Cambridge City’s volunteer fire department might not respond to incidents in neighboring East Germantown starting in March if payment isn’t made.
During its Jan. 12 meeting, council easily approved renewing its annual fire protection contracts with Mount Auburn ($1,400) and Jackson Township ($15,500).
However, East Germantown hasn’t agreed to the $3,000 rate for 2026, and it hasn’t paid for the last half of 2025.
Volunteer fire departments often provide mutual aid across the county when needed, but they still incur costs for fuel, vehicle wear and tear and other supplies.
Councilor Mike Amick said it might seem financially responsible to East Germantown leaders to keep town costs low, but residents likely would pay higher property insurance if fire service is a greater distance. He suggested talking with the town’s residents and business owners and giving them time to raise the money, perhaps $20 for each property owner.
Council decided to continue offering fire coverage until March 1, when they expect a response from town leaders.
Clerk-Treasurer Sherry Ervin said East Germantown’s argument is that the town is part of Jackson Township, which also has a fire contract with Cambridge City, so they believe Cambridge City is double dipping.
Council President Jim McLane said he’s disappointed because he doesn’t believe East Germantown is being a good partner. He and Ervin attended an East Germantown meeting a couple years ago and discussed that town’s concerns. McLane said East Germantown requested Cambridge City not increase its annual cost, so council decided not to increase it at that time.
Council approved the proposed contract with East Germantown and will await a response.
Water plant
Adam Sitka of Wessler Engineering said Cambridge City needs to address issues at the water plant that came to a head over Christmas when the plant was running on a generator for several days. Old electrical equipment serving the water system is in a wet basement of a building next to the river. He estimated the cost at about $370,000.
Council supported Sitka elevating the project’s priority over hydrant replacements, and pursuing a low-cost loan from Rural Water Financing Association in case it’s needed. Some funds might be available through the water project currently underway, and others might be available from the town’s water fund.
In other business
- Council learned it owes Culy Contracting $16,000 for assistance with an extensive Christmas Day water leak, first reported in the Jan. 7 WWN. Town employees were thanked for giving up their holiday to help.
- Council approved additional donations toward addressing stray/feral cat issues from Boyd Legacy, $400; Amy Bex, $60; Mark and Amanda Revalee, $40; Amber Colley, $15, to supplement about $3,000. Animal Care Alliance will offer low-cost spay/neuter services. Councilor Gary Cole is awaiting responses from local volunteers before scheduling ACA to take the cats for spay/neuter.
- Council will lease farm ground to R.L. Myers Family Farms for $2,400.
- Council approved two donations to the fire department. One was $3,881 from visitors to CCVFD’s Christmas lights in Creitz Park. That amount was down about $1,600 from last year. The number of visitors declined, and a snowy, cold weekend is partially blamed. Zion Lutheran Church gave $89.45 from its 25-cent sale that helps kids buy Christmas gifts.
A version of this article will appear in the January 21 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.