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Three communities eye shorter fire levy
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - June 17, 2009)
Three communities eye shorter fire levy
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Three communities served by the Chardon Fire Department agreed last week to seek three-year fire and rescue levies for their communities.
The agreement came as representatives from the City of Chardon and Chardon and Claridon townships got together with fire department officials to discuss levies planned for November.
Each community agreed that three years, rather than the traditional five, may be more palatable to residents who will be asked to approve the levies. The current economic climate played a role in the shorter term levy, officials said.
Claridon Trustee David Brockway said the township would seek a renewal of an existing 2-mill levy. Chardon Councilman Jefferey Campbell Jr. said this week the city also will seek a renewal of its 4-mill levy.
Chardon Township Trustee Michael Brown said his township, unfortunately, will have to seek an increase in the existing 2-mill levy. Chardon Township Trustees have discussed the possibility of a 2.5-mill levy this fall.
The communities needed the approval of fire officials also to use the three-year term, because contracts with the fire department would have to run for that length.
"We're quite amenable to that concept," Larry Baptie, vice president of the fire department's board of trustees, said. "I may be wise in this econony."
The communities also agreed to a request by Mr. Brown to change how contracts are assessed to each community. Mr. Brown sought approval for a new formula, based on land valuations with buildings on the land.
He had argued that vacant land should not count as much as land with buildings because there was a smaller chance of fires occurring on vacant land.
The fire department calculated assessments to each based on land valuations and number of calls.
Although the change was agreed to, it caused little difference in the assessments.
Previously, under the old assessment calculations, Claridon was responsible for 13.11 percent, Chardon Township 31.41 percent and the city 55.48 percent. Using the new formula, Claridon is responsible for 14 percent, Chardon Township 30.89 percent and the city 55.11 percent.
Mr. Brown expressed surprise that the vacant land calculations did not present a bigger savings for the township. "I thought it would be a bigger swing," he said.
Fire officials also discussed what savings they have sought to reduce costs to residents.
"We try to keep costs to a minimum, but we have to build in replacements," Mr. Baptie said.
Christopher Grossman, fire trustee board president, said the fire department has traditionally done well with monies provided in the five year contracts. However, he said, in the fourth and fifth years of those contracts, the money became tighter and the department made cuts to ensure it had money for those replacements.
Part of the money tightening was due to rising fuel costs with regular unleaded topping $4 a gallon and diesel fuel hitting the $5 mark, he said.
One of the savings the department found was a third ambulance, Mr. Grossman said.
A new ambulance, he said, can cost between $150,000 to $160,000 and another $50,000 to equip. When the department found a need for a third ambulance it bought one for $19,000, he said, and refurbished it.
Mr. Baptie said the third ambulance was needed because the department was increasingly seeing three, simultaneous calls for medical emergencies.
Fire Chief Larry Gaspar said with two ambulances, he became "nervous" each time one broke down and had to be put in the shop.
"Odds are that you'll have a medical problem, rather than a fire problem," he said.
Mr. Brown said some residents are under the assumption that firefighters sit around at the station and have barbeques while they wait for the next call.
Mr. Gaspar said full-time staff at the station is paid for their time there, but when an emergency arises those called in do not get paid until they get to the station. He said those workers make minimum wage.
Mr. Grossman said in the old days when volunteer departments ruled the area, you might find volunteers sitting and playing cards. However, those on duty at the station are kept busy with duties, training and maintenance. "We're in a different era," he said.
Mr. Baptie said if the department went to a full-time operation, residents would likely see their amounts on their levies quadruple. "We're one of the best bargains in town," he said.
Mr. Brown agreed, saying many residents do not understand what a bargain they've got for the price. "People don't know what a bargain, what a fantastic service they have."
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