City, township discuss potential approaches

The fire department talks may lead to a partial delay on township annexation.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The city and Perry Township have more on the table in their talks than just fire prevention.
On Tuesday, city council members Steven Andres and Greg Oesch outlined their talks with Perry Township Trustee Jerry Wolford about merging the city and township fire departments.
The three-member committee studying the issue has met only once, in what Wolford told council was a spirit of cooperation.
The city is looking for ways to cut its spending, while the township's revenue is in better shape.
But Andres and Oesch explained that other issues are involved, including some type of a moratorium on annexation for an undetermined period of time.
The city charges a surcharge to the township to provide utilities. But Andres and Oesch said they aren't sure whether the city could bar township property owners who want their land in the city from asking for annexation. That issue will take further study with lawyers, they said.
Other issues
These issues also were discussed:
UThe township has agreed to continue to contribute $40,000 a year in taxes to the city, which gives it to the parks department. The township receives the money because the city is actually in the township. Council had eyed leaving the township to get the revenue, but dropped that plan under the current arrangement.
UMore coordination on land use and planning.
UMaking an inventory of the equipment of the two fire departments.
UHaving a five-member board oversee the new joint fire district. The board would consist of a council member, a trustee, a city resident, a township resident and a fifth person selected by the other four.
UDeciding where fire stations would be located in the two jurisdictions, including the possible creation of a new fire station near the growing commercial area on the east side of the city.
UDetermining future revenue if the fire district is formed. For example, Perry Township has a fire levy, but the committee isn't sure what would happen if the levy expires or is defeated by voters. That issue also will be discussed with attorneys.
Safety first
"We're not putting citizens in danger," said Oesch.
The committee plans to meet again in early August with officials from other fire districts to gather more information. Andres and Oesch indicated they are not rushing to come up with a plan.
Council may place a 7.2-mill fire levy on the November ballot that would raise about $1.5 million a year. The fire department's budget is about $1.2 million a year.
Council also may place a 0.5-percent income tax increase on the ballot, which would bring in about $1.8 million a year. The deadline to place those issues on the ballot is Aug. 19.
But Michael Burns, a Salem firefighter, told council a joint fire district could save money in some areas and could be leaving the city open to possible civil suits. The city has prevented the fire department from responding to medical complaints unless called by police or private ambulance companies that serve Salem.
Burns said the fire department wasn't called to a recent accident in which a young boy was later taken by helicopter to Akron Children's Hospital.
wilkinson@vindy.com