There appears to be some trouble with the Trout River Volunteer Fire Department, but getting someone to talk about it proved difficult on Thursday.
Postings on Facebook indicate that Ralph Traverse, the town’s fire chief, was relieved of his duties by the town council earlier this month.
The postings give no explanation of why Traverse was let go and Mayor Horace Crocker declined to talk about the matter when contacted by The Western Star.
Crocker said it was not a conversation he would have over the phone.
“If you want information from Trout River, come to Trout River and talk to council.”
From the Facebook postings it seems that many in the community are not in agreement with council’s decision.
In fact, several other members of the fire department paid a visit to the town office late last week to turn in their bunker suits as a show of solidarity with Traverse.
Their resignations leave the department with only six members.
The department has made a few postings on its own Facebook page to say that the town still has an active fire department.
“We are sad to say we have lost a very important part of our department as well as many others who chose to leave as well. We are sad to see them go but would like to thank them for their time and dedication to our town and department!
“We are still active and dedicated to fighting fires in our small town, even if there are just a few of us, we will try our best,” reads one post.
The Western Star was unable to reach Traverse for comment.
https://www.facebook.com/Trout-River-Volunteer-Fire-Dept-613874425322633/
