PERRY TOWNSHIP Salem reviews pact for fire district

A proposed pact would bar most annexations from the township for 12 years.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Council reviewed a proposed contract Wednesday that would abolish the city and Perry Township fire departments and create a new fire district.
In eight minutes, council explained the contract that could end the Salem Fire Department.
"There are no further discussions planned," said Councilman Steven Andres, one of the pact negotiators. Council set no date for further action; the issue is set to be voted on in the November general election.
Michael Burns, the president of the firefighters' union, declined to comment after the meeting. Council did not take questions from firefighters who were at the meeting.
The big picture
Perry Township Trustee Jerry Wolford, who negotiated the contract for the trustees, said, "I firmly believe we're on the right track for the big picture."
Wolford, a former councilman, said he's thinking more in terms of community rather than the city and township. Still, Wolford said, the proposal could bring "hardships."
The township formed its fire department in 1988, when the city greatly increased the township's annual cost for protection.
Now the city wants to cut costs, but Perry Township is more concerned about annexation and utilities.
The city has a $1.2 million budget for a full-time staff, but the township's volunteer fire department costs about $63,000 a year.
Nancy Cope, chairwoman of the city's finance committee, said the city may pay about $500,000 a year for fire protection if the district is formed, a savings of about $700,000 a year.
Pact's provisions
Andres said there's no significance to the 12-year life of the pact. The township wanted it to run indefinitely, the city wanted it shorter.
The pact provides for:
UA five member board: two each appointed from the city and township, which would appoint the fifth. Andres expected the city and township officials would include one elected official and an appointee. The fire district board members would serve three-year terms. The district board would select the staff and name a fire chief.
UThe township would contribute $44,000 a year from two fire levies and part of a $58,000 five-year safety forces capital improvement levy.
USalem would pay $400,000 per year, plus an additional $200,000 a year for the first three years for start-up costs.
UThe equipment from both departments would be leased to the district.
UThe city fire station, a separate building, would be leased to the district. The township police and fire departments and township offices share a building. The fire department takes up half the building, which would be leased to the fire district.
UThe city and township will pay utilities on their buildings. Eventually, 911 service for both subdivisions is to be based in the Salem fire station.
USalem gets $22,000 annually for dispatching township police. The city would provide that service for free.
UThere would be no annexations from the township to the city unless both the city and township agree.
UCity water and sewer tap-in fees will stay the same. The trustees or owners will pay for the lines. Any rate increases will apply to both city and township residents. Those in the township now pay a 15 percent surcharge for water and a 25 percent surcharge for sewer service.
There are about 1,200 township residents with wells and septic tanks, many of whom are having problems with water supply or septic contamination. The combined moves, officials said, would let them tap into the system more affordably, officials said.
wilkinson@vindy.com