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Board approves $60,000 to local volunteer fire companies and $1,000 to Mutual Aid EMS
Summary
Supervisors approved a $60,000 General Fund disbursement split equally between Forbes Road and Slickville volunteer fire departments and a $1,000 donation to Mutual Aid EMS; supervisors said the VFD payment is separate from the 1% fire tax and the EMS group reported collection challenges and rising costs.
The Salem Township Board of Supervisors approved two public‑safety disbursements during its Nov. 20 meeting: a $60,000 transfer from the General Fund to be split equally between Forbes Road Volunteer Fire Department and Slickville Volunteer Fire Department, and a $1,000 donation to Mutual Aid Emergency Medical Services.
Supervisor Kerry Jobe explained the $60,000 disbursement is in addition to the township’s 1% fire tax and has been covered from the General Fund without raising taxes. The $1,000 donation was described as a “complimentary donation in lieu” of a per‑capita request; Ken Bacha, identified as a community organizer with Mutual Aid EMS, previously reported collection rates of about 50–60% from insurers and said EMS service rates rose about 17% last year.
Both motions passed unanimously. The board did not change the 1% fire tax; supervisors characterized the disbursement as a way to support local responders without increasing township taxes.
