I find it amazing Roxbury Town Clerk Tina Howard – a past selectman – would say such things (Sept. 23). I was involved with the town getting its new firetruck and new equipment, and think people should be asking where the equipment money went.

I disagree with her remark that the town could survive without a fire department. An active fire department is vital to every town. Roxbury once had set times for doing business in the town office as well, but now selectman meet Howard’s needs, and town office hours are changed to meet her schedule.

Also the town had purchased a building and property while she and I were selectmen. At that time, we decided not to put money into the current town office. I guess she forgot that. At a special town meeting, selectmen decided to tear down most of the existing new building without first checking into the building codes. That’s why we’re not moved in yet.

I have doubts our new firetruck will fit without building modifications. I don’t believe a town clerk should be calling out the fire chief, or anyone working for the town, in the local paper.

Perhaps she needs to run for selectman again if she feels this strongly about the issues.

I do want to commend Selectman Mark Tuchette for standing his ground and taking responsibility for what happened in the fire department budget, unlike the other selectmen and Howard.

Tim Gallant, Roxbury