Center and Elkrun townships want to continue to contract with the Village of Lisbon for fire protection but no longer want a say in fire department operations. Center Township Trustee Tim Novak attended the meeting to explain they propose the village purchase the fire vehicles the townships have bought for the fire department, and they also favor paying a negotiated flat annual fee for fire services in the future.
“We’re trying to give leadership back to the village entirely, where we would contract for fire department services,” Novak said. “With that being said, the two townships own equipment down there,” including some of the fire trucks. The parties are also joint owners of the fire station.
The village has provided fire protection to the townships for years, splitting most costs three ways. The fire contract was renewed for another two years in January, but no sooner had the ink dried than the townships balked at being asked to approve the purchase of $15,000 in firefighter turnout gear.