By Lawrence Budd
The Dayton Daily News
MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Over objections from a local firefighters union, Miami Township trustees and Miamisburg City Council approved a series of agreements on Wednesday supporting formation of a joint district to fight fires and respond to other emergencies in the city and township.
The two elected bodies voted to contribute more than $5 million from their budgets to fund the new Miami Valley Fire District for the rest of the year and approved a budget and a comprehensive agreement for operating the district, starting on June 11.
“I think everything will work out. It’s going to be good for the taxpayer. It’ll be good for the employees,” John Stalder, president of the fire district board and 1st Ward councilman in Miamisburg, said before the meeting.
Brian Shaw, president of local 2951 of the International Association of Firefighters, said the union decided to oppose Wednesday’s actions after Miami Twp. rejected his union’s grievance of the formation of the district. The union will arbitrate the grievance, Shaw said.
Shaw also called for a vote by residents and cited questions on health insurance. “Slow down, give people a voice. We can work this thing out,” he said at the meeting.
The city and township approved formation of the district in August after about six years of study and discussion.
Wednesday’s votes also set the terms of leases of equipment and buildings from the city and township departments.
Trustee Deborah Preston said she abstained on the comprehensive agreement because she was unfamiliar with it. The only ‘no’ vote came from 2nd Ward Councilwoman Sarah Clark, on the budget.
Otherwise the trustees and council members voted for the budget and agreements.
“It’s been a six-year process,” Stalder said. “I think we’re ready.”
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