TERRE HAUTE —
Nevins Township and Otter Creek Township fire departments are proposing to merge and create a new fire protection area to be called the Otter Creek Fire Protection Territory.
A public meeting on the merger is scheduled for 6 p.m. today at Nevins Township Firehouse in Fontanet. A second public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 6 at the Sandcut Firehouse.
Tonight’s meeting will focus on property taxes, response times and training for firefighters.
The proposed fire protection territory would have an estimated budget of $770,300 plus an additional $187,873 for its equipment replacement fund, according to an analysis of the proposed fire protection territory from the Indianapolis auditing company Crowe Horwath.
The boundaries of the new fire territory would be the boundaries of Nevins and Otter Creek townships. The estimated property tax rate of the fire territory per $100 assessed valuation is 0.2432, according to Crowe Horwath.
The fire territory would provide nine full-time firefighters on three rotating 24-hour shifts of three firefighters per shift, in addition to volunteer firefighters.
The full-time firefighters are estimated to save 3 to 8 minutes on most responses. The firefighters can immediately start toward a fire instead of waiting for volunteers to respond first to a fire station.
The fire territory would be better able to financially provide for adequate training and safety equipment for firefighters, merger supporters said.
The new department could respond with four engines, a rapid-rescue team and a support vehicle to all structure fires in the territory on a first-alarm response. Additionally, three tankers could respond.
The merger could allow the addition of two new fire stations to replace the existing Otter Creek and Nevins facilities, both of which are too small, energy inefficient and are prone to flooding, organizers said.
James Koch, who owns 800 acres of farm land in Nevins Township, disagrees.
“I have mixed feelings on it. We need a fire department. I don’t think we have the capability to keep one in Nevins Township,” Koch said. “But, a new firehouse in Fontanet is money that is unnecessary. If we merge, there is nothing wrong with the firehouse we have in Fontanet just to store trucks in it.”
Koch said a new fire station in Otter Creek Township is already in the works. “That happens regardless of the [fire protection] territory,” he said.
Koch said he is concerned that a new fire territory would be exempt from property tax levy controls for the first three years. Koch said people can still learn about the proposed territory and ask questions at the public meetings.
Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached at 812-231-4204 or howard.greninger@
tribstar.com.
News
Otter Creek, Nevins township fire departments exploring merger
- News
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
- More News Headlines
-
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Today in History May 25
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Study: Cockroaches Survive by Losing Sweet Tooth
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Massive Flooding in San Antonio Area; Rescue Efforts Underway
Hope For The Boy Who Can't Smile
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
