Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District to locate substation at former Hillsboro city building
The Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District board has voted to place a substation for Liberty Township in the former Hillsboro city building and longtime fire station in uptown Hillsboro.
According to Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District board president Dan Mathews, a tentative agreement was reached at Wednesday night's board meeting.
Mathews told The Highland County Press that the contractual language was still under negotiation, but should be resolved within four to five business days.
"We promised the people of Liberty Township we would be there by Oct. 1," Mathews said.
Mathews said a committee has been established to negotiate the lease agreement with the Liberty Township property selection.
The former Hillsboro city building is owned by Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings, according to the latest tax reports on file at the Highland County Auditor's Office.
[[In-content Ad]]The board had narrowed its Liberty Township substation sites to three possibilities going in to Wednesday's meeting.
The board had considered a West Main Street property in Hillsboro, the former Hillsboro city building on Governor Trimble Place and North High Street, and the former Chuck Wait Tire location on U.S. 62 south.
On July 10, the board of trustees of the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District unanimously voted to accept Liberty and New Market townships to join the district, effective Oct. 1, 2012.
In addition to Liberty and New Market townships, the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District serves the village of Greenfield, Madison Township, Paint Township in Highland County, Paint Township in Ross County and Buckskin Township in Ross County.
The district currently also has a temporary substation in Paint Township. Paint joined the district in April of this year.Mathews said new fire equipment would be housed at the substation and a life squad vehicle would be added soon.