Williston’s emergency services are slated for large new investments, now that voters have approved funding to add nine new career firefighters and a new ambulance.
Residents voted Tuesday to approve a municipal budget that’s about $1.57 million higher than current spending. Half the new money will fund the additional positions in the Williston Fire Department. The vote was relatively close: 971 in support, 788 opposed.
The town’s volunteer firefighting forces have dropped from 30 people to as few as six over the past five years, officials have said, and the demand for new town employees has been amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic.
These staffing shortages are occurring as Williston’s population continues to grow, with 1,200 new residents projected to move to the town by the end of the next five fiscal years, according to official estimates.
“The goal with additional career staff is to create a more effective level of response with added depth daily for the department,” Town Manager Erik Wells has said.
Voters also approved the purchase of a new town ambulance for up to $280,000.
That vote was much more lopsided: 1,311 supporting, 454 opposed.
