By SYDNEY KENT
There are no solutions in sight for Jefferson Township residents outside of Ossian hoping to have fire protection on Jan. 1, 2025.
The township advisory board met Monday evening to discuss the fire agreement between the department, the township, and the town. Board President Tim Baker walked out of the meeting out of anger an hour after it began.
Historically, Ossian has paid a significantly higher portion of the fire budget — despite an equal portion of fire runs to the town and the township. After many disagreements throughout nearly six months of meetings, the parties agreed to amend the contract for 2024 in July. The amendment allowed for the advisory board to contribute $35,000 for manpower for firefighters to pay its promised portion of the budget. Baker and board member David Haiflich were previously against paying for manpower, which was chastised by the council.
Baker has also taken issue with giving a check for half of the budget rather than paying for specific items, paying for a hydrant rental, and as of Monday’s meeting, paying for half of the fuel cost.
Ossian Fire Chief Ben Fenstermaker explained the entirety of the budget, including the amount allotted for fuel. He emphasized that any funds not needed for fuel would be carried over to next year’s budget. When Baker questioned the cost of fuel once again, Township Trustee Larry Heckber explained that additional funds from the line item could also be put towards repairs.
Former Jefferson Township trustee Lloyd Meyer was present at the meeting. Meyer explained that in the past, the town and township separately paid for everything.
“It’s a whole different world than we had years ago,” Gene Donaghy said. “Back then, you didn’t have to pay for firemen. We had volunteers. This is not the case anymore. We are here as a community. Jefferson Township and Ossian are communities, and we need to work together.”
Donaghy also noted that his insurance agent had told him that without fire protection from Ossian, his insurance would increase by approximately $2,000 per year.
“The town and township have both done this in the past,” Fenstermaker said. “They separate us into separate entities, but we are not. The only people in this room that believe that, I think, are the board members. My firemen do not, we don’t care what truck goes on what type of run, it doesn’t matter if it is in the town or township. You get the same service, the same tactics, the same amount of manpower.”
Though the topic has been discussed for over eight months in both township and council meetings, the issue is at least three decades old.
Heckber cited a letter from the town to the township discounting fire protection services from November 1995. He also cited an article from July 2010 referencing the same issue of unequal payment for services.
Baker used this reference to claim that this was the town’s third attempt to “take control” of the township. The statement was met with a wave of groans from the audience.
“Do you have a plan for Jan. 1?” resident Dave Rittmeyer asked. “I couldn’t give a crap about the $16,000 for gas. I’m not going to argue that you have to look at every line item … Give me a plan as a resident. I need to know that my house is covered. It’s really simple — yes or no. Do you have a plan?”
Baker began to explain that he talked to the Preble Fire Department about coverage before several frustrated members of the crowd spoke over him. He then packed his things and left the meeting.
“The town council has a plan,” Heckber responded. “I have a plan, and one of the members of our board has a plan. It is the fire agreement that we just passed out. Two of the members of my board are fighting that fire agreement. If those two members sign that agreement on Sept. 9 at our next meeting, you will have fire protection next year.”
Board member AJ Springer has been in favor of paying half of the budget since the topic was first discussed. Heckber emphasized that if an agreement is not signed soon, it will be too late for the board to change their minds and services will be discontinued in 2025 for Jefferson Township residents.
“I think a good question to ask is this,” Fenstermaker said as the meeting ended. “Is the board just stalling?”
The advisory board is scheduled to meet with the Town of Ossian before the next council meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 9.
sydney@news-banner.com
