Cluculz Lake taxpayers voted narrowly against paying for an expansion to the Cluculz Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
A referendum was held this weekend to ask Cluculz Lake residents to raise the emergency response portion of their taxes from the current $11 per $100,000 of assessed property value to $74 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The residents voted against the increase and thus the proposed new services.
According to Cheryl Anderson, Chief Election Officer for the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, the final tally was 115 no to 93 yes.
At issue was a proposal from the fire group to upgrade into a BNRD-approved department. That meant a newer fire truck would be purchased and a heated addition would be built onto the existing Cluculz Lake Fire Hall. A single bay satellite fire hall was proposed for the south side of Cluculz Lake to house one of the existing fire trucks and enough gear for three to five firefighters, so that response time to that area could be improved. The proposal also included sufficient funds to provide for operating costs and an appropriate level of training.
"This is a democracy. The people had a chance to come out and voice their opinion, they did, and you have to be glad for that," said Jerry Petersen, the area's regional district representative who sponsored the question at the BNRD table. "For a small community like that, it was good turnout, really. I always like to see as many people as possible show up. On Nov. 11 we celebrate all those people who sacrificed, some who gave up their lives, in the defense of freedom. These chances to vote is what that was all about, and we are thankful for that."
Petersen said the volunteer fire department and supporters would meet Monday night to discuss their alternatives.
"There are always other options, either scale back or fundraise from a different angle," Petersen said. "Maybe they can come up with a different plan that would suit the people. That is up to them. There is always a different way of going forward."
