Jackson Township hears options on Fire/EMS service

With a small majority of residents in attendance at Monday night's Jackson Township trustees' meeting favoring inclusion in the Southern Highland Joint Fire District, trustees Chad Frazer, Steve Edingfield and Brad Hart said they would not make an immediate decision regarding the township's future fire and EMS coverage.

Approximately 50 people attended the public meeting, which was scheduled in order for trustees to receive public input on the Jackson Township fire and EMS services.

Currently, Jackson Township contracts with the city of Hillsboro. That contract ends Dec. 31; however, trustees can opt out of the contract with notice to the city.

Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and Southern Highland Joint Fire District (which serves Mowrystown and Whiteoak and Concord townships) Chief Kevin Mosely were present to answer residents' questions.

Discussion included the possibility of staying with Hillsboro Fire and Rescue or contracting with other area fire districts, including SHJFD, Brush Creek, the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District, Scott Township (in Adams County) and Franklin Township (also in Adams County).

According to Collins, the city of Hillsboro only wanted a one-year contract, while trustees preferred at least a three-year pact.

"With a one-year contract, there's no end to it – it's constant negotiations," Collins said. "They (the city administration) said 'We will not do an extended contract.'"

Collins explained the recent history of other townships opting out of service agreements with the city of Hillsboro, including Hamer and Paint townships. Liberty Township has been in ongoing negotiations with the city.

Collins said Mowrystown (SHJFD) is a current option for Jackson Township at the cost of a 3-mill levy, which would be enacted upon joining the district. It would not require a vote of the citizens, Collins said.

One resident in attendance asked if there were an option to follow Paint Township and go with Greenfield.

"If that is something residents are interested in, I would be happy to speak with Greenfield," Collins said. "(But) they are at a 5.5-mill levy."

Collins explained that if Jackson Township joined SHJFD or any other district, "You become a member of a group and now have representation on the fire district board."

Mosely said the current SHJFD board includes two representatives from each political entity – Concord Township, Whiteoak Township and Mowrystown – plus one at-large representative.

Jackson Township would have two representatives if trustees voted to join the district and the district voted to accept the township, Mosely said.

Mosely also informed the trustees that a substation in Sugar Tree Ridge, just a few miles west of the Jackson Township line, should be completed in August. The SHJFD currently operates with 30 volunteer firefighters and EMTs.

"We could use 30 more," Mosely said, and encouraged anyone interested in receiving training to become a volunteer to contact him.

Jackson Township resident Jim Moore supported the move to SHJFD and said, "The full-time fire department isn't sustainable in this economy. It isn't just southern Ohio. It's all over."

With the Sugar Tree Ridge station, Mosely said, "We bring the station to the volunteers. Sugar Tree Ridge would be more centrally located than any other station."

Trustee Chad Frazer said, "What we're trying to say is Mowrystown is our only option if Hillsboro doesn't what to deal with it. But we want to put it up to you (the citizens) before making a decision."

"If we join the district, there is an option for a substation (down the road) in Jackson Township," Trustee Brad Hart said.

"There are options we can explore as a fire district," Mosely agreed. "It won't happen tomorrow."

One resident asked how soon Jackson Township could join SHJFD. "Sixty days from today," Hart said.

Collins then added that it would be 60 days from when Jackson Township trustees voted to join SHJFD and the district voted to accept the township.

"Good people have been pulling on this knot for three years," Moore said. "The problem has been the city. We can go to Mowrystown in 60 days. We can't get anything out of the city in three years. We could be sitting here having the same discussion in another three years. We could be with the city for 20 years and never have a vote. (If we go with SHJFD), we have a vote."

(Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings was not contacted for a response. He informed The Highland County Press on May 14 that he does not comment to Highland County's only locally owned newspaper.)

Collins said the 3-mill levy would cost $94.50 on a property valued at $100,000.

After another resident asked trustees if they would be willing to talk with Greenfield, Frazer replied, "Yes, we'll do what you want us to do. We might not have to make a decision tonight. It's up to you."

After a resident asked what would happen if Hillsboro canceled the current contract, Mosely said, "We would take care of you until we worked something out."

Questions also arose regarding countywide mutual aid.

"I don't know if Hillsboro will honor mutual aid," Collins said. "Other districts will honor mutual aid agreements."

"If Hillsboro doesn't cover Mowrystown, will you cover Hillsboro?" Hart asked Mosely.

"The road runs both ways," Mosely said. "We do have a standing mutual aid agreement with all county districts – except one."

"Who's the one?" Collins asked.

"Hillsboro," Mosely replied.

Mosely added that "Our people maintain the same levels of certification as everyone else."

Trustees said they would continue to gather information for township residents and present that at their next meeting on June 11.