ELYSBURG - Ralpho Township supervisors were informed Tuesday evening that the Elysburg Fire and Rescue companies may be out of money by October.
Harvey Boyer, president of the Elysburg Fire Company, submitted and read a prepared statement at the supervisors' meeting and read aloud a five-point letter describing the financial strains the companies are experiencing.
Boyer said investigations by the fire department revealed several problem areas, including supporting the ambulance service.
The Elysburg Volunteer Fire Company annual expenses related to the ambulance service are between $13,000 and $18,000.
"This expense can no longer be absorbed by the (fire) department as we look forward to upkeep of equipment, appliance and building maintenance," Boyer said. "The service is operating on the lowest possible level."
The ambulance service employs three full-time employees. The rest are part time. These employees have not seen a raise since 2008, Boyer said.
Boyer said if financial help doesn't come through soon, the fire and rescue companies will not be able to function.
Patients not paying bills
More than 4,000 membership pamphlets were sent out to the community last year, but only 800 returns were received.
Boyer added that almost 50 percent of the patients they serve have not paid their bills. In previous years, it was closer to 30 percent.
He pointed out that some patients have received insurance checks but have not used them to pay for fire or rescue service, which is a form of insurance fraud. The company is looking into taking legal action, he added.
The board voted to give the companies $20,000, which was budgeted to be distributed later in the year. Supervisors continued to discuss possible ways to further help out. Supervisor Blaine Madara said the companies' goal is not to make a profit, just make ends meet.
"It's time to stop the bleeding," he said.
'Tremendous setback'
When informed about the fire company's concerns Wednesday, state Rep. Kurt Masser said he planned to contact Boyer. Masser said that after he is briefed on the companies' problem, he will investigate what, if any, assistance can be provided through his office.
Northumberland County Public Safety Director Jerome Alex said he has heard rumors about financial problems with the Elysburg fire and rescue companies, but received nothing official from fire company officials.
He said if the fire company and ambulance services were forced to shut down, it would be up to Ralpho Township officials to determine which neighboring fire and ambulance companies would serve as the primary responders in the Elysburg area. He said in the vast majority of cases, the next closest fire or ambulance service would be dispatched for calls.
Joseph Muscato, public relations director at Knoebels Amusement Resort, said losing the Elysburg fire and rescue services would be a tremendous setback for the entire area.
"They are a very important resource not only to us, but the entire community," he said. "Some of their members work here and they provide a great service. But it's getting harder and harder to pay expenses for fire and emergency services, and it's also getting more difficult to get volunteers."
Muscato said park officials would choose the next closest and available fire and ambulance units to provide services at the amusement resort if the Elysburg companies had to shut down. He noted the park, which is located in three townships, also is provided fire, police and emergency services from other nearby communities.
In other business
The supervisors took a 17-minute recess from their monthly meeting to hold a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Jamie Shrawder, project coordinator for community development, SEDA-COG, explained the rules, stipulations and application processes necessary to receive funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The township would receive money every year for three years. It would receive $67,554 the first year, with $14,793 going to the county for administrative costs.
Thirty percent of the money can be used to remove blighted structures. The remaining funds must be used to benefit low-to-moderate income individuals.
The board chose to start with blighted building demolition and sewer line repairs. The process for receiving the funds takes time, Shrawder said. Following approval, it could take six to nine months before the project begins.
Department reports were presented by Harvey Boyer, planning commission; Vince Daubert, streets; Madara, buildings and zoning; Stephen Major, police and safety; Chip Wetzel, recreation; and Dan Williams, recycling. Township manager Joseph Springer, solicitor Todd Kerstetter and engineer Justin Keister also presented reports.