(La Porte County, IN) - The issue of fire protection in Wills Township appears to have been settled.
Another public meeting was standing-room-only Monday night at the old school house that is the Wills Township Community Center. Up for debate was whether the township board should renew its fire protection agreement with the Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department or pursue other options.
The township had received an offer to join the New Carlisle Fire Territory. A financial report had been commissioned with Baker Tilly to evaluate that possibility.
Last month, residents expressed seemingly unanimous support for maintaining coverage by the volunteer department in Rolling Prairie. On Monday Wills Board President Barry Halter explained why other options had been pursued. After decades of charging the same rate, Kankakee Township had recently raised its rate by 50%. According to Halter, Wills representatives hoped to negotiate a better deal, but when talks with the Kankakee Trustee broke down, they looked elsewhere.
Residents had stated their case in previous meetings, but a few reiterated their frustration with the process. Discussion was serious, but civil. Back and forth it went, until debate was abruptly halted, and a vote taken. Board members agreed to stick with Kankakee Township. They will pursue a 3-year contract for fire coverage, reportedly for $60K per year.
At the end of the meeting, the conversation shifted to the need for better supporting volunteer fire departments. State Representative Jim Pressel spoke about legislative attempts to promote volunteerism and fund training. Andy Snyder, who is not only a Wills Township resident but also La Porte’s Fire Chief, also spoke. Like many residents, he thinks there will be a growing need for fire protection in the area, with the expansion of the New Carlisle manufacturing area just a few miles away. Snyder said he supports creating a small four-person fire station in Wills Township.
Whatever the long-term solutions may be, Snyder said after the meeting Monday night that he felt the right decision was made in sticking with Kankakee Township.
