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Townships mulling ‘generic’ fire services merger plan

2 min read

Township officials from North Strabane and Peters are considering streamlining or even combining their fire services, but a “generic” feasibility study given to both sides has them questioning how to proceed.

A consultant brought in to explain the next steps of any potential consolidation plan and how it would save each township money didn’t deliver enough specific information about how to implement the study.

That was disappointing to North Strabane Township Manager Frank Siffrinn, who said he’s not sure when the supervisors will schedule a meeting with Peters Township officials to proceed with preliminary discussions.

“There was some criticism that it was too generic in nature,” Siffrinn said. “It wasn’t articulated at all as far as cost savings and shared services. We don’t have good concrete information right now. We were hoping to get more information from the study, and we didn’t.”

Both sides agreed last year to a contract with PSSI to study a consolidation plan between the fire departments. The study cost $28,800 and was split equally between the two townships.

The next step now would be to set up a meeting between township officials. What they would discuss, though, is uncertain because the study failed to offer much insight into specific cost savings and plans.

Peters Township Manager Mike Silvestri thinks both will decide to meet to discuss the topic, but he’s unsure of the agenda.

Regardless if they move forward with any consolidation plans, Silvestri said the two sides currently have a strong working relationship that benefits both communities.

“We train together and work together on calls,” Silvestri said. “There’s already a close relationship, and this would be taking it up the next step. We’re not sure if we want to do that or not.”

Siffrinn said North Strabane is ready to meet whenever a date and time can be agred upon.

“Nobody has made any decisions at this particular point other than to say it would be good to sit down and discuss things,” Siffrin said.

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