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Pa. fire dept. buys house to rent out for revenue

It isn’t unique for a department to branch out from traditional fundraising activities, but it’s uncommon to assume the role of landlord

TribLive.com

IRWIN, Pa. — Like most volunteer fire departments, Circleville in North Huntingdon has to rely on subscriptions, bingo, gun bashes and a summer carnival to help fund its operations.

Now the company is hoping to raise money by collecting a monthly rent check for property next door. According to the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds office, Carol Santia of California sold the one-story brick house at 231 Clay Pike Road to the fire department in January for $155,000. Santia is listed as a stepdaughter of the home’s long-time owner, Anna M. Cipra, who died June 8, 2014, at age 90.

“The lady who lived there passed away last year, and a family member asked us if we would be interested in buying the house,” said Tony Martino, Circleville’s president. “So we brought the offer to our members, and they decided to give it a try.”

Full story: Circleville VFD becomes landlord in search of steady revenue