An aging population, shrinking tax base and rising costs are making it harder for municipal governments and emergency services in rural areas to operate.
At Monday’s Hamlin Township meeting, elected officials there and from Mount Jewett brought up a harsh reality — it may be time to think about merging the two municipalities into one.
“We opened up a discussion,” said supervisor Jim Trussell. “I think after a discussion, we’ll form an exploratory committee and figure out what the next step would be.”
It’s worth exploring, said Mount Jewett councilman Chuck Paar.
“This may not be a practical feasibility and it may not make good sense,” he said, but added “if you don’t look at it, you’ll never know. Maybe we ought to at least explore the potential to operate as a single unit.”
The discussion began with Brett Morgan earlier this month, when he suggested to Mount Jewett Borough Council that they should consider merging emergency services with Hamlin Township and Sergeant Township. Paar explained that he had gone to the Hamlin Township meeting Monday not to talk about a possible merger, but instead to ask the township to contribute more money to the fire department.
“The agreement we have in place with Hamlin and Sergeant townships is for $3,000 a year contribution toward fire protection help from Mount Jewett,” Paar said. He clarified that he was not there on behalf of the fire department, but was asking on behalf of borough council.
“Last year, Mount Jewett Fire Department answered 115 calls,” he said. “Sixty-eight percent were outside the borough. That number has been running fairly consistent.”
He went to the Hamlin Township meeting to ask for more money. The conversation turned toward consolidation, he explained.
Trussell said Paar, who reiterated that he was speaking as a citizen and not on behalf of the borough, “talked about reducing Mount Jewett from a borough into a village and consolidate it with Hamlin Township.”
On Tuesday, Paar explained, “I don’t think a lot of people realize we are totally surrounded by Hamlin Township.” The population of the borough is about 900, while the township’s population is about 600.
“Can we do better by merging our human resources? Our equipment? Our funding?” Paar asked. “How can we provide the protection people need? Is it time to look at, number one, can it be done? Number two, what’s it take to get it done? And three, would it benefit everyone?”
He added, “If not, fine, at least we’ve done the research and know if it’s good or not.”
His personal opinion, he said, is that it’s time to put the option on the table.
“We need to look at a greater consolidation between the borough and the township,” Paar said. “None of this happens quickly. For there to be consolidation, there are so many questions to be answered. You’d better have all your ducks in a row before it goes up for a referendum vote,” he added.
Paar mentioned that members of the Hamlin Township fire department were at Monday’s meeting, and were totally against any merger. He understands, he said. But at the same time, he said he believes it is time to “set aside the emotion and the territorial pride and say ‘can we do this better collectively?’ That’s all for discussion. Let’s at least talk about it.”
Trussell mentioned the aging population, and the lack of volunteers for the fire departments.
“I think consolidation will have to happen sooner or later,” he said.
He said that within the next few months, the municipal governments will discuss forming a committee to consider consolidation.
