fire Department can't operate at full capacity, we're risking the lives of our family, friends and neighbors."

This sentiment was echoed by many that went up to the microphone to speak in favor of the amendment, but it's passing was not without consequence.

Following adoption of the amendment, Montuori motioned for a recess of five minutes to make cuts to other areas of the budget to accomodate the increase to the Fire Department budget.

Departments receiving cuts included the Department of Public Works and Veterans Services. 

Article 4 passed along with the amendment increasing the Fire Department budget. 

Stick with Tewksbury Patch for a full breakdown of night one of Annual Town Meeting.