Fire departments reach agreement
CENTERVILLE – After a debate over the redistricting of service areas in the borough, the Richeyville and Denbo-Vesta 6 volunteer fire departments reached an agreement Tuesday. Solicitor Dennis Makel said the two departments agreed to a plan that extends the Denbo-Vesta 6 department’s service area, since the department has moved its fire hall to a more centrally located area.
Makel said the redistricting proposal outlined the two departments’ responsibility by determining who would have a quicker response time in the event of an emergency.
“It (redistricting) provides better fire protection and will benefit residents,” he said.
Although both departments agreed to the redistricting plan in the end, it came after some heavy debate, and representatives from the two groups had to meet in private to come up with a solution.
Denbo-Vesta 6 had made a proposal to borough council to extend its service area to include 11 additional streets in Centerville, since the company moved its station from along Route 88 to a more central location at 415 Low Hill Road.
But the department’s proposal was met with some opposition by members of the Richeyville Volunteer Fire Department, particularly Chairman David Pohill.
“There is no data, no statistics to say who is closer to what,” Pohill said. If the borough is going to pass boundary lines, I feel you need to do it properly.
Pohill, using a “road/street survey” he conducted, argued that three of the roads requested – Barney’s Run, Spring and Daisytown roads – were actually closer to Richeyville’s fire department.
Councilman Patsy Ricciuti disagreed with Pohill and accused him of trying to dominate the area to be the fire company of choice when the borough decides to pay three firefighters from a department.
“My impression is that you are trying to squeeze everybody out so that you will be the major fire department,” he said.
Pohill said that wasn’t the case and that he doesn’t believe there will be paid firefighters in the borough.
When Pohill and Jody Impiccini, chairman at Denbo-Vesta 6, began exchanging words about which department was better trained, experienced and equipped, Ricciuti intervened and suggested the meeting be adjourned while representatives from the two departments met in private.
Representatives from both departments – including Pohill, Impiccini, Rose Paci, the borough’s emergency management director, and Makel – met in private to resolve the matter. Councilmen Fred Roberts and Lou Gajewski also sat in on the meeting.
President Edward Sukal was upset with Ricciuti for adjourning the meeting, saying he didn’t have the authority to do so.
He advised council to stay and wait for a decision in case they had to vote. Council, with the exception of Ricciuti, did stay to wait for a decision. After about an hour meeting, the two groups came up with a proposal. Makel said he will draw up an ordinance and council will vote on the matter Aug. 2.
The redistricting plan is as follows:
– Denbo-Vesta 6 will cover the portion of Vestaburg located in Centerville; Barney’s Run to the Rebar property; all of Hancock Road; Ridge Road from the intersection of Horton Road to Route 88; Dague Road from Old National Pike to Ridge Road; and Nobles Road from Old National Pike to Route 88.
– Richeyville will continue to cover Ridge Road, from Horton to Route 40; and Tate, Conti and Spring roads.
– Horton Road and the intersection of Route 40 and Daisytown Road to the intersection of Route 40 and Malden Road, including the area of Route 40 in between, is dual responsibility. Denbo-Vesta 6 originally covered the areas of Low Hill, Denbo, Vesta 7, Binnstown and Malden, while Richeyville covered Richeyville and Centerville. Richeyville also has agreements to protect North Bethlehem Township, Beallsville and part of West Pike Run Township.