By SYDNEY KENT
For the first time, the Jefferson Township Advisory Board considered a financial and personnel plan for splitting its fire services from the Ossian Fire Department.
Board members AJ Springer, David Haiflich and Tim Baker were scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss two items on the agenda: the 2025 budget, and the 2025 fire agreement.
During the over two-and-a-half-hour meeting, many minutes were spent shifting responsibility and reiterating complaints that have been tossed back and forth since April.
While discussing the budget, Haiflich and Baker repeatedly insinuated or referenced that they were beginning a new fire department. As Baker spoke, audience members read the budget — changed in pen — and questioned the board. The pair deflected the issue to be discussed only after the budget was finalized.
Springer’s response indicated that he was unaware of the sudden change.
“Leave the budget as it was,” Springer yelled. “Not this (expletive) that you’re doing now. You’re a (expletive) moron. You need to resign Tim, you’re not doing anything but hurting this community. I am sick and tired of this.”
“Everyone’s taxes are going to go up,” Springer continued. “You’re not going to get anyone to work for you, Tim —”
Multiple audience members attempted to intervene, many asking why this idea was proposed at the last minute.
“We are discussing this now because this was the first time we were able to,” Haiflich yelled at a resident. “This is our meeting. We have a right — did you not hear? We have a right to change (the budget) how we want.”
“We can’t,” Baker said flatly. “We’re out of time.”
Several attendees then laughed, as there have been repeated accusations that the board would wait until the last minute.
“Ever since those (expletive) radios,” Springer yelled to Haiflich, referencing an unnecessary process that occurred for the purpose of providing radios to the fire department. “You have a personal vendetta against (the town of Ossian).”
Springer and Haiflich began to scream louder, their conversation largely unintelligible.
“Let’s act like men here,” Mounsey said sternly.
Both members thanked him and lowered their voices.
Trustee Larry Heckber stated that he did not have the proper time to review the sudden budget change and wanted a continuance meeting. Baker and Haifich carried on their conversation as if he was not speaking, however, this did not stop Heckber’s comments.
“I have never seen such underhanded stuff trying to be shoved down the public’s throat at the last minute,” Heckber admonished the pair. “You should both resign.”
“Hey Larry, sometimes let the results show themselves,” Mounsey interjected from behind the room. “Let’s quit bickering. If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it.”
The board continued to reiterate its issues with the town that they have cited over the last 10 months. Problems frequently discussed include providing line items in the budget, paying vendors directly, receiving receipts, and board members “not having a voice” in the contract.
Several residents pointed out that the board members asked for two revisions to the contract at a public meeting with the town last month. Town treasurer Angie Ealing even left the meeting to make the revisions and returned in order for the budget to be signed the same night. Ealing also offered to provide additional receipts and any information requested whenever the board asked.
Baker eventually introduced the person he intended to hire as a fire chief to begin a new department, Justin Fryback. Fryback stood from his seat in the last row of the audience.
“I was in the Ossian Fire Department for nine years,” Fryback began. “The only reason I am considering this is because we were given an ultimatum. I don’t want to see them split up but neither one of them are moving. I’m not going to wait until December until I do something. I have talked to surrounding fire departments and I have their support.”
Fryback, who said he has not been an active firefighter since 2016, stated that he had more than five people showing interest. However, he ultimately hopes his time is wasted and the parties work it out. Springer pointed out that the departments offering support — Markle, Chester, and Liberty — would likely not be able to help provide protection.
“The biggest asset is the training,” Fryback responded, adding an idea for a mutual aid agreement.
“Mutual aid means mutual,” A resident said. “If you guys don’t have anyone, you can’t provide help.”
Springer also pointed out the logistical difficulties with Fryback working in Decatur.
“So my home insurance on my house will go up to $2,000,” Gene Donaghy added, estimating that collectively with all of Jefferson Township, insurance rates alone could go up by millions. “And we are worried about $122,000?”
Another resident suggested the board members “plug their nose and sign it,” referring to the contract.
“We can’t lose the war with this battle over receipts,” He said. “I know you don’t like it, and I don’t either, but I think the ramifications of having nothing — even if (Fryback) gets something going — it’s nothing close to if we don’t have an agreement … Plug your nose, sign the agreement, and let’s make a plan with time and our ability to make informed decisions.”
This elicited a round of applause.
Baker said he wasn’t ready to sign the agreement at the moment due to certain language needing to be adjusted. Primarily, language that would ensure any unspent funds from the township would remain in the fire department’s budget.
Heckber confirmed the required attorneys could draw up the agreement and finalize it before the continuance. Springer suggested the board agree with the continuance and stop the meeting.
“That gives us time to talk, get to Tony with the tweaks made, and present it to Ossian,” Springer said.
“The first thing I encourage you to do is to not say you’re going to leave until you know the cost,” Roger Thornton said. “Until you try to recruit firefighters, I think you’re going to underestimate the cost. And when you get a good one, they’re going to steal him. To find competent firefighters with the level of training involved is extremely expensive.”
He continued, “Before firemen should go into a burning fire, you have two men go in and two men standing by to get them. I’m not an expert on fire protection, but what I am trying to say is that the challenge of finding adequate people is so severe that I urge you to take care in plotting the course until you know the cost.”
Thornton also urged the board to look for a person skilled in mediation.
“You have strong feelings, and you’re strong-willed people,” he said. “I can’t observe a weak person in this leadership group, which means you’re not going to compromise easily without understanding.”
A continuation of the meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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