Stacy, Lent agree on joint powers contract

By Barbara Brown
It looks like the city of Stacy and Lent Township have put aside any animosity and have worked out a new joint powers agreement for operation of the Stacy-Lent Area Volunteer Fire Department ñ at least for a little while.
The two boards, sitting as the Joint Powers Committee, Monday night agreed to a two-year joint powers agreement for operation of the fire hall.
In the agreement, Stacy would take the responsibility of paying for its share of operating expenses, while Lent Township would pay the bill on the new fire hall construction and whatever cost is associated with the land on which it was built, in addition to its share of operating expenses.
In one year, the committee agreed, the group would reassess the agreement and work out a permanent plan.
Stacy and Lent have been battling for years about the joint operation of the fire department.
Both groups have lobbied and stonewalled during the past year as the board tried to come to an agreement about the construction of a new fire hall.
Nearly two years ago, Lent sent notice to Stacy that it wanted to discontinue the previous joint powers agreement, which was effective for 10 years.
Originally, Lent wanted out because that agreement had to be stopped in order to make changes that would include the new fire hall, financing and division of financial responsibility.
After amiable discussions Monday night, the groups agreed on the new contract.
Discussions in one year will focus on the division of expenses. Stacy could not afford to take the responsibility this year for paying on the construction of the fire hall.
Taxes for the city probably will go up next year and the council will tax for additional expenses for the new fire hall as well.

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