The Town of Lancaster held a public hearing on the terms of agreement negotiated between the towns’ four Fire Protection Associations. The two year contract agreement calls for a two year freeze - the same amount as provided the four Fire Districts in the 2011-12 contracts.

The Town of Lancaster agrees that it will pay to the said BOWMANSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSOCIATION, INC., for such services, as follows:
(a) By April 1, 2012: $1,141,527
(b) By April 1, 2013: $1,141,527

The Town of Lancaster agrees that it will pay to the said MILLGROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC., for such services, as follows:
(a) By April 1, 2012: $103,093
(b) By April 1, 2013: $103,093

The Town of Lancaster agrees that it will pay to the said TOWN LINE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC., for such services, as follows:
(a) By April 1, 2012: $727,045
(b) By April 1, 2013: $727,045
The Town of Lancaster agrees that it will pay to the said TWIN DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC., for such services, as follows:
(a) By April 1, 2012: $1,039,967
(b) By April 1, 2013: $1,039,967

In total the four associations receive $3.01 million for fire protection services.

Only one resident offered comments on the four contracts, the writer

My budget archived data goes back to 2001 – 11 years ago and indicate the following:

In 2001, the Fire Protection Contract (for all four associations) was – $1.67 million

In 2011, the Fire Protection Contracts totaled $3.01 million

The percent increase in that time frame was 80.2%; an annual average of 7.3%. The fire companies received some generous contracts that allowed for brand new fire facilities and equipment.

At the same time residential home construction grew by 1604 within that time frame – a 9% increase.

Fire Protection Services are but one component of the budget

The $3.01 million makes up the major budget of the $3.76 million budget.

Workers Comp has increased by 63.4%; a 5.76% annual increase.

Service Awards Programs has increased by 66.7%; a 6.1% annual increase; 20.37% over last year’s budget. Service Awards are the town’s pension payouts.

Although total budget spending will increase by 1.29% in 2012, because of the increase in taxable assessed valuation the tax rate will decrease by 1.13%; or 2 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

With a two year freeze on Fire Protection Contracts, this is a step in the right direction towards fiscal responsibility and I recommended the town approve the fire protection contracts at the upcoming meeting.