For the first time in 30 years, the Tri-Township Fire Protection District may not re-enter a contract with the Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department.
At a recent meeting, the district board voted to explore options outside of renegotiating the regular contract after a fact-finding committee spent six weeks looking into what they say are concerns with the department. The board voted that night to look into assuming responsibility of its own department; findings will be presented at the March 19 public meeting and a vote possible that night. The district, which covers approximately 65 square miles comprised of Carr, Silver Creek and Union townships, was established in 1987 and has contracted with the Sellersburg department since 1988. The current contract, which took effect at the start of 2016, is set to expire Dec. 31.
At the board's January meeting, it was reopened and a committee of board chair Dale Cooke and member and fiscal officer Ray Dreyer agreed to gather information regarding a potential contract renegotiation and report back at the following meeting.