NEWRY – Selectmen learned Monday that as long as the town has fire-fighting equipment available, it is required under state law to provide fire protection.

Administrative Assistant Sylvia Gray said selectmen asked her to check into the status of the town’s liability regarding fire protection. After contacting the Maine Municipal Association’s legal department, she learned that it is a responsibility of the town as long as it has fire trucks.

“I contacted Bill Lidergood of the MMA and he told me the town doesn’t have to provide fire protection, but if the town has a ladder truck or any fire truck it is liable,” she said.

Newry has a fire department with stations near the Sunday River Ski Resort access road and adjacent to the town office in Bear River. As a result, it has the responsibility to providing fire protection.

The question arose because selectmen are studying issues regarding fire ponds and dry hydrants and whether or not the town should maintain those facilities.

The board authorized plowing of dry hydrants recently, but maintaining privately owned fire ponds is not considered in the town’s best interest. That’s the responsibility of the property owner. Beyond maintaining dry hydrants, the town isn’t liable for fire-fighting facilities on privately owned property.

Selectmen also are reminding residents that there will be a special town meeting starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, to ask voters if they will support the transfer of $13,000 from surplus to cover an anticipated overdraft in the solid waste account.

The need for extra money results from the fact that the town of Bethel, which Newry partners with for solid waste disposal, spent extra money to upgrade the transfer station on Route 2, which increased Newry’s share in the costs.

The reason Newry did not anticipate the extra funding is that it operates on a calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 while Bethel operates on a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. As a result, Newry has to estimate solid waste costs when the town meeting is held in March as compared the Bethel, which holds its town meeting in June.

The special town meeting will convene in the town office meeting room on Route 26 in Bear River.

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