Feb 12, 2005 By Jenny Susa 2 min read

WASHINGTON TWP. – Because of public concerns about why the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department has experienced extreme financial hardship, the township supervisors asked for an investigation of the department’s financial history by the Fayette County District Attorney. Solicitor Mark Ramsier said Wednesday that he had sent a letter to District Attorney Nancy Vernon asking for an investigation. Her response was that the department must have an audit, and if it indicates any problems, there will be an investigation.

Fire department officials said in December that because they had a $946,781 debt, most of which was a loan from Smithfield Bank, they were in danger of closing their doors. They attributed their inability to pay to a drop in funds donated by the community and the struggling economy after Sept. 11.

Supervisor Chairman Melvin Weiss said that at several public meetings, residents have raised questions about the fire department’s finances.

“A lot of citizens have said something was wrong because they were broke,” said Weiss. “Because the fire department has advised us that they are having financial difficulties, we requested the investigation and they will have to have an audit.”

Weiss said that the supervisors will take money from their annual donation to the department, which is about $29,000, to pay for the audit.

He explained that the supervisors have also appointed a board to oversee the finances at the fire department.

“We have five people now, and will appoint two more to make a total of seven on the board,” said Weiss. “All donations and funds that come in for the fire department will be handled by the board so the public will know what their money is being used for.”

Attempts to reach officials of the fire department were unsuccessful.