Searsmont is raffling off three guns to help replace firefighting equipment destroyed in a deadly mill fire this spring.
Searsmont and neighboring towns have been raising money for months after losing equipment in an explosion and fire at the Robbins Lumber mill in May. The disaster killed three people — Searsmont’s assistant fire chief, a Morrill firefighter and a co-owner of the mill.
The gun raffle is the latest effort by those shaken by the disaster to raise cash and restore stretched emergency services. Firearm raffles are a relatively common fundraising tactic in Maine for sporting-related nonprofits, but it is rare for a town government to run one.
A Searsmont resident donated the guns after the fire to help the town raise money. Each one is worth about $750, according to Town Clerk Angela Cilley.
“They’re definitely … borderline collector’s pieces,” she said.
Searsmont, Belmont and Appleton each lost fire trucks and other equipment in the May fire. A town in Connecticut donated one of its fire trucks to Searsmont. New trucks can cost more than $1 million. Belfast and other nearby communities have increased their mutual aid coverage of the three rural towns while they work to replace equipment.
Tickets are $20 each. The money will be split evenly between Searsmont’s fire and rescue departments. Cilley said winners will have to pass a background check before the donor hands over the firearms. The drawings could happen as soon as next week.
The donor asked the town not to draw a winner for the most valuable gun, a .243-caliber Ruger No. 1 rifle, until at least 75 tickets have been sold for it. Cilley said Thursday that the town was close to that number, but added that if there’s interest, “we’ll sell more, obviously.”
About 60 tickets have been sold so far for the other two guns combined, a Savage Sporter Model 32-B rifle and an H&R Target .22 pistol, Cilley said. Once the Ruger reaches 75 tickets, the raffle will have raised at least $2,700.
Daniel O’Connor is a Report for America corps member who covers rural government as part of the partnership between the Bangor Daily News and The Maine Monitor, with additional support from BDN and Monitor readers.