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Residents fault trustees' management and past construction overruns during levy debate
Summary
Several residents criticized trustees for fiscal decisions tied to a prior fire station renovation, alleging cost overruns and poor oversight; one resident asked the board not to ask taxpayers to cover what he called the trustees' management failures.
Multiple residents used the public‑comment period to press trustees on past construction oversight and questioned whether taxpayers should be asked to cover ongoing operating shortfalls.
Tom Johnson, who identified himself as a resident, told the trustees that "voting no on this ballot issue is not a statement against the fire department" but said he opposed placing the levy on the ballot while the township still has unresolved construction overages. He alleged the renovation/bond project incurred cost overruns (he cited about $1,000,000) and said those overruns should not be shifted to the fire department or taxpayers without clearer accounting and accountability.
Other speakers echoed that concern and asked for clearer, plain‑language materials for voters and for trustees to pursue settlements and audit outcomes before relying on additional levy revenue. Trustees acknowledged the concerns, said a state auditor review is underway for the 2024 audit, and said legal negotiations with contractor and architect must finish before they can settle who bears the cost.
