Township considers fire contract with Swanton

SWANTON TOWNSHIP – Swanton Township is looking at contracting with the Village of Swanton for fire service in 2027 and 2028, following months of discussions with area fire chiefs, Trustee Matt Beil reported during the Sept. 8 meeting.

Currently, Springfield Township and Whitehouse provide fire and EMS service, splitting the township into northern and southern halves. With Whitehouse’s contract set to expire on Dec. 31, coming up with a plan soon is imperative, Beil said. Trustees set a special meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 22 to address the proposal from Swanton Fire Chief Cuyler Kepling.

“We have a proposed contract draft with the Village of Swanton, which would subcontract with the Village of Whitehouse to service the township. On top of that, we met with Springfield and Swanton to discuss if Springfield could play a part in the eastern part of the township. That’s ongoing,” Beil said.

Whitehouse Fire Chief Jason Francis said that he’s had brainstorm sessions with Kepling, but nothing is has been confirmed. Francis plans to address the topic during an October Whitehouse Council Committee of the Whole meeting. Currently, Whitehouse services the southern portion of the township, while Springfield Township covers the northern half.

Kepling and Springfield Township Fire Chief Jonathon Ziehr were in the audience during the Sept. 8 meeting, where the trustees agreed that the primary concern with any arrangement is to ensure the best possible response time for all residents and businesses. Ziehr acknowledged that response times on the westernmost areas of the township were not ideal.

“We see Swanton Fire as we pass. We absolutely want them to come on board for at least that side of the township. We would be happy to keep the eastern side,” he said, explaining that his department not only responds to emergencies but provides full fire inspections for 45 of the 60 businesses in the township, including the airport. The turnpike and airport are busy areas, he said, recommending that trustees split up the township coverage and assign it to the closest fire department.

Kepling created a proposed map of how to divide the township between Whitehouse and Swanton, but said Springfield Township may still be part of the equation, in order to keep response times low. The response time clock starts as soon as a tone comes in from the 911 dispatch center downtown. It takes about 45 seconds for personnel to gear up and leave the station.

“The goal is always seven minutes or less,” he told the Anthony Wayne Free Press a few days later, pulling up the map on his office computer. “In a township, that’s not always easy to achieve.”

No matter who provides the coverage, it will cost more, as rising costs are impacting every department’s bottom line. Operational readiness is a term to describe the cost to have the trained staff and equipment ready to respond at a moment’s notice, whether the department receives one call a day or dozens. Considering all the costs to operate a department, the average cost per call is about $1,600 for Springfield and $1,425 for Swanton. EMS runs are typically less costly than a fire call, which can run $20,000 per incident, with multiple vehicles and personnel on site, Ziehr said. 

The initial proposal by Kepling shows a first-year cost of $200,000 and an increase to $230,000 the second year. Services from Whitehouse or Springfield Township are not included in that proposal. Beil said the current levy brings in $187,000 for fire and EMS currently, and with some reserves, the township may be able to get by with the new contract for the first year and a half, but putting a levy on the ballot in the future seems likely.

Swanton Village previously covered the township from the 1960s or 1970s through 2015, Kepling said. The township looked at creating its own department a few years ago, but found that the cost would be a minimum of $1.3 million for a facility, equipment and three people on duty at all times.

Swanton Fire always has five people on duty, all cross-trained in fire and EMS, with about half of the personnel certified paramedics. So far this year, the department has responded to 958 calls for service. Kepling said adding Swanton Township would not require hiring additional personnel.

“We’ve got operational plans in place if we secure the contract,” he said.

All entities involved will still need to work through their respective elected councils or trustees, as well as legal counsel. Once an agreement is solidified, the county’s 911 center will need to update its maps as well.

“We don’t want to rush, but this is time sensitive as we’re getting near budget season,” Kepling added.

Trustees agreed to meet on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. to go over proposals. 

During the meeting, the township also:

-Learned that 34 people filled two 30-yard dumpsters during a recent unlimited drop off. Trustees will look at doing this twice a year as a service to residents.

–Approved $252 for signs that will be posted on sites of proposed zoning changes. These are generic signs with details on how to access more information on the specific change being considered.

-Agreed to include Cutshall Ditch in the Swan Creek Watershed, following a review by the Lucas County Engineer. The Lucas County Commissioners will need to approve the change as well.

-Heard that the Metroparks have created pull-off gravel areas along Girdham Road: one by the cemetery and one near the Wabash Cannonball Trail. Beil asked about signage to advise motorists to use the lots rather than pulling off the side and wearing away the edge of the roadway.

-Heard Zoning Inspector Ben Mooney say that Interstate Capital representatives met with him regarding the proposed rezoning of parcels across from the airport. This is for dry storage, cold storage and trucking, not a data center. The Lucas County Plan Commission is expected to review and recommend the change during its Wednesday, Sept. 23 meeting, which will be held at 9 a.m. at 1 Government Center in downtown Toledo. Any site plan would need to be reviewed by the township and county.

-Discussed a request by Ken Martin at the Greens at Oak Openings to place a six-foot-tall fence around a septic system. Code requires a four-foot fence, but an Ohio EPA representative recommends the taller fence for safety as the business will attract families with children. 

-Agreed to discuss zoning fees at the end of the special Sept. 22 meeting.

-Heard Mooney said he was asked by a potential buyer about tearing down the old Haven Lounge and erecting a pole barn for a drive-thru carryout. Metal buildings are not permitted in the overlay district and a variance would need to be granted.

-Agreed with Mooney’s assessment that he may need outside help in updating the zoning resolution, but that a grant may be necessary to cover the cost. Mooney will seek quotes for that and a land use plan update, and seek out grant information from area agencies like Lake Erie West Regional Council.

-Agreed to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission funding for resurfacing Reed Road between Girdham and Monclova.

-Learned that speed studies are still ongoing for Reed Road. Resident Dale Schaechterle has asked that the speed limit on both Reed and Girdham be lowered and for any speed study to consider the number of bikers, walkers, runners and horses that also utilize the 55 mph roadway.

Schaechterle said he’s seen too many near misses in the area, and noted that Girdham Road Sand Dunes were named a state nature preserve in 2025. Both Reed and Girdham are township-maintained roads, so the process of reviewing or changing the speed limits starts with the trustees submitting a request to the state, said Lucas County Engineer spokesman Mike Tatar. Ohio Department of Transportation has the final say in whether modifications are made, based on the study’s findings.

-Heard Fiscal Officer Mindy Curry say that she obtained quotes from several banking institutions interested in becoming the township’s depository. Farmers and Merchants has the lowest rates and the highest interest earnings, and this will save the township money. Trustees agreed to switch from 5/3 Bank to Farmers and Merchants.

-Heard Beil say that he got a call from a resident asking about Flock cameras. The township does not have any.