Lincoln Petition Set to Force Vote on Cuts That Could Cost 8 Fire/EMS Jobs
Organizers say they have far more than the 337 signatures needed to put the town's 12.8% budget cut, which could force layoffs, to a townwide vote.
Petitioners in Lincoln say they have collected more than enough signatures to force a townwide vote on a budget passed earlier in June that cuts services including fire and emergency medical care, the Bangor Daily News reported.
The Penobscot County town's council, split 4-3 along conservative lines, approved a 12.8% budget cut over objections from town employees who warned it could lead to layoffs and reduced service. Councilor Gordon Street, who had pushed unsuccessfully for smaller cuts, promoted the petition drive on Facebook. Organizers said they had gathered more than 450 signatures by June 27, above the 337 needed to place the budget on a future ballot, and had reached 553 by June 29, according to organizer Arica Millett, a nurse who said she began the effort because she sees the cuts as a risk to patient safety.
The town's fire and ambulance department, which has said it could lose up to eight staff members, publicly backed the signature drive on its Facebook page. Councilor Eric Rojo said he believes the department can avoid cuts through revised scheduling. The town charter allows voters to override council decisions with sufficient signatures, though the town has not set a date for a vote, and staff could not be reached for comment.
This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.
