RUMFORD – Seth Carey has launched a petition opposing plans to build a new fire station.

Meanwhile, Rumford Fire Department Chief John Woulfe is busy setting up informational meetings that he hopes will convince townspeople that there is a need for such a facility.

Carey, a soon-to-be licensed attorney who works in his father’s law office in Rumford, began circulating the petition Thursday.

The petition states: “As a Rumford citizen, I oppose our tax dollars being used on a new fire station.”

On Friday, he said he had gathered about 30 signatures so far. He plans to gather several hundred signatures before a special town meeting is called to act on a request to fund construction of a new station.

“I’m very shocked that we would spend our limited finances when we have a beautiful, historic station,” said Carey.

Woulfe questioned the timing of the petition. “I’m not sure how you can have a petition without knowing all the information,” he said.

Deputy Chief Scott Holmes also wants residents to reserve judgment until after the informational meetings.

Fire department representatives have maintained that a new station to replace downtown facility, which was build around 1925, is needed because of the size of modern equipment, the lack of training space and the location. A Fire Station Task Force recommended that a new, more modern station be built.

Carey has attended Rumford selectmen’s meetings stating his opposition.

He also questions the recent purchase of a new, 1990 ladder truck to replace a 1971 model that the fire department has said could not pass inspection. The new truck is too large to fit in the current station. The RFD has an agreement with the Mexico Fire Department that it would respond to any calls requiring a ladder truck.

“Getting a new firetruck is a way to make a new fire station more inevitable,” said Carey.

Plans are under way to build a temporary structure in the municipal parking lot to house the new ladder truck at the rear of the fire station until a new station could be built.

Woulfe was in Connecticut checking out the ladder truck on Friday. He said it should be delivered sometime next week. The town purchased it from the West Hartford Fire Department. He also said that his fire department will go before the Rumford Planning Board to get the necessary permits for the temporary building on Wednesday.

Woulfe said that all new firetrucks are now much larger than their predecessors. He said the department will have to buy a new pumper truck sometime within the next couple of years. It, too, will be too large and heavy for the current station.

“Our equipment is antiquated, aged and due for replacement,” said Woulfe.

The solid, brick fire station, located at the head of Congress Street, was built while horses still hauled firefighting apparatus. It’s been modified and added to over the years. Several years ago, a movement to replace the station was defeated by residents.

The public informational meetings will be held later in the fall. The town meeting asking residents to approve building a new station would be held sometime after those meetings.

Estimates for construction have come in at about $2 million.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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