Some Northern Summit County residents are looking into the future of their fire protection.
The changes come after Sagamore Hills is pulling out of its joint fire district with Northfield Center Township...leaving that township to explore its other options.
And that includes restarting the township's own fire department, an option Northfield Center Township trustee Paul Buescher says would require a new 6-mill levy to pay for it.
"That would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $210 dollars a year," Buescher tells WAKR.net, "so it's basically to find out what direction we take. Is this something the people want, or should we look in other directions."
Buescher is talking about an email poll he's sent out, saying that there have already been over 100 responses. He'll share the results on Thursday.
The other options include contracting with Sagamore Hills for fire protection, something trustees have proposed, contracting with the city of Macedonia or Northfield Village, or forming a new district with one of those two communities.
Buescher says any new option will cost more money.
If township residents want a new levy for a new department, the paperwork to put that on the ballot has to be filed by next month.
The Northfield Center Township house that exploded, and where four family members died, will be coming down next week.
Township officials say that an EPA waiting period is over
Trustee Paul Buescher says that the bank holding the mortgage on the home will bring in demolition crews on Monday morning.
"The contractor picked up a permit from our township, and then he had to go to the EPA because the EPA had a 10 day holding on it," Buescher tells WAKR.net, "you know, to check it out for asbestos and everything."
Buescher says since the home was built in 1994, asbestos wasn't a problem, so the hold is now complete.
He says neighbors will finally start seeing the house coming down on Monday.