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Wadesboro council debates volunteer firefighter contract, property transfer and per-call pay
Summary
Council discussed a 3-year volunteer fire services agreement and a proposed transfer of the fire department property to the volunteer department pending 90 days of title work. Council members disputed whether the per-call payment should be $20 or $22; the transcript does not record a final vote on the contract.
The council spent significant time discussing a proposed 3-year volunteer fire services agreement and an associated plan to transfer ownership of a fire department property to the volunteer department after 90 days of title work and due diligence.
A staff member said the parties agreed the volunteer fire department would like to own the property and that the town and the department would use the next 90 days to perform title work and resolve issues. "When I say we're going to do that, that's what's in the agreement assuming that you pass the agreement," the staff member said. The staff member described a fire services agreement that gives the volunteer department priority access to the building for training, business meetings and its annual meeting; non-fire uses of the premises would be on equal footing between the town and fire department members under the proposed language.
The contract term described in the transcript is three years. The presenter said the per-call compensation had been raised from $18 to $22 under the new agreement; several council members disputed whether the council had previously agreed to a $20 figure. One council member apologized to another for not sharing updated information and said they had been operating on the understanding that the rate was $22. Another council member said the town had been hit by a state funding cut and that the conversation around lowering the rate to $20 came after that notification.
Council members asked whether approval of the agreement would remove the town27s obligations should the property be transferred; the presenter said that if the volunteer department became owner, it would assume typical owner responsibilities, including insurance. The presenter also noted contracts include termination clauses allowing either party to terminate on 90 days notice.
The transcript records discussion, clarifications and some disagreement over the per-call fee and timing. The transcript does not record a clear motion outcome or a roll-call vote on final approval of the volunteer firefighter contract. The council appears to have continued the conversation and noted the 90-day window for due diligence and re-examination.
Why it matters: Transfer of the property would change ownership responsibilities (insurance, maintenance) and a durable services agreement affects emergency-response costs and budgeting. The per-call fee affects town expenditures and volunteer compensation.
What27s next: Staff said it will proceed with title work/due diligence during the 90 days and keep council updated. The transcript does not include a clear final vote on the contract.
