Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Madison Township Board again tabled approval of a benefit package Tuesday for firefighters, because it is tied to the approval of an emergency loan, fire chief Mike Lang said.

Earlier this week, Gregg Township Fire Department was denied its emergency loan of $319,000 by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. The DLGF agreed that residents' concerns about the real need for the loan and the additional tax burden were well founded.

Gregg Township fire chief Dave Reese said the department will lose its 24-7 ambulance service and staff as of midnight, June 30.

Township trustee Jim Bolin is hoping that won't be the case with Madison Township's emergency loan request.

He said the loan, totaling $614,000, was approved at a public hearing in early spring. Gregg Terhune, representing township residents opposing the loan, listed many of the same concerns that Gregg Township opponents brought up.

Bolin said Madison Township's emergency loan would cover benefits, sick days and vacation time for three paramedics, a training officer and fire marshal. The loan is still being considered by the DLGF. Bolin said he is hoping to hear something about the outcome in the next week or so.

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