Residents press council to clarify fire‑station plans as consolidation debate continues

Multiple residents used public comment time on Tuesday to press the council on plans for a potential consolidated fire‑EMS facility, reacting to news reports that described West Long Drive as the selected site. The mayor and council repeatedly told residents that no final decision had been made and that the fire‑study is a feasibility exercise, not a site selection.

A resident cited a local newspaper article and said it presented consolidation as a done deal; council members responded that they have not selected a location and that other options remain under review. The mayor and counsel clarified that the fire‑safety subcommittee is examining feasibility, staffing and funding and that site selection would come later in the process.

Council members discussed the complex ownership history of three volunteer firehouses, noting that some properties were originally built and funded by volunteer companies and were later conveyed to the township under deeds that included reverter clauses. That history complicates options for consolidation, officials said.

Several residents asked the township to issue a clear public statement to correct inaccurate impressions. Council and staff agreed a press release affirming that no final decision has been made would be appropriate and assigned staff to coordinate messaging with the governing body before release.

Next steps: council asked staff to prepare a draft press release for governing‑body review and to provide an update on the fire‑safety committee’s timeline at a future meeting.