A federal grant request of $3,500,000 to help construct a new fire and EMS station in Thomaston awaits consideration by the full Senate and House after being officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Notification of the Committee's approval came July 10, 2025. Should the new Thomaston Fire and EMS Facility be granted this money, the Town will still need to come up with matching funds for the total $7 million estimated cost.

“Replacing our aged and inadequate Fire/EMS station is the top priority for Thomaston, providing up-to-date facilities that protect our first responders as they meet the expanding needs of our community in a timely way," said Chris Rector, Board Chair, Thomaston Selectboard. "The town has committed to supporting this effort and is enormously grateful to Senator Collins for advancing our funding request."

Thomaston is one of several Maine fire stations and emergency services being considered for advanced $12,265,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending by Senator Collins in the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Belgrade, Marshfield, St. Agatha, St. Albans, and Swan's Island are also on the list. 

“Every day, first responders selflessly put their lives on the line to serve communities throughout Maine,” said Senator Collins.  “This funding would help to ensure that Maine’s fire fighters and emergency response professionals have the adequate facilities needed to do their jobs as effectively and safely as possible.  As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.” 

This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. 

Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine fire stations and emergency services in the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill is as follows: 

Belgrade Fire and Rescue Station 

Recipient: Town of Belgrade 

Project Location: Belgrade, ME 

Amount Requested: $4,700,000  

Project Purpose: To construct a fire and rescue station. 

Marshfield Fire Station 

Recipient: Marshfield Volunteer Fire Department 

Project Location: Marshfield, ME 

Amount Requested: $756,000  

Project Purpose: To construct a fire station. 

St. Agatha Fire Station  

Recipient: Town of St. Agatha 

Project Location: St. Agatha, ME 

Amount Requested: $345,000  

Project Purpose: To expand the fire station. 

St. Albans Fire Station  

Recipient: Town of St. Albans 

Project Location: St. Albans, ME 

Amount Requested: $1,520,000 

Project Purpose: To construct a fire station. 

Swan’s Island Fire and Ambulance Station  

Recipient: Town of Swan’s Island  

Project Location: Swan’s Island, ME  

Amount Requested: $1,444,000  

Project Purpose: To expand the fire and ambulance station. 

Thomaston Fire and EMS Facility 

Recipient: Town of Thomaston 

Project Location: Thomaston, ME 

Amount Requested: $3,500,000  

Project Purpose: To construct a fire and EMS facility.  

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.