Outside of a full-time firefighter/emergency medical technician-paramedic resigning and another individual hired as a probationary firefighter/EMT, it was business as usual for the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board Monday evening.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported Brandon Allen had submitted his letter of registration from his full-time position effective at the conclusion of his shift Saturday. He has accepted employment elsewhere.

While the reason for Allen’s leaving was not noted, Bill Dixon, advisory board president, stated later in the meeting: “We are losing a firefighter because we do not have a retirement fund, someone snatched him from us. I don’t want to become somebody else’s training ground.”

On the flip side, Matthew Dunithan accepted a probationary firefighter/EMT full-time position with the fire territory, that began Aug. 6.

Discussion among the advisory board is currently being held regarding the addition of a public employee retirement fund to the fire territory’s budget. Dixon’s comment followed a brief explanation from Scott and township trustee Barb Griffith, on their meeting with officials at the Department of
Government Finances regarding the budget.

Scott noted DOGF officials suggested the budget be advertised at the cap allowed and funds included for PERF so money is there if the benefit is approved.

Griffith noted they were told “… we don’t need to put that money where we have been putting it,” and the county option income tax funds could be used for improvements for cemetery improvements and repairs as well as for the fire department. “So we did some rearranging,” Griffith stated.

Kim Cates, advisory board member, asked how close Scott was on his figures based on the information he had since received. He noted he was within 5 percent to 10 percent. He said a conference call will be set up with individuals to provide information on how PERF works.

Griffith was given the approval to advertise the resolution enabling the volunteer fire department to enact charges for services within the township — not to exceed $250 per response vehicle, $100 per command vehicle, $150 per hour per response vehicle and $50 per hour per command vehicle with
appropriate fees for replacement of foam utilized to extinguish or control a fire.

It was noted this is in accordance to what the state recommended the fire territory charge per call. It is expected the resolution will be adopted at the Sept. 10 meeting.

For a full accounting of the township advisory committee meeting, see this week’s issue of The Mail-Journal.