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Three levies on ballot to continue fire services
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - October 21, 2009)
Three levies on ballot to continue fire services
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
The City of Chardon and Chardon and Claridon townships are asking voters to provide the money needed to continue fire and rescue services in those communities.
Each community is seeking approval for levies which provide those services. The city and Claridon Township are not seeking increases in their levies, while Chardon Township is asking voters to approve an increase.
All three communities are served by the Chardon Fire Department.
The City of Chardon is asking voters to approve an existing 4-mill levy. The levy generates approximately $614,426 per year and will cost $106.68 for every $100,000 in property valuation.
Claridon Township, which includes Aquilla Village, is seeking renewal of a five-year, 2-mill levy. It will yield $138,730 each year and cost $53.63 for every $100,000 in property valuation. It is one of two levies the township uses for funding fire and rescue services. The township receives those services from the Chardon and Burton fire departments.
In Chardon Township, voters are being asked to consider a three-year, 2.5-mill levy for services. It will yield approximately $388,903 and cost $76.56 for every $100,000 of property valuation. That cost represents a $20.94 increase over the previous levy. The township has one levy to support the cost of the services.
Trustee Steven Borawski said the township has not sought an increase for 10 years.
Chardon Fire Chief Larry Gaspar said the cost for the Chardon Township levy, when broken down, shows residents are getting the service for a nominal increase. He said residents will only be paying $1.74 more each month if they approve the latest measure. "It's very inexpensive," Mr. Gaspar said.
He said the cost also brings the overall cost to township residents more in line with what neighboring communities are paying. He said Claridon Township residents pay about $76 for the services for their two levies. Now, Chardon Township will be more comparable in their costs.
Understanding that some residents may be hurting in these economic times, Mr. Gaspar said, the department has worked hard to ensure it's watching its money as it plans for the future.
A five-year strategic plan, which covers the period from 2010 to 2014, has been tweaked to make limited funds last while still ensuring excellent protection for all residents, Mr. Gaspar said.
He said that plan calls for the department to replace a 21-year-old tanker truck. That truck is vital for services in the townships where there is a lack of pressurized hydrants for providing water during fires.
The department also is looking to add a fifth person for the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. time frame. Because over 80 percent of structure fires occur during that time frame, it was important to bring the fifth person on. He said the addition allows the department to have five personnel around the clock.
Mr. Gaspar said the department had considered adding even more staffing to bring the numbers up to six each shift. But, because of the economic times, the department decided it was better to be frugal just as many residents are doing, he said. The department agreed to hold back at this time with additional personnel.
Mr. Gaspar said the department will be asking for a new Insurance Standards Organization rating this spring. He said a lower rating by the organization will provide insurance savings for residents, which can offset the costs for any increase for services.
He said any resident with questions about the department or the levies is encouraged to stop by the department where their questions can be answered and even given a tour of the facilities and equipment.
The department will be opening its doors to the public from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25. The public is invited to enjoy free food, a tour of the facility and equipment demonstrations.
In addition to the traditional fire and rescue services, the department also provides inspections of homes and businesses, plan reviews for all new building in every community, fire-safety programs for youth, smoke detector and knox-box programs for seniors and handling of hazardous materials.
In the last three weeks, Mr. Gaspar said, the department reached 569 children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade with its programs.
Of the department's 51 members, he said, 38 are certified paramedics.
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