Milton Twp., Craig Beach enter pact

Craig Beach will still own any equipment the township buys and uses.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

LAKE MILTON — Milton Township trustees voted Thursday to enter into a contract with Craig Beach council regarding firefighting services and emergency medical service protection for Craig Beach village.

Trustees voted 2-0 to approve the two-year pact with a one-year option, effective Tuesday, which will allow the Milton Township Volunteer Fire Department to answer calls for fire protection and emergency medical services in the village. Trustee Harold Maynard abstained, since he’s also a firefighter.

Craig Beach Mayor Larry Ellis said that until Monday, people can continue to call the CBVFD at (330) 654-2222 to report emergencies. After that, they will need to call the Milton Township station at (330) 654-9011. Residents will still be able to call 911 to report emergencies, Ellis noted.

The agreement also will mean the township will receive from the village about $38,000 annually from two funds, noted Rick Pellin, Milton’s fire chief. One for $19,000 will pay for fire and EMS coverage; the other, expected to generate the same amount, will come from a fire levy and will go toward buying equipment and fire apparatus, Pellin said, adding that Craig Beach will still own any equipment the township buys and uses.

At a Dec. 10 meeting, Craig Beach council voted to sever ties with the Craig Beach Volunteer Fire Department and enter into a contract with Milton Township’s fire department.

Nevertheless, Milton Township’s providing mutual aid didn’t go over well with everyone at the session.

“If the [Craig Beach Volunteer] fire department is doing such a bad job, why would residents pass a levy for us?” asked Sherman Yeager, assistant chief and a 25-year firefighter.

Yeager said he would like to have a contract at least one more year with Craig Beach officials. Better communication should have taken place between the two bodies, he continued.

Charlene Yeager, Yeager’s wife and an EMS coordinator with the 60-year-old CBVFD, advocated for a joint fire district between Craig Beach and Milton. Such an arrangement would likely mean more efficient coverage for the area, especially since the township is all around the village, Mrs. Yeager said.

Trustee Harold Moore said two years should be enough time to consider the possibility of forming a joint fire district. Before approving the contract, officials looked at costs and likely effects on Craig Beach residents, Moore noted, adding that residents won’t suffer from the change.