Matt Dunithan, left, president of the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board, Dennis Darr and John Heckaman, discuss a letter Corky Wong, Turkey Creek Fire Territory board member, wrote, during the advisory board’s regular meeting Monday night, Nov. 10. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board approved the 2026 salary ordinance for the Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory during its regular meeting Monday night, Nov. 10.

It was noted workers compensation can provide for lost wages up to 100%. Matt Dunithan, board president, noted how Senate Bill 1 has caused budget constraints and asked how the fire department will be able to provide raises in the future.

There is a plan to bring Senate Bill 1 back into the legislature’s short session and rewrite it.

The board also discussed a letter Corky Wong, a member of the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board, wrote regarding a lack of communication between volunteer fire fighters and the department and board.

The township advisory board also approved the contract between Syracuse Volunteers LLC, the volunteer firefighters, and the department. Nothing in the contract changed except the dates.

Dunithan asked if the fire department was OK with the contract. Deputy Chief Quinn Hunter said the contract was needed as the two groups discussed the future. The contract was renewed for one year to ensure momentum and progress will continue in those discussions.

Dunithan noted there were several late payments to vendors. Township Trustee Joe Cazier, who was absent due to illness, told Dunithan the checks were sent out in a timely fashion and were never received. He is looking into the matter.

There was discussion regarding whether funding for fencing, at both the training facility at Station II on McClintic Road and area cemeteries, was in the 2025 or 2026 budgets. Board members believed the funding was in the 2026 capital improvement plan. Board member Dennis Darr noted all the cemeteries will need to be surveyed before they can have a fence installed.

At the end of the meeting, it was announced Volunteer Chief Kevin Grindle is retiring after 37 years of service to the community.

“It’s been a great run,” he said.