4th time’s charm for EWFD – Fire district preparing for staffing as levies pass
Staffing fire stations in Dalton and Marshallville will not happen overnight. But thanks to voters passing fire levies – for the first time for East Wayne Fire District after several attempts – scheduling can begin.
Three levies with the goal to continue to provide and improve fire and EMS services throughout Sugar Creek Township and Marshallville were passed by voters last week.
EWFD’s chairman said he was happy voters passed a 2.9-mill levy on Nov. 3 that will go toward improving fire and EMS services locally.
“I’m excited that the levy passed and that we’re able to now move forward to provide better public safety in the most efficient and hopefully cost-effective manner,” Blake Nussbaum II said the day after Election Day. “I’m just excited that we can now get to work and provide that service.”
In unofficial results, the Northern Sugar Creek Township Fire District additional tax levy passed 668 to 341; the EWJFD levy was approved 918 to 409; and voters passed the Southern SCT Fire District additional levy 811 to 298.
Money generated from the Northern SCT Fire District levy will benefit EWFD and funds from the Southern SCT Fire District levy will benefit Kidron Volunteer Fire Department with a portion going to Orrville Fire Department, which covers a small area. KVFD representatives have said funds from the 1.5-mill levy will pay for operating expenses. EWFD will use funds to pay for staffing and operating. Voters in Dalton and Marshallville and in the northern unincorporated part of the township saw a 2.9-mill levy on their ballots. All of the levies are for two years. The millage was different because of different needs of the departments.
“The Kidron Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors along with the men and women of the Kidron Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank everyone for supporting the Southern Sugar Creek Township Fire Levy,” according to a prepared statement from KVFD. “This levy will provide funds for the Fire Department to continue to improve on the service we have provided in the past. Our goal is to better serve you, the community, by being there in your time of need, providing Fire and EMS services.
“We appreciate that you see the need for our services to continue, and what they mean to you. We feel this is a reflection on all our volunteers involved in providing these services to the community, including those you may never see directly.”
The complete story is in the Nov. 11, 2020 edition.