Liberty Township votes to join Paint Creek fire district

In a 2-1 vote, the Liberty Township Trustees voted to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District Friday night, despite a last-minute suggestion from the city of Hillsboro that the trustees hold off on a decision until next week.

There was no electricity in the township building on Moore Road as the trustees held the special session.

The trustees reviewed financial data from the Paint Creek district, and was considering the purchase of a squad, and property to build a substation in Paint Township.

Hillsboro City Council member Pete Pence was in attendance at the meeting, and said that he was there to let the trustees know that the city was going be having "labor talks" with the union of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue next week. Depending on what "concessions" were reached at those meetings, Pence said, there may be a chance that the city would consider a contracting situation with the townships.

"We have to make a decision," said Liberty Trustee Jerry Williams. "You wait until the day of the meeting and then tell us this? We haven't heard from the city in six weeks. It's the same thing that happened (prior to the May township meeting held at Hills and Dales when Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings) called me the night before. I'm sorry, that's not good enough."

Pence said, "I am here because of information I received today. I understand how hard this decision is for you. I appreciate the fact that things have not always gone the way that either side would like for them to go. I'm just here to let you know that's what I was told."

Pence later clarified to The Highland County Press that the information he received Friday came from Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery, and that he had spoken with Hillsboro Council President Lee Koogler before going to the trustees' meeting.

Liberty Township Trustee John McLaughlin moved that the trustees hear what the city has to say next week, give council a deadline, and then if the matter isn't resolved by July 16, the township automatically votes to joint the Paint Creek District.

Williams said that he felt Liberty Township had waited on the city long enough, and trustee Steve Lerch said he agreed with Williams.

Washington Township Trustee Arthur Harless was in attendance, and expressed frustration with the negotiating with the city of Hillsboro, saying that there had been "lies" and misinformation and that "every time you talked to them, the number was different."

Harless, however, said he wanted to hear what the city had to say about a potential contract with the city.

"If the city goes to (Paint Creek) we don't have a lot of options," Harless said. "But if they don't, I would hope there would still be two or three of the townships left where we could work this out."

Liberty Township resident John Griffith, who was the only community member in attendance, said, "What's one more week? We've waiting how long? All of a sudden we've got to decide? I don't think so."

The city of Hillsboro is currently working on legislation after Hastings proposed the city join the Paint Creek district.

During a special meeting of the Hillsboro City Council on Wednesday, Hastings and other administration members met for more than two hours with Paint Creek Fire Chief Bradley George, and district board member Bill Redenbaugh.

On Friday, after approximately 15 minutes in executive session to discuss contracts, Liberty Township voted, 2-1, to joint the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District. McLaughlin voted against the measure.

Liberty fiscal officer Jolene Walker said that there was additional paperwork that needed to be prepared by the township's legal counsel, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.

The fire district, which next meets July 10 at 7 p.m., will have to vote to accept Liberty into the district.

A 60-day notice that they will no longer need their services will be submitted to the city of Hillsboro, according to the trustees.

Liberty Township residents will begin paying the 5.5-mill levy for the Paint Creek district. The issue will not appear on the ballot, because the township is joining the district. Liberty Township residents are currently not paying taxes for fire services, after they twice turned down levies for fire protection on the ballot.

Washington Township will hold their regular meeting Monday, and New Market Township will have their regular meeting on Tuesday.

Liberty Township, along with New Market, Jackson and Washington townships, have been in negotiations for months with the city of Hillsboro regarding the emergency services. They have also explored other options for the services, which included forming a fire district with the city, forming a fire district without the city or joining an existing fire district. 

In March, Paint Township voted to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District, and in April, Hamer Township voted to join the Lynchburg Area Joint Fire and Ambulance District.