Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub| June 11, 2020 

The Huron Township Department of Public Safety will have a millage request on the Aug. 4 Primary Election ballot.

The wording was approved by the Huron Township Board of Trustees during a recent meeting.

The millage is specific to the Huron Township Fire Department and Emergency Dispatch Center for use to upgrade equipment, make building improvements, and purchase fire response vehicles such as fire trucks, said Public Safety Director Everette Robbins.

Robbins and Fire Chief Jamie Hinojosa will be conducting a series of town hall meetings over the next several weeks to speak to residents regarding the millage.

Announcements for these meetings will be made on The Huron Hub, as well as the Huron Township Department of Public Safety Facebook page.

“This is an important millage for the future of the fire service here in Huron Township. It is important that we try and secure funds to improve our fire department’s facilities and emergency response equipment. Make no mistake, we have an incredible group of men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our community. The clear goal here is to make sure we can provide them with the necessary tools to keep themselves safe as they serve our residents, especially when time is critical,” Robbins said.

“It is not in any way lost on us as to how the Pandemic has affected our residents economically. While we realize that there is never a perfect time to ask the community for a millage, I was able to see first-hand how important our staff was to our community over the past few months as we battled COVID-19. As not only the Director, but also as a resident, I could not be prouder of how our Fire Staff represented our community during the pandemic. My hope is that as a community, we can thank them for their service by at least considering and hopefully supporting a millage that will give them the equipment they need to provide Huron Township with the quality service we have come to expect and deserve.”

The fire department is looking for volunteers to be a part of a citizen millage committee. The committee will assist the public safety department with getting information out to residents.

Residents interested in volunteering are asked to email Robbins at erobbins@hurontwppd.us

“All of our fire department facilities are in desperate need of repair and we have several expensive future needs such as our ladder truck that will need replacement in the near future. This is an opportunity to define and shape the way we deliver fire services to our residents into the future,” Robbins said. “We have a lot of work to do in the next couple months to connect with the community and answer any questions they may have. I want our residents to feel free to email or call me anytime.”

Here is the official wording on the ballot for the millage:

Seen here is the department’s 1992 Pierce fire truck (28-years-old). Robbins said, as an example of future needs, the replacement cost of a platform aerial bucket ladder truck comparable to our current equipment is approximately $930,000.00. This does not include funds that may be needed for equipment to outfit the truck. (Photos courtesy Huron Department of Public Safety)