Fire department to respond in township indefinitely

Commissioner Bart Schiffs' motion to rescind the Nov. 6, 2014, cutoff date for out-of-town fire calls for the Harrisburg Fire Department and the granting of Tax Increment Funding District funding to four Harrisburg businesses were the main topics of discussion at Thursday's Harrisburg City Council meeting.

Commissioner Bart Schiff made a motion to rescind the cut off date of Nov. 6 for providing fire response for Harrisburg Township. Council had directed the fire department not to respond to calls outside the city except for cases of mutual aid to other municipalities, hoping to spur formation of a rural fire protection district. Council later voted to provide coverage to Harrisburg Township as township officials hoped to get a question on the ballot asking voters to approve township fire protection funding. Schiff mentioned Thursday there was still a need to respond fire calls and provide mutual aid to surrounding fire departments for mutual aid calls. Schiff proposed the the cutoff date be suspended indefinitely.

This touched off a fairly intense debate among the council with Councilman Ron Fearheiley asking "What is the end game on this topic," and pointing out the citizens and businesses of the Harrisburg tax base were carrying the fire funding burden and that there is a limit on funds available to provide this service.

"I don't want to oppose this motion Bart, but I do want to know what the end game is," Fearheiley said.

Fearheiley made his points about the perceived drain and imposition on the limited funding available for fire coverage while repeatedly stating that he fully recognized the need for the city to be available for fire fighting services and assistance.

Fearheiley drove home again and again the point that there continues to be a problem in collecting the $2,000 fee for each out of township fire call and that this must be addressed in a timely manner. Fearheiley's comments and concerns centered almost excursively on anxiety for dwindling funds and the apparent unwillingness of other agencies to address a long term solution to the problem.

After discussion and repeated statements from Mayor Dale Fowler and other commissioners that the matter is being resolved as quickly as possible in accordance with cities financial ability and the need for providing for the public welfare, the motion came to a vote.

Ron Fearheily cast the only nay vote and the city council voted to rescind the cutoff date on responding to out of city - but in the township - fire calls indefinitely.

The request of four local businesses to receive funding from the Downtown TIF District were all approved by unanimous votes. Two business are creating new services and two more are seeking to expand current services. Morello's Restaurant and DSP Properties are seeking funds to improve and expand their business while Sumner Rentals and The Burg Cafe are seeking funding to open new business facilities in Harrisburg.