Published: October 06, 2009 11:55 pm      

Central City facing higher firefighting costs

CENTRAL CITY — The continuing battle over fire protection in Shade Township has forced officials in this borough to dig deeper into their coffers.

With Shade Township no longer paying Central City firefighters’ workers’ compensation insurance, borough officials say they have been forced to pick up the tab.

“It’s going to create a hardship for the borough to raise the money,” borough Councilman Dan Bulger said.

Central City’s firefighters ended service in Shade weeks ago in the midst of a contract dispute with Shade supervisors. As a result, township officials decided that they no longer will pay their share of workers’ compensation to Central City.

“We sent them a letter last week,” Shade Supervisor Chairman John Topka said.

Central City had been paying $2,752 for firefighters workers’ compensation, and Indian Lake paid $496 in workers’ compensation.

According to the borough secretary, Shade has not yet paid its share of $5,100.

“Hopefully we’ll have the funds without raising taxes,” Central City council President Dan Dabbs said.

The borough currently has a one-mill tax that raises about $8,400 a year for the fire department. But Central City now must generate more revenue to pay for workers’ compensation.

Borough firefighters also have refused to respond to calls in the Shade-Central City School District.

“We’re in a bad situation,” school board member Dorothy Gindlesperger said. “We’re kind of at a stand-still right now.”

School officials are working to persuade Central City to resume fire protection, she said.

Hooversville firefighters have agreed to turned out next week for the annual homecoming bonfire, Gindlesperger said.

In the meantime, Shade officials said they are negotiating with neighboring fire departments to purchase service. Or, the township could start its own fire department.

“Our main concern is providing fire service for the township,” Topka said.

“That’s where our effort is being directed.”

Topka said supervisors hope to have a plan by the end of the month since Windber, Scalp Level-Paint and Shanksville firefighters said they will end service in Shade on Nov. 1, citing manpower and other issues.