A public informational meeting on an advisory referendum requesting authorization to construct a new Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire and EMS Station, along with an addition to the existing “BUG” Fire Station, will be held Wednesday evening at the Southern Door Community Auditorium. The session begins at 7PM. Folks at the meeting will find that the original project, as presented, has been downsized by nearly $1.5 million to a cost of $2.8 million. Size reductions have been proposed for the south station in Brussels and the northern station will be enhanced in stage one, adding two truck bays, a fire hose drying area, turnout gear locker and equipment storage and maintenance areas, a truck ventilation system and parking lot improvements. The second phase is viewed as a future project. The upgrades are intended to enhance and maintain fire and first responder services, bring about upgrades to the 48-year old south and 27 year old north fire stations, provide a basis for continued recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and first responders, and, to ensure retention of a Door County ambulance garage. It has been estimated that the project will add about $44 for a $100,000 property to the tax bill each year during the payback period. The referendum is advisory only, meaning that electors in each town must approve the construction proposal at an annual town or special town meeting. Everything begins with the spring election on April 5th.
