The Fawn Township supervisors expect to sit down with officials from both township fire departments to settle a dispute over coverage territory.
Since the 1970s, the coverage area has been split 50/50 between the fire departments, with Howes Run Road being the middle. Fawn No. 1 is at 497 Lardintown Road and department No. 2 is off Ridge Road.
When the service area boundary was first put into place, roughly the same amount of houses and businesses were on each side.
However, as the township has developed, more people ended up living in No. 2's territory.
That lopsided growth has caused a dispute between the departments — and raises concerns over fundraising.
More residents increases the chances of more donations.
“The 50/50 grew one way or another,” said Dave Montanari, chairman of the township supervisors. “We don't have an answer.”
Montanari noted that each fire company receives the same amount of tax money from the township, regardless of how many people live in each territory.
The township supervisors sought advice from Allegheny County officials on how to approach the situation.
According to Montanari, the county suggested dividing the territory by ZIP code, but that has not been put into place. Fawn is part of the Natrona Heights (15065) and Tarentum (15084) ZIP codes.
Montanari said the supervisors don't have a solution.
“We're open for suggestions,” he said.
Montanari said a private meeting between the supervisors and each company's fire chief would be held soon to seek a compromise.
In a letter sent to supervisors dated May 29, Fawn No. 1 said the existing “50/50” border is no longer even. It said Fawn No. 2's territory has “doubled if not almost tripled the amount of dwellings” since the border was drawn. It said Fawn No. 2's territory has more room to develop, while Fawn No. 1's territory can't be developed anymore because it has flood zones.
Fawn No. 1's letter also said as a result of its lack of growth, it received 50 returned fundraiser letters this year due to vacant homes.
A message left for Fawn No. 1fire Chief Dan Selfridge for comment was not returned on Tuesday.
A letter of response from Fawn No. 2 was read Tuesday at the supervisors meeting.
The letter disputes the claim that the population of Fawn No. 2's territory has doubled or tripled. It states that Fawn No. 2's territory has flood zones and vacancies as well.
“Each year we too receive many fund drive letters returned due to vacancies,” the letter states, “sometimes as many as 50.”
No. 2 chief to supervisors: butt out
Al Ewing Sr., Fawn No. 2's chief, said he wants the supervisors to stay out of the issue.
“They're trying to run the fire department and the police department, but they can't run their business here,” Ewing said.
Ewing feels any changes made to the 50/50 territory split will hinder Fawn No. 2, which relies largely on fundraising from its territory.
Ewing said Fawn No. 1 has extra income from a recreation hall and natural gas royalties.
He said meetings between the two departments regarding this issue have been held many times over 40 years.
“It resolved nothing,” he said.
Ewing said he'll attend the planned meeting, but doubts it will resolve anything.
Montanari agrees that the issue needs to be discussed between the fire departments and would like them to find a solution on their own.
He said the supervisors are merely serving as a mediator.
“It's a dispute that's going to be resolved when No. 1 and No. 2 communicate,” Montanari said.
Emily Balser is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-7710 or ebalser@tribweb.com.
