Fire department merger approved in Toronto
Trending
TORONTO -- Plans to merge fire departments serving the city and a local township and to develop a skateboarding park on former school property both got nods from Toronto Council on Monday.
Toronto Council approved a three-year agreement between the city's fire department and the Knox Township Trustees calling for it to provide fire protection to about 4,000 residents in the township.
It states $3,000 collected annually for the Knoxville department through a township levy will be used by the Toronto department to maintain buildings, equipment and services needed for fire response in the township.
Council President Frank McEwen noted the city can't own property outside its borders, so the Knox Township fire station will be transferred to the city department's volunteer division but its equipment will belong to the city.
Ryan Boyd, a Toronto firefighter for 15 years, said he, City Fire Chief Bill Scheel and Lance Winstel, president of the volunteer division; have been in talks with Knox Township Fire Chief Jesse Reynolds and others about the merger.
"We sat down a few years ago. We wanted to make sure we did what was fair for the citizens of Knox Township and Toronto," he said.
Boyd said the talks were spurred by a decline in volunteers at the township department, a common problem among rural departments.
He said the merger will result in Toronto's official service area expanding by about 35 square miles, but the two departments have been responding to the same calls for the last few years.
Scheel said earlier the Knox Township firefighters have faithfully assisted Toronto's in that time.
Boyd said the merger will benefit both departments because it will double their purchasing power for equipment and materials while a staff member with the Toronto department will perform routine maintenance on all of the vehicles, including four trucks of various sizes at the Knox Township station.
He said there are plans to to appoint four fire officers for the township.
"The ultimate goal is to staff that station full time," said Boyd, who added he's applied for a grant to employ paid staff, most likely two part-time firefighters, there.
Residents of Toronto and Knox Township are invited to learn more about the merger at an open house to be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Toronto fire station on North Fourth Street.
Those with questions also may call (740) 537-1021.
Council also accepted the city planning commission's recommendation to rezone the former Lincoln School playground near North Fourth Street to support the planned development of a skateboarding park there.
Bill Lucas, who chairs the board, noted after the school was closed, zoning for the lot was changed from public use to residential because it was surrounded by residences.
It has since been acquired by area business owner A.J. Hunt, who has offered to develop a skateboarding park there using private contributions and donate it to the city.
McEwen said while a few residents expressed questions and concerns at a public hearing on the proposal, none voiced opposition to it. Lucas credited Hunt and Mayor John Parker with easing the residents' minds.
There was some desire among the residents for a playground for children at the site, and city officials expressed a willingness to pursue that as well.
In other business, council:
• Adopted a resolution recognizing Warren Hawkins, a nonagenarian who reguarly volunteers his time at Toronto Union Cemetery and the city's Gazebo Commons.
Parker said he can be found at the cemetery on most days, picking up litter, sticks and other debris; and has painted structures at both sites.
"He's a great guy," said 1st Ward Councilman Bob Bertram, who noted Hawkins' determination has not diminished, even following an injury.
• Changed the groundskeeper position at the cemetery from hourly to salaried. Parker said the position had called for 29.5 hours per week in warmer months and 19 hours per week in winter, which had resulted in overtime.
With the change, the groundskeeper may work up to 30 hours per week, making him available in winter when graves must be dug and other work is required.
• Agreed to provide $1,000 to the Toronto Fraternal Order of Police for its Christmas with a Cop campaign, City Police Capt. Derek Piatt said last year, the effort provided coats, hats, gloves and gifts to 35 children and provided about $2,500 in school supplies distributed to students at Toronto City Schools' Back to School Bash this fall.
He said the group will be accepting donations of gift cards and money from the community. The cards may be dropped off at the police department in the Municipal Building and checks may be made payable to the Toronto FOP.
• Authorized Parker to apply for funds through the Ohio Public Works Commission to replace aging water lines in the Walton Acres area. He previously secured a federal grant of about $700,000 for the effort with the help of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
• Bertram questioned a $500,000 estimate provided by Thrasher Engineering for the development of a proposed playground on Wallace Heights property near James Way that its owners have offered to donate to the city.
While he said the amount seemed too high, Parker said much of the cost would involve leveling the 1.35 acre site.
• City Police Chief Charley Daniels announced Clark Street between North Fourth and North Fifth streets will be closed from Thursday and for about a week afterward while crews with Norfolk-Southern Railroad repair and repave a railroad crossing there.