Townsend Weighs Future of Fire Protection, Sends Events Ordinance Back for Rewrite
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Townsend Weighs Future of Fire Protection, Sends Events Ordinance Back for Rewrite
Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
Townsend residents may soon be asked to decide the future of their fire protection.
At its November meeting, the Townsend City Council reviewed a proposed Townsend City Fire Department Growth Plan that could lead to a May 2026 referendum on whether to keep, dissolve, or significantly expand the city’s fire department.
Council Member JB Howick, speaking for the fire committee, outlined three long-term concerns: a proposed Broadwater Rural Fire District (BRFD) agreement that would give the district more space at the city fire complex in exchange for limited guaranteed support; a statewide decline in volunteer firefighters; and the likelihood that Townsend’s population growth will eventually push it into “second-class city” status, where state law requires firefighters to be paid at least minimum wage.
The draft referendum would offer voters three broad options:
* Keep the current volunteer city department and negotiate an agreement with BRFD.
* Dissolve the city department and join BRFD, with residents paying the district’s fire levy.
* Retain the city department and levy a new tax to build a paid, fully equipped city force over 20 years.
Howick stressed that the choice is too big and too expensive for the council alone. “This has too much money involved with it over a 20-year period,” he said, arguing that the decision belongs with the electorate.
Fire department representative Sean Simon told the council that talk of dissolving the city department “made the room erupt” among volunteers and confirmed that county and ambulance calls are already straining resources.
Earlier in the evening, the council held a public hearing on a new events ordinance, with Jeff Langlinais of the Townsend Rotary Club raising questions about vendor access, neighbor notification, alcohol-related behavior, and pet policies at events like Fall Fest. After a detailed discussion, Mayor Vickie Rauser and the council agreed to send the ordinance back to the events committee for revisions before any vote.
