Fire services Régie de l’est is officially formed
The mayors of the eastern sector of the Memphremagog MRC met yesterday to officially sign a new fire services merger, bringing eight municipalities into a single régie.
Stanstead, North Hatley, Ogden, Hatley, Stanstead Township, Hatley Township, Ayer’s Cliff and Sainte-catherine-de-hatley will now share the resources of the four existing fire departments in the territory, managed by a new director as well as a board of directors comprised of representatives from each of the municipalities.
According to Hatley Township Mayor Martin Primeau, who designed the project, the goal is to improve the administrative aspects of fire prevention services. Operationally speaking, things are expected to remain the same.
The Régie de l’est will cover a total of 435 square kilometres and service close to 16,000 residents.
Primeau said the régie, three years in the making, will bring together approximately 85 firefighters and have a budget of $1.3 million.
According to Primeau, the costs to each municipality for the first year will be based on the costs incurred in 2016. Over the following four years, towns will pay based on a formula of 50/50 risk and property value.
Primeau pointed out that seven of the eight municipalities gave unanimous approval to the formation of the régie. Stanstead Township was the only council to require a vote, which was split. Mayor Francine Caron-markwell broke the tie in favour of the merger.