Fire department merger, cemetery event discussed in Toronto
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TORONTO -- Toronto Council agreed to move forward with plans to merge fire departments serving the city and Knox Township on Monday and learned more about plans by the Hike Toronto group to hold a Halloween event near Toronto Union Cemetery.
City Fire Chief Bill Scheel said his department in recent months, has responded to many calls in Knox Township, a largely rural area northwest of the city, as its fire department's membership has declined.
Scheel said while the Knoxville Volunteer Fire Department has only a handful of active members, they have faithfully assisted the city with its own calls.
"We all get toned (out) together," he said, adding, "I think it (the merger) is good for them, good for us."
Scheel said the city can't acquire buildings and property outside its borders, so plans call for the Knoxville fire station to be transferred to city's volunteer division.
Incorporated as a separate entity, the division follows polices set for the city department, noted Council President Frank McEwen.
Scheel said all of the equipment within the station would belong to the city department while a separate line item would be established in the city department's budget for funds collected through a township levy supporting the department to ensure they are used for its service area.
The levy raises about $125,000 per year.
Mayor John Parker said the merger has been discussed by representatives of the two departments for about a year, and he acknowledged attorney Mike Calabria for his efforts in the unusual pairing.
It was noted that attorney Chris Haught has represented the Knox Township department and Toronto firefighter Ryan Boyd also was responsible for legwork that helped to make the proposed merger possible.
Scheel presented a tentative three-year contract for council's review while noting there are plans to provide an out clause for either department's protection.
But he and others were positive about the proposed partnership.
Scheel said Knoxville Fire Chief Jesse Reynolds has compared it to a marriage and he agrees.
Lance Winstel, president of Toronto's volunteer firefighters, told council, "I honestly think this merger is a good thing. It's been a long time coming."
A finalized contract is expected to come before council some time next month.
In related business, McEwen advised the city's department will need to think soon about replacing its pumper truck.
Scheel agreed, saying it can take three to four years to obtain a new truck, adding prices for such vehicles have risen dramatically.
He said the current, 24-year-old pumper truck cost about $229,000 while a new one averages about $1.4 million.
Council also heard from J. David Core of Hike Toronto, a volunteer group working with the mayor to develop walking trails near Toronto Union Cemetery.
Core came at council's request to clarify plans for a Halloween event there.
He said there have been misunderstandings about the group's plans, which don't include a spookhouse like attraction amidst the graves, which are maintained by the city.
Core and Parker said instead the Periwinkle Trail along the cemetery's edge will be decorated for Halloween while a shuttle used at the Jefferson County Fair will take visitors along a path where costumed actors will share the tales of former residents.
Core said Carolyn Walker of the Historical Society of Toronto has been recruited to write their scripts, having performed a similar task for the Ghost Walk held by the group a few years ago.
First Ward Councilman Bob Bertram said he's learned of other events held near other cemeteries and found they have been quite successful though some find them to be disrespectful to the deceased.
Core said the event won't take place near graves and the tales will involve long deceased former residents whose stories have been shared in the past.
Parker said the tone of the event is likely to draw an older crowd, and plans have been made to offer rides to the cemetery from a parking area in town.
Core said plans call for the event to be held on four dates later this month, with details to be announced, and reservations to be taken online to avoid a line of visitors from forming there.
He said with the possible exception of the sale of shirts to raise money for the trail effort, proceeds will go to maintenance of the cemetery, which the city acquired last year.
In other business:
≤ Bill Lucas, chairman of the city's planning and zoning commission, said he and McEwen have reviewed the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code and have agreed that in order for its adoption to be effective, a city employee will need to be charged with enforcing it.
Last month, council agreed to adopt the code, saying it would set standards for the upkeep of structures and property and help them to act against residents whose failure to do so has resulted in public nuisances.
Lucas said because of his background and knowledge, Scheel has been considered for the task.
But Parker suggested some property owners may respond negatively to a code enforcement officer, making it necessary to designate an armed police officer.
Pairing the fire chief and an officer also was suggested.
The mayor agreed to work with the fire and police chiefs to determine if grants may be available for the position.
≤ Lucas announced a public hearing on a proposed skateboard park will be held during the planning and zoning commission's next meeting at 11 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Municipal Building.
Local business owner A.J. Hunt has offered to develop the park at the former site of the Lincoln School playground on North Fourth Street using local donations, then donate it to the city.
But the lot is in a residential area, so input must be accepted by neighbors there.
≤ Council accepted a three-year contract negotiated by Parker with about 20 city personnel who are members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The employees, who include staff not employed in the city's emergency departments, will receive a 3 percent raise in each of the three years, as was approved for the city's police and paid firefighters earlier this year.
≤ Council set trick or treating hours as 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the request of Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla, who has asked area communities to adopt the same hours.
McEwen said residents who plan to give out treats should put their lights on.
Parker said the Focus in Toronto group has made plans for a Halloween parade for 3:30 p.m. that day, with details to be announced.