
Kennebunk (ME) Fire Rescue and the Kennebunkport Fire Department both need a new ladder truck, which would cost more than $1 million each. So, to ease the burden on taxpayers, Kennebunk officials voted to form a new task force to explore sharing fire services, something which Kennebunkport officials are also doing, reports seacoastonline.com.
The two departments are tinkering with the idea of sharing other resources—staff, apparatus, and equipment—to increase efficiency and save taxpayer money, according to the report. The Kennebunk plan, still in its early stages, also has the possibility of forming such a group with another town.
Related: Kennebunk (ME) Votes to Dispose of Fire Apparatus
The task force will comprise town officials, officers, firefighters from both towns, and a facilitator.
Kennebunk has four fire stations: Central Station Rescue & Rescue at 1 Summer St.; Washington Hose Station at 159 Port Rd.; West Kennebunk Station at 80 Thompson Rd.; and the Blueberry Plains Station at 1 Clearbrook Crossing.
Kennebunkport has three: Kennebunkport Village Station at 32 North St.; Cape Porpoise Station at 172 Main St.; and the Goose Rocks Beach Fire Company at 2 Winter Harbor Rd.
A date for the first meeting has not yet been set, but officials hope to kick things off in about a month.