The possibility of merging Tarentum's three fire companies again will be discussed at a meeting Thursday.
Councilman Tim Firko, a life member at one of the companies, Summit Hose, announced the meeting at Monday's council session.
"We're not guaranteeing anything because, ultimately, the fire companies will have the final say," Firko said.
The meeting Thursday starts at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers. Firko said it will involve council's public safety committee -- Firko and Hugh Fox -- and the officers and members of Summit, Highland Hose and Eureka Fire Rescue. Firko said it is not a public meeting.
According to Firko, this is not the first time the issue has been debated.
"Back in 2008, something was attempted, I think it was in March, and it just hit a brick wall," he said, adding that nobody could come up with a good-enough reason for the merger.
This time, he believes it is different. He said the argument can be made that a single department would operate much more efficiently and ease the burden of having to maintain three fire halls.
"The ultimate goal is not cut the quality of service that we have but to make it run more efficiently," Firko said.
He said the older members of each fire company probably are more resistant to the idea of merging, because they are more heavily invested in the companies and their traditions.
"They've got to lose their individuality and that takes a lot." Firko said. "People have been members of fire companies for a long time and they take the attitude, 'Hey, that's my fire company.'
Each company is well over 100 years old. It's going to be tough to say it's no longer that.
If I would have thought this was a bad thing for the firefighters, I wouldn't propose it because I am one," he added.
In other business:
• An ordinance setting the property tax rate at 5.48 mills for 2011 was approved by a 6-0 vote of council. The tax rate remains the same as in 2010.
• Approved a motion to send the seven council members, Borough Manager Bill Rossey, Mayor Carl Magnetta and police Chief Bill Vakulick to the 38th annual Conference for the Allegheny League of Municipalities. The conference will be held April 7-10 at Seven Springs Resort.
• Approval was given to a grant application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $150,000 to assist in land acquisition and demolition on the West 7th Avenue corridor. Magnetta said the application actually had been submitted because of the need to meet deadlines and his understanding is that the borough has been approved for the funding.
