By Mike Hixenbaugh
Record-Courier staff writer
After months of converstaion, the Edinburg and Palmyra township trustees voted to form the Southeast Fire District in April.
In order for the two departments to merge, voters in both townships must pass a new joint levy, which will replace the existing fire levies.
During the past several weeks, officials from both townships have conducted community meetings in order to answer questions and dispel rumors about the proposal.
The intent of the merger is to reduce duplicated expenses while increasing manpower by an estimated 5,552 hours per year. The merger would allow for improved staffing during weekend hours and overall faster response times, trustees said.
Listed as Issue 12 on the ballot, a combined majority approval of the new 5-year, 3.75 mill levy on Nov. 6 election would make the merger official. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $118 per year, which means an increase of $3.67 per month for Edinburg residents and a $2.67 increase for Palmyra residents.
Both fire stations would remain functional, trustees said.
During the meetings, a few residents suggested that the extra tax money wasn't needed and that the district itself was a waste. Edinburg Trustee Diane Austin disagreed.
"If it wasn't for the combined effort of these fire departments, my father would be dead today," Austin said, referring to an incident that occurred in early October. "I think $3.67 is a small price to pay for increased response time. I could have buried him last week. This is about saving lives."