I find it ironic that Selectman Canty took the opportunity to warn Plymouth of an impending operational override within the next three years as a reason to vote against the $300,000 road-acceptance study for the Shallow Pond Estates. In July, the entire selectboard voted unanimously to allow the fire chief to apply for a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response) grant of $2,959,478.23 to fund 12 firefighters. There was no discussion on how the town would pay for these firefighters once the grant expires in three years.
When I questioned the need for additional firefighters, Selectman Canty cited the increased number of calls the fire department responded to. However, the primary purpose of the SAFER grant is to meet NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) staffing for fire response and the increased numbers of calls in Plymouth is primarily EMS related. He, along with the other members of the Selectboard, ignored the fact that Plymouth contracts with Brewster Ambulance for emergency medical services. Whether most of these calls also require a fire engine is debatable.
The number of fires in Plymouth has not increased since 2015 (the year the fire chief used to justify the need for more firefighters). In 2015, Plymouth had 235 (structure, automobile, outside fires) and 122 firefighters. In 2025 we had 182 fires and 140 firefighters. The numbers and types of calls our fire department responds to are available in the annual Town Reports.
When the Selectboard asks for that tax override, I hope the residents of Plymouth will remember the ease with which they voted to bring on 12 new firefighters versus the reluctance they felt about accepting the responsibility of roads lived on by taxpayers.
– Linda MacDonald