Golden Twp returns to Hart fire board

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.
HART – City council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night that brings Golden Township back to the Hart Area Joint Fire Administrative Board.
The fire board has been comprised of four municipalities since 1966 – the City of Hart, Golden Township, Hart Township and Weare Township. Last year, Golden Township withdrew from the fire board effective July 1, 2014, but last Friday reversed that decision and signed a 10-year agreement prepared by the fire board and signed by the other three municipalities in February.
“This is real good news,” Hart City Manager Stan Rickard told the council. “It is much more financially acceptable to all the parties.”
“We’re back to where we were,” said Councilman Chuck Collard.
Golden Township was exploring creating its own fire department due to increasing fire runs in the area.
“…the parties have mutually agreed to operate and maintain a community fire department under statutory authority and have agreed that such operation and maintenance is for the common interest and benefit of the city and townships,” the six-page agreement states.
Golden Township officials were not in attendance at the city council meeting and not immediately available for comment.