The shrinking size of the Paisley Area Fire Board is causing concern in Arran-Elderslie.
Saugeen Shores pulled out last year, and now Kincardine and Brockton have decided they no longer want an ownership stake in the fire department that serves some of the rural corners of the two municipalities.
Arran-Elderslie Councillor Mark Davis says if an agreement is made with the municipalities to continue providing fire service to the areas in question, caution will have to be taken to make sure costs are carefully worked out.
He adds that with regulations regarding fire protection always changing, it’s often difficult to put unforseen costs and requirements into a service agreement.
Davis says Arran-Elderslie will have to basically buy out the ownership stake the other municipalities have.
He hopes that cost can be financed through an interest-free loan.
Davis says the Paisley department will be in a difficult situation over the next few years when it comes to purchasing new equipment while trying to pay off a debt.
Davis stresses there are no problems with how the Paisley Fire Department operates and the municipalities wanting to leave the board are doing so for other reasons.
Those include cost savings and limiting potential liability costs.