The township trustees have voted to merge the Leesburg Township Fire Department with the Northwestern Joint Fire District at a recent special meeting to improve response times and manpower.
The Northwestern Joint Fire District, 21684 Main Street, Raymond, is a 24/7 fire and rescue district funded by the existing levies in place by Taylor, Liberty and York townships. The current district serves a 63-square mile area and contains more than 5,500 residents.
As part of the merger, Chief John Cook asked the board Monday night during its regular monthly meeting to increase the wages for part-time employees to match those at Northwestern Joint Fire District.
“(Northwestern Chief Tim Merrick) and I talked the other day about sharing some of the part-time help, where some of his members could come up here,” Cook said.
He said if the board does not raise wages, Northwestern’s part-time employees “are not going to come” to Leesburg.
Currently, medics earn $16 per hour and basics earn $14 per hour. Trustee Jeff Robinson said payroll funding will come from the township’s fire fund.
“We don’t have to buy new gear because Tim said if they come up here they can just bring their gear up here,” Cook said. “It kind of gives their guys a chance to learn our area too, so when they do finally start coming up here on a regular basis, they’re not dumbfounded.”
Robinson noted that the August sign-up sheet for staffing is thin for August. Cook said only three people were signed up including himself as of Monday.
The board unanimously agreed to increase the wages to $18 hourly for medics and $16 hourly for basics to help staff the station with shared personnel from Northwestern. The new wages go into effect on the new payroll that started this week.
Furthermore, Cook said he has received one resignation so far.
As Cook’s role in the merger remains unclear, he said “most of the guys are waiting to see where I fit in and then making a decision.”
“Well, we’ve asked that question three times and really we haven’t gotten a good answer – what I don’t think was a good answer,” Robinson said.
Cook replied that “it will be fine.”
“It’s a good thing that we’re joining that district,” he said. “I’m very excited about having the staffing here for 24 hours and to give the residents what they really deserve.”
Additionally, Cook said he is working on an inventory list to share with Merrick. The fire department needs a new hose, which is approximately $36,000. With System for Award Management (SAM) funding, the department will only pay between $1,600 and $1,800. The board plans to add the hose to the insurance policy.
In other news:
-Zoning Inspector Nigel Pence informed the board that the Pit Stop, 23255 Route 4 in Pharisburg, has violated the township zoning ordinance. Pence’s inspection of the business found junk trash at the back of the building, the parking areas not being kept in good condition and panels of the parking lot fence down. The business reportedly has violated the zoning ordinance repeatedly and has not responded to letters from Pence. The board agreed to turn over the case to Union County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Thayne Gray.
-Becky and Jarrod Converse, owners of the Berry Farm, approached the board about expanding its you-pick blackberry and strawberry farm on Route 4 within the township. The Converse family plans to purchase an adjoining parcel to the farm “to continue what we’re doing,” Jarrod said. The main purpose of the additional parcel is to rotate commodities.
The current farm “predates current zoning regulations,” Pence said. The township trustees “cannot control or regulate zoning” in agriculture according to the Ohio Revised Code, Pence said, but the trustees could regulate structures and parking on the parcel. The Converse family is growing more than 50% of the commercial product on the Berry Farm property. Pence said the family would need a conditional use permit for agricultural tourism.
Jarrod argued that he doesn’t believe he needs “a permit by law.” He contacted Peggy Hall, an associate professor and field specialist in agricultural and resource law at The Ohio State University. Hall said, “Generally, Ohio law does not allow Ohio townships to prohibit tourism, but it does allow townships to regulate some factors, such as setback lines, size of buildings, ingress, egress.” Hall also said a “township generally does not have provisions to require a conditional use permit.”
The board agreed that the family should not have to pay for a conditional use permit if only growing berries, but Pence said he will discuss the zoning regulations with Gray.
Robinson and Trustee Kevin Dotson suggested improving driver safety by moving the egress and ingress to the parking lot from Route 4 to Kinney Pike.
Ultimately, the board tabled the discussion until the Converse family expands its operation.
-The board held an executive session following the regular meeting to discuss contracts for the trustees, fire chief and fiscal officer.
The next Leesburg Township Board of Trustees meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Leesburg Township Fire Department 12985 Route 347.