Falmouth Voters Pass Initiative To Hire 14 Firefighters

FALMOUTH MA — Falmouth voters are resoundingly in favor of the ballot question that would use tax dollars to fund 14 new firefighter hires within the local department.

In Tuesday's election, the ballot question passed by a measure of 3,163 in favor to 1,590 against.

A vote for yes meant that Falmouth would assess an additional $950,000 in real estate and personal property taxes to fund wages, benefits and expenses associated with hiring the 14 new firefighters for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2023.

The department responded to the result on Wednesday with a statement thanking local officials and voters.

"Fire Chief Timothy Smith and the members of the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department wish to thank all who voted in support of yesterday’s ballot question to fund fourteen (14) new Firefighter positions needed to meet minimum daily staffing requirements and provide robust fire and emergency medical response to the entire Town," the department said.

"We also wish to thank the Select Board, Interim Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub, the Finance Committee, and Town Meeting Members for their support, which brought this needed personnel increase to the ballot."