People in Blockhouse are picking up the pieces after a heated ratepayers meeting late last week.
A group of ratepayers were hoping to see the Blockhouse Fire Department amalgamate with Mahone Bay to build a new fire station.
However, construction on the new fire hall began in late April.
Blockhouse Area Ratepayers Kinship President, Paul Young, says there was barely any communication.
“It’s a lack of information relayed to the ratepayers so that they could’ve made an informed decision and we were thwarted at every avenue looking for information.”
Young says some ratepayers wanted to justify why a new station was needed at a cost of just under $850,000.
Some fire members staged a walkout and threatened to close the department during the meeting.
He says everyone appreciates the department but ratepayers want to be informed.
Meanwhile, two members of the Blockhouse Fire Department quit following the meeting.
Chief Paula MacDonald says Deputy Chief Allan Keddy and Captain Blair Colp are no longer with the department.
She says it’s tough on people who fight fires, attend medicals and motor vehicle accidents.
“Not only do we do that on a volunteer basis because it’s something we want to do for our community but then to have the community upset with us, sometimes it’s just too much for the firefighters.”
MacDonald says there is a stressed relationship with some ratepayers, but not all.
She says they are all volunteers trying to do their best to communicate but also have full-time jobs.
