By FireRescue1 Staff
WISCASSET, Maine — As voters take to the polls Nov. 8, they will decide whether or not firefighters are permitted to wash their personal vehicles at fire stations.
The controversy began in April, when a town manager told the Wiscasset Fire Department that washing personal vehicles at the station violated town policy, reported the Lincoln County News.
According to Wiscasset Fire Chief T.J. Merry, the washing of personal vehicles has been a half-century department tradition and helps build camaraderie amongst members.
Since April, the town has struggled to finalize and pass a revised policy, prompting voters to decide on the issue next week. A petition was later circulated and garnered enough signatures to place the matter on the ballot.
Officials cited liability concerns if a firefighter was injured while washing a personal vehicle at the station.
“It’s good to have this behind us,” Chief Merry said. “It’s weighed a lot on us. We’re a pretty close group. We just want it back the way it was.”