Groveland Finance Committee Hears Fire Chief's Plea for More Full-Time Firefighters

GROVELAND -- January 14, 2026, Groveland Finance Committee hears department budget requests, debates fire staffing urgency. Fire Chief Valentine told the committee Wednesday that the department answered 1,285 calls in the 18 months ending December 31, 2025, with daytime response averaging just 2.3 firefighters per call, down from 14 to 15 when he arrived in 2019. Valentine presented two options: add two full-time firefighters immediately at a 19.8 percent budget increase, or phase in one in fiscal year 2027 with per diem weekend coverage and a second hire deferred to fiscal year 2029. Committee member Brian Costanza backed two hires now, saying the cost difference was "roughly 60 grand" and a preventable death was irreversible; members Adam Hayward and Mark Huber leaned toward the phased approach. Police Chief Gillen separately defended increased overtime and part-time funding as a hedge against shift gaps caused by officer attrition, noting one officer departs the department January 25 for a higher-paying city. Town Clerk Jennifer Peterson's election-budget request of $19,333 was challenged by Costanza, who noted fiscal year 2025 actual election spending was $13,386.59 against a $25,600 appropriation, roughly half the budget used.