DEAR EDITOR: I thought your Feb. 25 editorial on the Girard Lakes “mess” was needed and quite good. But there were some aspects not included that deserve
Feb 24, 2021
It was 2017 when Liberty Township and Girard city officials spent time exploring the possibility of merging their fire departments to create a fire district.
The effort was met with much opposition by residents worried about the potential of increased response times and firefighters likely fearing job loss but a study that could have determined whether these concerns were legitimate never went forward.
That’s a shame because now, four years later, we still don’t know the costs, risks and feasibility of such a merger. And once again, merger discussions are being broached.
In 2017, Liberty trustees had voted 3-0 to proceed with the study, but Girard never approved a resolution to approve such a study.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com
GIRARD With interest from Liberty and Weathersfield officials in forming a fire district, Girard fire Chief Ken Bornemiss will set up a meeting with chiefs from the two townships to study the pros and cons.
Mayor James Melfi told city council Monday that Bornemiss will begin the talks first with Liberty fire Chief Gus Birch and Weathersfield fire Chief Tom Lambert to go over the advantages and disadvantages of forming a district involving the three communities and possibly others.
“We are going to let the fire chiefs begin the talks, who will then report to their officials what has taken place. We will see what they come up with, and then the leaders will sit down,” Melfi said.
GIRARD City officials are reaching out to Liberty and Weathersfield townships to see if they may be interested in forming a joint fire district.
One key element to such an organization would be agreement on a levy based on property taxes to cover fire district expenses.
Mayor James Melfi said Girard council late last year gave its approval for officials to look into what would be involved in creating a district with the city’s neighboring communities.
Melfi and Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert are expected to reach out to these communities to see if there would be an interest and then inform council at its next meeting 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 of what has been discussed.
GIRARD Girard city officials are reaching out to Liberty and Weathersfield townships to see if they may be interested in forming a joint fire district.
One key element to such an organization would be agreement on a levy based on property taxes to cover fire district expenses.
Mayor James Melfi said Girard council late last year gave its approval for officials to look into what would be involved in creating a district with the city’s neighboring communities.
Melfi and Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert are expected to reach out to these communities to see if there would be an interest and then inform council at its next meeting 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 of what has been discussed.