Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board President Dennis Darr recites the Pledge of Allegiance before a monthly meeting at Syracuse Town Hall. Photo by Ray Balogh.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Dennis Darr, president of Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board for 2022, described the township’s varied services to the community in simple but profound terms: “It’s all about taking care of people,” he said, “whether putting out a fire, responding to an ambulance call or helping feed those who are hungry.”

The township’s duties include providing fire and EMS service, dispensing poor relief, maintaining cemeteries and documenting gravesites.

By far the largest responsibility is maintaining the Turkey Creek Fire Department. The township’s 2022 budget totals $2,880,491, of which just over 92% ($2,656,891) is dedicated to the general and equipment replacement allocations for the fire department.

One additional budget item for 2022 is the creation of an administrative assistant to serve under Fire Chief Mickey Scott, a move Darr fully endorses.

“We are in the process of filling this brand new position, which will be very good to help Mickey with the paperwork, allowing him more time to run ambulances and fulfill his other duties.”

The department also anticipates receiving new communications equipment in 2022, which will be more compatible with other public safety agencies throughout Kosciusko and surrounding counties.

The purchase was made possible by a $15 million federal grant to Kosciusko County.

Also this year the trustee’s office will continue to utilize an upgraded software system that will “better monitor applicant visits and maintain applicant records,” according to Township Trustee Julie Close.

“Our goal is to provide the best fire service we can at a reasonable cost,” said Darr. “That is the main thing. With poor relief we are trying to take care of people in need of assistance.”

Poor relief disbursements may take the form of rent or utility payments or grocery vouchers.

The trustee’s office is located in Town Hall, 310 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. For more information, call (574) 457-4175.