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DUNNSTOWN -- Since last year, Dunnstown Fire Co. has been in need of a new rescue engine.
Fire company volunteer Doug Fetzer broke his silence in a live video on Facebook in February to address rumors involving the purchase of the engine for the fire company.
"At the end of last year, we did spec out a new engine-rescue combination as a replacement for our current heavy rescue. We did begin discussion on that unit, however, we have not formally requested to purchase the unit," explained Fetzer.
The fire company's need to borrow money to buy the truck – in concert with the township supervisors imposing a .75 of a mill fire tax in 2020 -- is delayed until the township can solve its debt restriction.
That restriction -- caused by the supervisors disbanding the township municipal sewer authority and assuming that agency's $2.7 million debt – only became known because of the fire truck issue. Local governments have debt limits under state law.
"It is our understanding that financial concerns regarding the unit have come up. With that being said, we have not moved any further with requesting to purchase that unit. While we admit that the current unit will need to be replaced as soon as possible … it is not possible at this time," he said. "Keeping in mind that a unit of this caliber could take up to a year and a half to build, we will continue to explore our options but have no intention of requesting that purchase through the township at this time."
Fetzer then addressed another rumor involved with the fire tax in Woodward Township.
"Additionally, there has been no discussion and there will be no discussion regarding a fire tax increase by the Dunnstown Fire Co. The fire tax was implemented to ensure that fire protection can adequately continue in Woodward Township by the Dunnstown Fire Co. We are grateful for the tax implemented and recognize that with proper financial planning on our part, the tax implemented is adequate to offset the increasing cost of fire protection. We will continue to do fundraising and everything else that it would take to ensure your protection," he said.
Prior to the Facebook video, Fetzer spoke in front of the Woodward Township board in order to alleviate any questions and concerns that residents wished to be answered.
He told the board the truck was going to cost about $130,000 for the first year.
Fred Jacobs, a citizen of Woodward Township, called that price "dirt cheap."
Supervisor Wayne Love responded to Jacobs saying, "It is not ours, it is theirs."
He continued, questioning if the next year will come around and they would have to raise a half a million dollars.
"Do you want to be at the mercy of somebody else just like we are with the sewage system?" he added.
Jacobs responded with optimism that the cost of the truck would be do-able for the township.
"If you can put fire protection in this community for about $130,000, go for it. I am sure that everybody else feels the same way," he said.
The topic of the amount of money needed was left with disagreements in the audience.
Roger Burkett, a citizen in the township, said he thought one other factor needed to be addressed is mutual aid.
"If you want help from your brothers, you help your brothers so they can come help you when the time comes," Burkett said.
"It is our understanding that when Woodward Township began exploring how they could support the purchase of replacing our rescue, they found a financing concern on their end. We understand how this could look like the two are connected but we assure you that they are not," said Fetzer.
Despite the motion to reinstate the sewer authority on Woodward Townships side, Fetzer claims that the truck will only be purchased from the funds they gain from the fire tax and fundraising.
"We can confirm that we would not request the purchase of the rescue come from anywhere but our fundraising efforts, donations and/or funds received by the fire tax," Fetzer said.
According to Fetzer, the current rescue used by the fire company, is showing its age. He said that the unit was getting to the point where it would not be cost effective to put more money into repairing it. He made certain that the unit will need to be replaced "in the near future" but recognized that financially, they cannot at this time.
"When we do replace this unit, it is our goal to replace it with a quality unit that will help ensure that we will not be back in the same situation in the next 5 or 10 years," he said. "We are committed to providing the best service possible to the great residents of our township. We are committed to our neighbor when the need shall arise. We hope that this clears up any misconceptions you have heard and the rumors that are not true. Everything stated is factual and we only want to give you the facts."