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Madison Twp. seeks police levy in 2010
(by Linda Dillman, staff writer - December 17, 2009)
Facing another fiscal year with no new revenue for the police department, Madison Township is investigating the possibility of placing a police levy on the ballot in 2010.
At their Dec. 16 meeting, the Madison Township trustees approved a request giving the go-ahead to Township Administrator Larry Flowers and Police Chief Greg Ryan to propose/prepare a levy and notify the Franklin County auditor's office and the county board of elections.
Madison Township voters last approved a continuing police levy issue in 1986. Coupled with three other levies, the total millage collected by the township for law enforcement is 6.1 mills.
"This is the first step in gathering information on the millage and what the increase would be," said Trustee Susan Brobst. "We've always had a funding issue and it's come time to look at options. In the months to come, we'll have more information to share."
Trustee Jim Hummel said the trustees took a hard, close look at the police budget.
"People want good police coverage," said Hummel. "The world isn't getting any safer. Let's get this money in here to let our police department operate in the right way."
During department reports, Detective Jim Galvin said the police department recently subscribed to a program connecting law enforcement with pawn shops in an effort to curb theft and burglaries. Galvin said information is entered into a data base and shared with the shops and police departments.
"Last Friday we already got a hit and solved a burglary," stated Galvin, who said the subscription fee is paid through a seizure fund.
Commenting on crime in the township and the need for new revenue, retired police officer Gary McDonald said he watched the department and community grow over the years. He follows law enforcement activity through a police scanner and noted a lot of burglaries are occurring in Madison Township.
"The detective bureau is doing good service to this community," said McDonald. "We need the department. We need the officers."
In other discussion, the trustees approved a mutual aid contract with the Pickaway County Firefighters Association, accepted the retirement of firefighters Ed B. Dildine and Anthony Robinette, and increased a pension fund pick-up for firefighters from 8.0 percent to 8.5 percent. As a result of the pair of retirements, a conditional offer of employment was extended to two part-time firefighter candidates for full-time positions.
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