[February 15, 2012] Township seeks help in how to fund fire department Tweet STEVENSVILLE, Feb 15, 2012 (The Herald-Palladium - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Lincoln Township Board on Tuesday agreed to hire the Plante Moran accounting firm to take a look at the township's fire department needs and how they might be paid for. The fire department gets its money through the general fund, to the tune of about $230,000 a year, Supervisor Dick Stauffer said. Plante Moran's study, to cost no more than $6,000, will let the township know what funding choices are available for which needs, such as new equipment or possibly a full-time fire chief. Stauffer said funding choices could include assessments approved by voters, assessments acted on by the Township Board, or a property tax levy. It will forecast the fire department's needs through 2017, he said. Pat Arter, a member of the township Fire Board, said the Fire Board has been talking about the matter "for the past five years." Trustee Deborah Peterson, also a Fire Board member, added, "We have kicked the can down the road for a long time. We need some guidance on it." Also Tuesday, the Township Board approved a first reading of a new 10-year franchise agreement with Indiana Michigan Power Co. to provide electrical service to the township and run transmission lines through the township. Scott Dienes, the township's lawyer, said the agreement gives the township regulatory power over how I&M trims or removes trees. I&M had asked for a 30-year franchise agreement, but several trustees said they preferred a 10-year agreement. The board will have to approve a second reading of the new agreement. The board heard comments from Greg Gomolka of Comcast about how cable television prices are determined. Gomolka said costs are determined by programming -- ESPN is the most expensive -- and operating costs. "A la carte" pricing, by which customers would only pay for the channels they want, wouldn't save much if any money and would probably mean the elimination of some less-viewed channels, such as history channels, he said. Stauffer after the meeting said he doesn't get a lot of calls complaining about cable TV, but "the calls I do get are basically in the area of the costs of the product. It is expensive." The board at a budget workshop last week voted to go ahead with improvements at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Clerk Stacy Loar-Porter said the project will include more paved roads, walking paths, some 300 more columbarium niches for cremated remains, a "scatter garden" for ashes, an overlook by the ravine, and a memorial wall. "We're adding benches for seating and more landscaping to create a more serene area," Loar-Porter said. Funding will come largely through the sale of niches and opening and closing costs, Loar-Porter said. The low bid of $247,250 was submitted by Katerberg Verhage of Grand Rapids. Fees and contingency funds will bump the project costs up to around $275,000, officials said in January. The board voted to authorize drain work of $12,000 to the Evans Drain, along Lincoln Avenue south of Marquette Woods Road. The board also set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, on the 2012-13 budget. [email protected] ___ (c)2012 The Herald-Palladium (Saint Joseph, Mich.) Visit The Herald-Palladium (Saint Joseph, Mich.) at www.heraldpalladium.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]