By SYDNEY KENT
After two hours of a heated discussion on Tuesday, a contract between the Jefferson Township Advisory Board and the Ossian Town Council has been amended.
With the amendment, the board will pay up to $35,000 for labor for firefighters in 2024. A contract has not been determined for 2025.
In anticipation of a large crowd, the meeting was held at the Ossian Fire Department rather than the conference room at LPL Financial. Over 60 people attended.
The issue of paying for fire protection has been a topic of discussion at both the advisory board and town council meetings for the past six months. The Ossian Fire Department services both the town of Ossian and Jefferson Township equally. However, the township has historically not paid for an equal portion of the costs.
A new contract between the parties for 2025 has been negotiated — with no resolution in sight. The town of Ossian has requested that the board pay half of the costs for services without any stipulations. The board has asked that they pay specifically for equipment and other items not related to manpower. Because of their unwillingness to pay for manpower, the board’s promised $79,000 portion of services for 2024 could not be paid.
To further complicate matters, in February the board passed a motion to approve a new tax rate for a fire truck, which would be in addition to the debt fund levy currently paying off an old fire truck. Over 50 people signed a remonstrance protesting the increased rate. During Tuesday’s meeting, Heckber announced that the remonstrance was denied.
Multiple township residents raised concerns about the increase on Tuesday. Audience members were not requested to identify themselves before speaking in the public meeting.
“I really appreciate your fire department, I want to keep it,” an audience member said. “My question is this: you’re saying that for 2025, our property taxes will go up for just one year and then drop down?”
Heckber confirmed the question, adding that for a house valued at $240,000, it would cost approximately $70 with the increase.
“So why don’t I cut you a check for that today?” the woman continued. “Don’t raise our taxes, because once they up go up —”
“They never go down,” the crowd collectively finished.
Heckber explained that the tax would likely not go back down, as it is needed to support future fire protection. Several members pointed out that Heckber contradicted his earlier statement.
Ossian Fire Chief Ben Fenstermaker explained that both the board and the town have failed to keep tax rates up to accrue with the price of equipment. He also pointed out the various fire trucks parked in the parking lot outside of the meeting, noting the ones that needed to be replaced.
Board members Tim Baker and David Haiflich disagreed with Heckber, saying they favored paying more interest on a loan for a truck rather than raising the rate. However, the rate was passed due to Baker’s inability to vote virtually at the February meeting. The issue of virtual voting was also discussed. One audience member asked why the matter had not been handled.
“One of our members spends three months in Florida,” Heckber said, who is not in favor of virtual voting. “If you’re going to be a member of my board, I want them to be there personally.”
“Whose board is this?” the same audience member yelled back.
“They belong to the State Board of Trustees —” Heckber began.
“They are ours,” another person yelled, eliciting applause.
“The (cumulative) fire fund keeps collecting even after that loan is paid,” Baker said. “We did not want to start another board that came in and was paying it off, and they don’t realize it and they’re collecting from the taxpayer.”
“Taxes won’t go up until we decide a budget,” board member AJ Springer pointed out. “Right now, it’s a moot point. We may have to start an entire new fire department.”
Springer referred to the relationship between the board and the department, citing a letter from council president Josh Barkley ceasing fire protection services to township residents outside of Ossian at the end of 2024. The services were to end due to the board’s refusal to sign a contract paying for 50% of fire protection services without stipulations.
During conversations over several contentious meetings, Baker and Haiflich insisted that they were willing to pay for their promised portion of the contract, however, purchases would need receipts provided with prior approval on an ongoing basis. They said they could compromise on a maximum of $35,000 for manpower — something they were previously not willing to do. Springer attempted to pass the proposed contract from the town in April, however, neither Baker nor Haiflich seconded it.
Springer, along with several community members, have repeatedly asked Baker and Haiflich what their plan would be if they lost fire protection services. As of Tuesday evening, that question is still unanswered.
“This fire department has been the holy grail of the community forever,” a crowd member said. “You guys think you’re going to split it up — you’re going to be in for one hell of a fight.”
“We’re looking at buying a tanker,” a firefighter from the Preble Fire Department said. “If you wait a year it’s already another $100,000, or so on. We’re arguing about an average of $70 a year (for the tax increase). What’s my insurance going to in January at midnight when I don’t have fire coverage?”
He also pointed out that an advisory board member attempted to seek fire protection services from the Preble Fire Department rather than working out a contract with the OFD.
“This whole pissing match needs to stop,” another audience member added. “Where are you getting the people? You can start (a fire department), that’s nice, but those trucks will sit there. That is just foolishness. If my house burns, you all are responsible.”
“We are five months away from this contract ending,” someone else member added. “Are you guys making an attempt to negotiate a new contract?”
“No one here puts in more time and dedication than that man does,” Council member Jeff Kemfer said, referring to Fenstermaker. Kemfer’s comment elicited a round of applause. “What does it matter if (a truck) belongs to you or the town?”
“It belongs to the people,” Fenstermaker said.
A meeting to discuss the contract for 2025 has not yet been scheduled. The News-Banner will continue to report on updates.
sydney@news-banner.com
