FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — A two-person paramedic unit would begin making runs from Fairfield Township's Morris Road headquarters within two years if voters approve a 3-mill fire levy Nov. 7.

        Without the levy, firefighters say, not only would they scrap the idea of adding paramedic service, but other services would be cut because a temporary levy that has provided the fire department $307,000 annually since 1996 would expire in March.

        “Nobody likes paying higher taxes,” Fairfield Township Fire Chief David Downie said. “We can get additional money by replacing the millage already on the books.”

        The plan to replace the 5 mills the department now uses for funding began last spring when voters approved a 2-mill levy that replaced an older levy, Chief Downie said. The second part of that plan is approving 3 mills to replace the 2-mill levy approved in 1996, and a 1-mill levy approved in 1982 that would be repealed.

        Those two parts would increase funding from $550,000 annually to $1.06 million.

        It is needed, Chief Downie said, because the department is using its reserve funds for day-to-day operations. Those funds will be depleted next year.

        The levies will help the department pay salaries for full- and part-time firefighters, buy equipment and spend $297,000 annually to pay off debt on the 120,000-square-foot, three-bay fire headquarters that opened two months ago.

        “I feel it is important to pass this to prepare for the growth that is expected over the next five to 10 years,” said Paul McKendry, assistant fire chief. “We need to increase the amount of personnel.”

        Next summer, a Home Depot store will open at the intersection of Princeton Road and Ohio 4 Bypass. Plans were recently announced for a Wal-Mart and a Lowe's at that same corner. To serve that commercial development plus three schools, churches and condominiums in the township, plans call for the purchase of an aerial truck, Chief Downie said. That would also be funded through the fire levy.

        The additional commercial development would likely accelerate emergency medical service and fire calls, which have been growing about 15 percent each of the last several years, the chief said.

        Three years ago the department responded to 884 calls. By 1999, it had increased to 1,089. Through the end of September the fire department had responded to 907 calls. The township's population has increased from 9,648 in the 1990 census to an estimated 16,000 today and a projected 25,000 by 2010.

        Long-term plans call for full-time firefighters staffing two stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Chief Downie said. The new station includes sleeping facilities, a training tower, offices, classroom, workout room and other amenities.

        The owner of a $100,000 house would pay $89 more per year after one levy expires and the other is repealed, about the same time collections would begin on the new 3-mill levy.

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