The Town of Algoma announced a special board meeting for Thursday at 6 p.m. in the town hall on Oakwood Road to consider a possible merger of its all‑volunteer fire department with the City of Oshkosh. Residents and volunteers are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions.
Financial motivations behind the proposal
Both town and city officials have pointed to financial pressures as a primary reason for exploring the merger. In October, Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill said the discussion is “about maintaining the high quality of service with our financial limitations.” Town Chairman Joel Rasmussen added that the conversation also involves an “innovation grant and the budget” that could affect future funding.
Potential grant benefits and concerns
The merger could unlock a grant that would provide $50,000 per year to the combined fire services for four years, while Oshkosh would receive $1.4 million for the same period. Residents questioned the sustainability of services after the grant expires, asking, “Where’s the money going to come from?”
Community reactions
Local residents expressed mixed feelings. Amy Hartman said, “There’s been a lot of chatter about it and people are just not really sure that this is in our best interest in the town of Algoma.” Volunteer firefighter Chuck Hable, who spent nearly three decades with the Oshkosh Fire Department before volunteering in Algoma, voiced skepticism: “I don’t think the fire department’s in favor. I don’t think the town of Algoma fire department is in favor of it.” He added that the future of a volunteer department remains uncertain.
Tom Korn, another resident, asked about the long‑term financial outlook: “If they merge, they get $50,000 a year for a merger for four years. And Oshkosh gets $1.4 million for the first four years. What’s going to happen after four years are done? Where’s the money going to come from?”
Key questions for the board
Attendees are expected to discuss several critical issues, including:
- How the merger would affect response times and coverage for Algoma residents.
- The impact on the joint EMS district if the merger proceeds.
- Whether the grant money will be available after the initial four‑year period.
- How to preserve the strong volunteer spirit that currently serves the town.
Hartman emphasized the importance of uninterrupted service: “I don’t want any of the efficient services to be interrupted because maybe the first responders aren’t going to be directed just to the Town of Algoma. I think that’s the biggest concern.”
Next steps
The special board meeting will provide a forum for officials to present detailed analyses and for community members to ask questions. The board is expected to decide whether to move forward with the merger or to keep the fire department operating independently.
Residents who wish to participate should arrive at the Algoma Town Hall on Oakwood Road by 6 p.m. Thursday. The meeting is open to the public, and a live stream will be available on the town’s website for those unable to attend in person.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
