Mayor Brink's Report: Why Voting 'YES' Matters for Fire Station Construction

At Tuesday July 2nd's City Council meeting, Mayor Brink's report focused on the benefits and financial effects of voting "YES" in November to approve the construction of two new fire stations in Sanford and Springvale. See her report below:

"As many of you know, Sanford and Springvale residents will vote this November on building two new fire stations at a cost of $42.5 million.

We understand this is a significant investment, but a “YES” vote means better protection for residents and modern facilities for firefighters, all at a cost to taxpayers of just $4 per week — about the price of a cup of coffee.

Some might think voting “NO” saves money, but that's not the case. If the project is not approved now, its cost will rise by $2.6 million each year. There are various grant opportunities available, including FEMA, Congressional Direct Spending, and others, but we can only pursue them with voter-approved projects. After election day, the City plans to apply for millions in grants, making community support crucial.

Additionally, new federal safety regulations (OSHA) are on the horizon, affecting fire stations nationwide. If we don't act now, we risk losing out on funding as competition for these grants intensifies. Rejecting this project means costly upgrades to our current stations to meet safety regulations, and still facing the need to construct new stations at a cost exceeding $45 million.

Voting YES is the smarter financial decision, saving money in the long term and securing our community's future."