SOPHIE DEMERS
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

THORNE – Thorne, Clarendon and Shawville are currently discussing a potential extension of the Shawville/Clarendon Fire Department’s service area to include Thorne. According to Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary, Thorne made the request about a year ago and will pay the fire department for access to their services.

“They’re also considering reinstating their fire department. They had issues with recruiting members, as do all small communities, so they’ll be making a deal with a fire chief to try and rebuild their fire department. So down the road, Shawville and Clarendon may not have to provide them with fire services, depending on how successful their rebuild is,” said McCleary.

Until an agreement is made, Throne will continue receiving fire services from Otter Lake.

According to McCleary, the municipality surveyed the fire department to gauge whether there were concerns over receiving more calls; 90% stated they weren’t concerned and would be willing to receive more calls if the service extends to Thorne. McCleary noted the added income from the expansion would be beneficial to the Shawville/Clarendon department.

“Things take time. There are contracts to be reviewed and a lot of discussions and meetings to be had,” said Jessica Ménard, Thorne’s director general, on the progress of the discussions.

Echoing Ménard’s statement, Patricia Hobbs, Clarendon’s director general, said: “Municipalities want to help each other, especially small ones. There would be a monetary advantage of course, but the added advantage is cooperation with other municipalities. Helping smaller municipalities that don’t have a fire department or the resources is the root of it all.”

More information will be available once an agreement is made between the municipalities.