Paint Township trustees vote 3-0 to join Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District WATCH THE VIDEO

The Paint Township Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District, with services expected to begin Sunday. 

The trustees held their regular monthly meeting Thursday at the AmVets on North Shore Drive. A special meeting to discuss moving from contracted services with the city of Hillsboro to becoming a member of the Greenfield area fire district was held March 22. During that meeting trustees Randy Mustard, Steve Karnes and Jeff White stated that they were not dissatisfied with the services provided by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, but with the Hillsboro City Administration. 

Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis told the Highland County Press this week that Paint Township was the second largest source of income, behind the city of Hillsboro, when it came to paying for EMS and fire services. The city will lose an estimated $126,000 in 2012 revenue for the general fund if Paint Township no longer contracts. 

 All of Paint Township's funds collected for fire services will now be transferred to the district, if they are officially allowed to join.

Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Richard Giroux did not return calls from the Highland County Press seeking comment. 

The township's legal counsel, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, explained during the March 22 meeting that the city of Hillsboro has said that as of 2013, the townships that contract with them for fire services - Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint and Washington townships - will either be a part of a fire district the city has proposed forming, or they will have to go elsewhere for services. 

Paint Township residents currently pay a 2-mill levy for fire services. If they join the district, that levy will roll off, and they will have to pay the 5.5-mill levy the Paint Creek district has. If the trustees vote to go with that district, voters will not see a new levy on the ballot, but they would have to pay approximately 3.5 mills more on their taxes to equal what current residents of the district pay. 

There have been no hard figures released on a levy for the proposed Hillsboro fire district, but Karnes had previously said it was expected to be between 5 mills and 5.2 mills. 

Mustard, the board of trustees president, asked if there were any questions of the approximately 30 people who were in attendance. One person asked for an explanation of the relationship between the city and the townships regarding services. [See sidebar on the history of EMS/fire service negotiations.]

Mustard then moved that the trustees pass a resolution to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District. The motion was seconded by Karnes, and White voiced that it was done with his support. Karnes asked that there be a roll call vote, and the measure passed 3-0.

People in attendance broke out into applause following the vote, and some rose to their feet at they clapped. 

The board of trustees of the fire district must now sign the joint resolution accepting the township into the district in order for the matter to be finalized.

A special meeting of the fire district's trustees has been called for 6 p.m. Friday at the fire station, located at 640 North Washington Street in Greenfield.

If the district votes to allow Paint Township to join, Chief Bradley George says that a fire truck and squad will be stationed in Paint Township by Sunday night. 

Mustard said that the trustees are working to get the township building in shape to house the two vehicle and two staff members. During the meeting, some Paint Township residents offered to help out. 

That temporary sub station will be located at 12470 U.S. 50 and will be staffed 24 hours, George said. 

George gave credit to Assistant Chief Chad Hamilton for being able to work out getting the additional equipment and scheduling so quickly. 

Mustard said, "This is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to Paint Township." 

Township resident Margie Brunner thanked the trustees and fire district representatives for working to make the change possible, and she especially thanked Collins for her work in Paint Township, which was followed by another round of applause. 

The current plan for the sub station in the township building is "a temporary solution," according to Mustard. He said that he is meeting with township residents and property owners, and they are working on more permanent housing. 

George said during the meeting that Paint Township was part of the district now, and anything they needed or wanted, all they had to do was ask. 

"Stop in there when you see the guys hanging around," George said. "Don't hesitate to stop. The door is always open. You guys are part of this district, and we are in this together. We're truly here for you. There's going to be some growing pains over the next couple weeks, like with anything new."

George has met with most of his staff to discuss the changes and said they are ready to take on the challenge of the larger territory and maintaining a high standard for services.

"They're just as excited too for us to come down and have the option for our territory and our district to grow," George said. "We are very excited. I don't see any reason why we won't perform to what you guys expect out of us." 

The current mutual aid agreement between fire departments still stands as it always had, George said, and that he has spoken with most of the area fire chiefs and will continue to meet and communicate with them. 

One Paint Township trustee will be selected to serve on the district's board of trustees. Board President Dan Mathews said Paint Township will have six months to make the appointment. Mustard indicated they intent to make the appointment soon.