Greenwich, Wolfville fire departments will not merge, despite years of talks

A three-year-long saga that began with an abrupt council decision to close the Greenwich department has ended with a decision not to merge with the Wolfville department.

The two departments in the Annapolis Valley couldn't agree on a location for a new fire hall

Linus Mulherin · CBC News · Posted: Apr 17, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 17

3 black and red fire trucks stand in front of a grey and red building — Greenwich Fire Chief Jason Ripley says local residents are supportive of the decision not to merge the two departments. (Greenwich Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook)

The chief of the Greenwich Fire Department says no one in his station or community is shedding tears over the collapse of years-long merger talks with the Wolfville fire department.

"So far we've had all positive comments on that decision," said Jason Ripley. "General sentiment among the members of the fire department is relief that the idea's not going forward."

The three-year-long saga began in February 2022, when the Municipality of the County of Kings voted to abruptly close the 39-member department in Greenwich, citing the cost savings of having Wolfville provide fire protection for the area.

The municipal council reversed its decision after a public backlash, and the two departments agreed to pursue a merger agreement in April 2023.

However, in a notice posted on its website last month, the Town of Wolfville announced those negotiations had come to an end.

"It was ultimately determined the merger could not proceed when the location of a new fire hall could not be decided," reads the statement.

"The Town of Wolfville and the Municipality of the County of Kings have instead agreed to focus on renewing their current intermunicipal fire service agreement and working toward building a new fire station to serve the Wolfville Fire District."

The Wolfville department will continue to serve Wolfville and the surrounding communities, while the Greenwich department has signed a five-year contract to provide services for the Municipality of the County of Kings.

"More or less in terms of front-facing service there'll be no difference to the public," said Ripley.

The decision means the eventual dissolution of the Greenwich Fire Commission "to allow for a modernization of the governance structure for the fire service," according to the statement.

Ripley said it will allow the department to directly manage its assets and services and streamline its operations.

He declined to comment on what caused the disagreement on the location of the new fire station, saying the conversations went on behind closed doors.

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