BYRON — Wednesday night’s overwhelming vote to dissolve the fire department has triggered efforts by selectmen to start plans for providing fire coverage.

Residents voted 22-0 with a few abstaining to discontinue the town fire protection service.

Anne Simmons-Edmunds said Thursday that she hopes to set up a meeting with the Mexico Board of Selectmen before the end of the year so that when a new year comes in, a new beginning for fire protection will start.

Wednesday’s vote authorized the Byron board to negotiate for fire coverage.

The decision didn’t come easily because the fire department has been such an important part of the town’s social and service fabric. But an increasing number of state and federal regulations, together with a dwindling number of volunteers willing to put in the hours required for firefighter training and paperwork requirements prompted the town to take this step.

Communications difficulties were another strike against retaining the local fire service. To remedy that situation, a minimum of $6,000 would be needed to place a repeater in Byron, said Jim Miclon, director of the Oxford County Regional Communications Center.

Part of any agreement that might be worked out with the Mexico Fire Department will likely include giving up Byron’s 2005 fire engine it received with the help of a Homeland Security grant.

Allison Freeman, one of the department’s few remaining volunteers, said she has tried her hardest to respond to all calls.

“I think it’s crazy to give up this truck. We own that truck free and clear,” she said.

Resident Penny Duguay said she didn’t think of the truck as being given away, but of putting it to work for the town.

When selectmen work out a deal with Mexico for fire coverage, the truck may become a significant part of the negotiations. Byron could pay an annual amount of money for coverage, or it could trade the truck for a number of years of coverage, or some combination agreement would be worked out.

Freeman was also concerned that those in Byron who want to continue as volunteers for the Mexico Fire Department may not be able to.

However, Mexico fire Chief Gary Wentzell said he is at work with his department to change the bylaws so Byron people could become volunteers, as long as they complete the required training.

Patrick Knapp-Veilleux said he has been proud to be a Byron volunteer firefighter, but he also believes keeping the fire engine in a heated garage while no one was licensed to use it was a great waste of money.

The Mexico Fire Department has been the first responder to emergencies in Byron for the past few weeks because of the smaller town’s lack of a fire chief and fire department. Neighboring Roxbury may also be included in negotiations for fire coverage.

Selectman Linda Gallant said change was inevitable.

“Now we’ll negotiate,” she said.

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