2026 FIRE FEE INFORMATION On 2025 Real Estate Tax Bill

The Fire Protection Service Fee has been in effect for three years and is now considered fully implemented. For the upcoming year, the joint budget increase was 4.25%. This adjustment is essential for maintaining staffing levels at the Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Stations that serve the Town of Merton, including enhancing round-the-clock staffing at the Merton Station to three personnel.

In response to a decline in the availability of paid-on-call residents to serve in the Town of Merton's fire departments, the three departments have restructured their staffing models to ensure continuous service delivery. This restructuring incorporates a blend of full-time paid personnel, part-time staff, and paid-on-call employees. Consequently, this approach has enabled the availability of dedicated firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics around the clock, significantly improving response times.