The Palmer Lake Town Council abandoned talks to disband the local fire department Wednesday, committing instead to draft a ballot measure for the fall election that would increase property taxes to support the agency.
The town said in a recent post to its Facebook page that it was considering closing the department and forming an agreement that would allow Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District to handle emergency calls there.
But town officials appeared to have abandoned that plan due to public pressure, even before about 100 people — many in support of the fire department — crowded town hall for the Wednesday night meeting. “I think it would be a total disgrace to let this mayor, this town council and this city do away with our fire department,” said Ron Kruger, a former Palmer Lake Fire Chief whose father helped found the department more than 80 years ago.