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Chief offers to cut own salary to keep 2 firefighters

Several firefighters said morale is at an all-time low and that if something doesn’t change they will resign

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News8000.com

HOLMEN, Wis. — It’s budget season, and there is a big debate surrounding the Holmen Area Fire Department.

The department responds to calls in Holmen, as well as the town of Holland and town of Onalaska. The three municipalities are trying to find a budget that works, but there are other concerns, too. The Holmen Area Fire Association Board is made up of representatives from all three municipalities the fire department serves, and on Tuesday night, it held a special session to discuss the 2016 budget.

The board president, Rolly Boguert, said going into the Tuesday night meeting the village of Holmen wanted to cut two full-time firefighters. While that might not seem like much, that would be cutting half of the full-time staff. On top of figuring out that, the board is trying to finalize a new agreement between the municipalities to help put money into a reserve fund for replacement costs.

Full story: Firefighters: Holmen Area Fire Dept. morale at all-time low