During the past year, your District 38 Fire Commissioners have published quarterly newsletters and hosted various public forums to educate the citizens we serve and to gather comment and input from them on the future of fire service in the Upper Valley.

Our primary focus has been to communicate the current level of services provided, and to build an understanding of our current regional partnership in Eastside Fire and Rescue (EFR). In an effort to maintain current service levels, and with the endorsement of the citizen focus group, your fire commissioners have placed Proposition 1 on the Feb. 6 ballot to restore the regularly authorized levy rate of $1/$1000 assessed value.

The last time the rate was restored to the regular rate was in 1990 – 17 years ago. Our ability to pay for the increasing cost of current services is contingent upon restoring the rate to $1/$1000 assessed value again.

We have tried to provide our citizens with the facts concerning Proposition 1. Please review your recent newsletter for relevant information. Several recent District 38 newsletters are also available on the EFR Web site (www.eastsidefire-rescue.org).

The decision you make will affect the level of fire and emergency medical services available to you and your family. Please take time to make yourself fully aware of all the facts concerning Proposition 1 and your current level of service so you can make an informed choice Feb. 6.

Ron Pedee, Steve Parsons and Chris Dahline

Fire District 38 Commissioners