By SYDNEY KENT
Fire department funds were the first order of business at Monday’s Ossian Town Council meeting. Specifically, the uneven share of the budget.
The Ossian Volunteer Fire Department is a private volunteer fire corporation that provides fire protection services to the town of Ossian and Jefferson Township, with emergency services to Union Township through contracts between all parties. Approximately half of the fire services are provided to the town with the other half provided to Jefferson Township.
Jefferson Township Trustee Larry Heckber informed the council that the contract had not been updated in years, and was split so the town paid 80% of the costs. Heckber notified the council of his intention to pay for 50% of the fire services in the future. This requires approval from the Jefferson Township Advisory Board.
Heckber said Board President Tim Baker asked him if he could live with a $79,000 payment towards the $200,000 budget for this year. Heckber had originally asked to pay $99,000. Heckber said that he agreed, adding that council member Dennis Ealing agreed to “ease into” the full payment.
“Because they wouldn’t pay more,” Ealing clarified. Ealing also pointed out that fire runs in the county also often require more resources due to increased travel.
“I tried to figure out if there was a reason the township wasn’t paying more money,” Heckber told the council. “I couldn’t find any reason that we shouldn’t be paying half.”
Council President Josh Barkley asked David Haiflich, member of the township board, if he had any thoughts. Haiflich advised that he could not speak for the board, however, this was the first time he was hearing about the matter. Ealing reminded him that he was aware of the decision to pay only part of the funds.
“I think we have to work toward it,” Barkley concluded. “It is only fair for Jefferson Township to pay their half. I don’t see how there is any question on it. Let us know, Larry.”
Heckber intends to bring the matter to a vote at the next advisory board meeting this week. The public meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at LPL Financial in Ossian.
Heckber also made several requests to the council on behalf of the Ossian Revitalization Committee. The council approved a motion to pay $3,000 to repair the signs at the exit and entrance of the town. Heckber noted the committee recently paid over $900 to clean the signs, however, he found a family member of the original creator to do the work.
The lively chatter from the Ossian Parks Department was noticeably missing at the meeting as the crew worked to clean up the aftermath of their solar eclipse event. Barkley noted that around 800 people were in attendance on Monday afternoon at the Archbold-Wilson Pavillion Park.
Tom Neuenschwander with Amstutz Insurance was present at the meeting to repeatedly remind AJ Reynolds to mention the beloved Ossian Days porkchop dinner when he spoke to the council. More importantly, Neuenschwander received the council’s approval of the 2024 insurance policy in the amount of $70,052. Council member Glen Werling noted that the cost was $329 lower than the year before.
Reynolds, Ossian Days Committee President, obliged Neunschander and discussed the porkchop dinner. He also asked the town to repeat the same agreements the group has held in years past in order to facilitate the festival. The town agreed to the various road closures and the dates. Ossian Days will take place from September 12-14. Reynolds emphasized the need for more volunteers and community members to get involved. He also invited the community to offer ideas for the 2024 theme for Ossian Days, which can be done at ossiandays.com.
In related business, the town appointed members of the Economic Development Commission. The county council nominated Stephanie Tucker for a two-year term, Barkley nominated Ealing for a three-year term, and the council nominated Kemper for a two-year term.
The council also:
• Approved a payment of $360 for eight hours of work to the Wells County Sheriff’s Department
• Approved a payment of $8,904 to the Fire Department for Quarter 1 compensation
• Approved a $15,863.75 to Ottenweller Contracting LLC for ongoing work on the wastewater treatment plant mechanical bar screen placement. The project is substantially finished.
• Approved a utility adjustment in the amount of $64.49.
• Approved the purchase of additional stop sticks for the police department in the amount of $974.
sydney@news-banner.com
