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Supervisors on Nov. 10 voted to establish Weaverland Fire Council, a seven-member board designed to help improve local fire department coverage and advise how money should be allocated among Blue Ball, Goodville and Terre Hill fire companies.
But presidents from Blue Ball and Goodville fire companies declined East Earl's invitation to join the council because they consider it a veiled strategy by the township to merge their volunteer organizations.
At their regular monthly meeting, supervisors rejected a counter proposal submitted by Blue Ball Fire Company President Larry Coldren. It would have guaranteed that Blue Ball and Goodville fire companies maintain "independent identities."
Coldren objected to the configuration of the council, which will include one representative from each of the three fire companies, a resident from East Earl and Terre Hill chosen by elected officials, and a representative from each municipality's governing body.
"In other words, the fire companies would be out-voted four to three every time," Coldren said.
East Earl supervisors argued that the Weaverland Fire Council follows the directives established by a special task force, which studied fire service in the area for two years. But critics say the township only cherry-picked components from the study that give the municipality greater control over the fire companies.
"(Weaverland Fire Council) is just an empty shell compared to what was originally presented by the fire task force after two years of study," said Ron Martin, who was a member of the fire task force.
Martin, who said he is not affiliated with any fire company, accused East Earl of "dangling a carrot" and exploiting the fire companies' funding crisis and need to replace aging fire equipment.
Supervisor David Zimmerman said East Earl is waiting for recommendations from the fire council to decide how to distribute about $70,000 in capital-improvement funds — including $10,000 put up by Terre Hill — among the three fire companies in 2009.
"If it becomes a matter of just holding up the funding that was promised for them if they don't comply with this, than I'd have to agree that it seems to be a pressure tactic by the board of supervisors to force them into compliance and into consolidation," Martin said.
Supervisors have repeatedly dismissed similar charges made by the fire companies, which have delayed the formation of the fire council for several months. Supervisor Earl Kreider said East Earl created the fire council to help the community address outstanding issues and future needs, including the potential option of consolidating fire companies.
"We're going to try to utilize the strength of each the three fire companies who protect the residents and the property in the township," Kreider said.
The East Earl supervisors and Terre Hill Borough Council for the first time last year budgeted funds in an escrow account for the purchase of new fire vehicles.
Coldren said Terre Hill Fire Company. should not receive funding from the account because it does not provide significant fire protection in East Earl. He said last month that Blue Ball and Goodville fire companies would not participate on the council if Terre Hill Fire Company were included.
Supervisors argue that Terre Hill Fire Company provides service to 25.5 percent of properties in East Earl Township and serves nearly 19 percent of the population — based on data from Lancaster County 2005 Property Reassessments report.
If the fire companies refuse to participate on the fire council, East Earl said it will distribute funds to fire companies using a formula based on each fire company's total coverage of assessed real estate value, area and percentage of the population in the township.
"The fire council can come up with some other formats if you allow it to be formed and come up with decisions," Supervisor Joe Shriver told Coldren.
