Lake Twp. considers fire levy

0

MILLBURY – Times are tough, but the Lake Township Trustees feel there isn’t much choice when it comes to
asking for a fire levy renewal.
The renewal was briefly discussed at Tuesday’s meeting. The trustees said they would have more
information and possibly vote to put it on the November ballot at the next meeting, July 7. Issues have
to be to the Wood County Board of Elections by Aug. 20, said trustee chairwoman Melanie Bowen.
"It’s up. We’ve got to go on the ballot. We don’t have a choice," she said after the meeting.

The trustees have the option of asking for a renewal or replacement, or letting the levy expire, Bowen
said.
"I don’t know what you’d do without it," said Fiscal Officer Vicki Schwamberger.
There are two other continuing mills that support the fire department. Township, Walbridge and Millbury
residents also pay a permanent ¾-mill EMS levy.
Officials said they did not have figures Tuesday on how much money the levy generated. In 2004, which is
the year that it was last renewed, the property tax brought in about $215,000 a year. It was replaced in
1999.
The levy would be voted on by all township residents, including those living in Walbridge and Millbury.
It pays for almost anything fire-related, including equipment, buildings, training and salaries. In Lake
Township, the 60 firefighters are paid on a "points" system.
Fire Chief Todd Walters said the department is committed to keeping costs down. It has implemented a
program where firefighters are trained to do oil changes and repairs on the township vehicles, for
example.
"We do as much in-house with our people as we can," he said. "It’s a substantial
savings."
In other fire business, the trustees promoted Michael Hornyak to assistant fire chief. The position had
been vacant since Walters was appointed fire chief in February.
Hornyak, who has been with the department for 20 years, will be paid $900 a month and receive a $35 a
month cell phone allowance.
The trustees approved Hornyak’s promotion after a 20-minute executive session.
Also at the meeting, the trustees:
¥ Reported there is nothing new going on with a proposed railroad spur in the Libbey and Genoa (Ohio 163)
roads areas. Bowen said there were reports of activity in the area, but Solicitor Tom Hays sent out some
e-mails and their response indicated the project is still "dormant." The spur was last
discussed in July 2006 when CSX Transportation announced it was resurrecting a project to build a
1.6-mile track connecting Stanley and Walbridge yards, and the trustees told them to prepare for a
fight.
¥ Hired Matthew Winkle, Brandon Lohmeyer and Stephen DeYoung as firefighters at station 2 in Millbury,
effective Tuesday.
¥ Renewed membership in the cooperative purchasing program through the Ohio Department of Administrative
Services for $100.

No posts to display