TOWN OF ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Town of Algoma has scheduled a special board meeting for Thursday night as it continues to consider a fire department merger with the City of Oshkosh.
The municipalities said they’re considering the move for at least financial reasons.
The possible merger is the talk of the town.
“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,” said resident Amy Hartman.
The fire department is even encouraging people to attend the special board meeting scheduled for Thursday night.
“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,” added fire department volunteer Chuck Hable.
Both City and Town officials citing financial concerns were a reason, along with the ability to continue staffing the Town’s all volunteer department — despite it being very robust.
In October, Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill said, “It’s about maintaining the high quality of service with our financial limitations”
“Well, thinking about the future and a lot of it was the that innovation grant and the budget,” added Town of Algoma Chairman Joel Rasmussen, at the time.
Part of the merger discussion surrounds a grant both the city and town would get if the communities moved forward with a deal.
“If they merge, they get $50,000 a year for an 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?” asked town resident Tom Korn.
Just some of the questions town residents, who like the service they receive from the volunteers with Algoma, already get, even without the merger.
“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,” added Hartman.
And it’s a legitimate concern, according to volunteers like Chuck Hable. He spent nearly 30 years working for the City of Oshkosh Fire Department and now he volunteers with the Town of Algoma.
When asked if there is any benefit to the merger, Hable said, “Right now, no. Who knows what a volunteer department’s gonna look like in five years. What happens to the joint EMS district if they decide to form it now and the grant money isn’t available in five years?”
Questions residents hope town officials consider and talk about at Thursday’s special meeting where the potential to make a decision on the merger is on the agenda.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Town of Algoma Town Hall on Oakwood Road.
