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Cecilton council hears spike in calls, discusses volunteer incentive tied to local service
Summary
Deputy Griffiths reported 27 calls for service in June and said juvenile arrests are limited by referral rules; the council and volunteer fire company discussed tying LOSAP points to in-town volunteer service and possible town incentives such as utility billing relief or a property tax credit.
Deputy Griffiths told the Town of Cecilton council on July 27 that the town saw a spike in calls for service in June — "twenty-seven within the town" — including a concentration of assaults in Parklands. He said law-enforcement options for juveniles are constrained because nonviolent juvenile cases must be referred to Juvenile Services and "they cannot put handcuffs on a juvenile," a limitation that the sheriff's department faces under juvenile protocols.
Fire Chief Reamy and Fire Company President Cheyney described a draft approach to incentivize volunteer recruitment by ensuring LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) credit reflects time served specifically for the Cecilton Volunteer Fire Company. Reamy said volunteers can earn LOSAP points in various categories but that the town can only award local incentives when points are verifiably earned while serving Cecilton residents.
Council members discussed several incentive options for qualified volunteers. Possibilities included charging qualifying volunteers only the utility base rate (no overage charges) or offering a property tax credit similar to a nearby jurisdiction. Chief Reamy said the fire company will draft a policy defining who qualifies and how points will be tracked; the Mayor and Council will later determine the town-level incentive.
County Council President Bob Meffley said similar discussions could occur at the county level, noting that volunteer companies countywide are struggling to recruit members.
Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting were limited to routine approvals of minutes and financials; the public safety initiative remains a discussion item pending a formal policy and any council vote.
The council did not adopt a LOSAP incentive at the July 27 meeting; next steps are a policy drafted by the fire company and subsequent council consideration.
