Hagerstown is joining the list of area towns concerned about how proposed state legislation might reduce or remove local control of services.
During their Feb. 3 meeting, Hagerstown Town Council members heard from fire chief Rick Cole about the potential implications of various bills, including HB1233. Proposed by Republican rep. Karen Engleman from District 70, HB1233 would eliminate township government in Indiana, shift management of fire protection and emergency services to county officials, and dissolve all fire protection districts and territories.
“I don’t know about that,” Cole said. He noted that volunteer fire departments like Hagerstown’s save Indiana millions of dollars per year in tax funds, so he’s not sure why lawmakers would want to get rid of it. If they do, Cole said, “somebody’s taxes are going up.”
Council said it would keep an eye on the pending legislation to understand how it might affect local residents.
In other fire department updates, Cole reported that Hagerstown Fire Department had 258 calls in 2024, about the same as 2023, and that once again, EMS calls were significant. Cole noted an increase in motor vehicle accident calls. The department has one new probationary firefighter and two others interested, helping them work up to their target roster count of 25.
In other business, council:
- Opened bids for the Community Crossings funded road work projects. The two bids were $187,688.00 from Milestone Contractors and $284,202.37 from All Star Paving. The bids were taken under advisement with an award expected in March.
- Received updates on blight reduction efforts, including properties on South Perry Street, West Madison Street, Teetor Road and North Plum Street. For some properties where there has been little or no progress, council urged officials to keep applying pressure and consider additional actions as allowed.
- Approved wage and salary ordinance 1-2025.
- Discussed a new appointment to the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. Council member Donnie Benedict has been representing Hagerstown in the group that coordinates planning efforts among area counties, but encouraged someone else to step forward to help get more value out of Hagerstown’s membership.
- Approved renewing a legal services agreement for Jon Madison to continue as town attorney.
- Heard updates on the water system improvement project and the land lease at the Hagerstown airport.
- Heard from town manager Chris LaMar about the thinking behind plans to purchase a new bucket truck for around $250,000 instead of a used one, with hopes that it will last 20-25 years.
The council’s next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 3, in Town Hall, 49 E. College St. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the February 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.