Excerpts from Dailyherald.com:

After two unsuccessful attempts, the Hampshire Fire Protection District is set to propose another property tax increase this fall. This time, they're hoping for better results with a more targeted campaign and stronger community engagement.

If approved by voters, a binding referendum on the November 6 ballot would authorize a 0.1% property tax increase. The additional revenue—estimated at $236,000 annually—would go toward building an emergency and rescue fund. According to Deputy Chief Trevor Herrmann, this money would help replace outdated equipment and expand staffing to meet growing demand.

A homeowner with a $200,000 property would see an extra $67 per year in property taxes. That may not seem like much, but it's a significant step for a district that’s been struggling to keep up with rising call volumes and aging infrastructure.

The current fire station at 202 Washington Ave. is staffed with five firefighters about 25% of the time, while other shifts have only four people. With over 1,200 calls each year and nearly 200 instances where crews were needed simultaneously, the district is pushing to increase staffing to five or six per shift. That could mean hiring around five part-time firefighters to supplement their existing team of six full-timers and 34 part-timers.

The new tax would also help fund critical equipment upgrades, including a $600,000 fire engine and a $200,000 ambulance. Officials are also exploring grant opportunities to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.

Previous proposals for similar tax increases were rejected in the last two elections. This time, the fire district is taking a different approach—leveraging social media, holding public meetings, and forming a citizen advisory committee to build support and transparency.

In 2017, the district tried to pass a second referendum asking for a 0.15% tax increase to open a second station near Route 20 and I-90. Though that effort failed, officials are now working on plans to build a second station on the north side of the district without additional taxpayer funding. It's a sign that the district is learning from past setbacks and trying to be more strategic moving forward.

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