PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FIRE EQUIPMENT TALKS … Springfield Township Trustees Eric Creighton (left) and Steve Planson (right) discuss fire equipment purchases with the Springfield Township Fire Department at its meeting on Wednesday, May 6.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Springfield Township Trustees met in a regular session on Wednesday, May 6 at the Township Office. Trustees in attendance were Ed Ruffer, Eric Creighton and Steve Planson.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Trustees then approved the meeting minutes from the April 22, 2026, meeting and the payment of bills.
Fiscal Officer Patti Rosebrock told the trustees the audit is completed by the State Auditor’s Office. She added that the township will be getting a report back soon.
Trustees then approved the blanket certificate in the amount of $5,000 to cover the state audit fees.
Springfield Township Fire Chief Tad Shindledecker addressed the trustees regarding the purchase of a new ventilator fan for the fire department.
He said the battery-operated ventilator fan, which is used by the department, is to force smoke, heat and toxic gases out of structures, improving visibility and increasing victim/firefighter survival.
The ventilator fan, which will be purchased from Howell Rescue Systems of Dayton, would cost $4,940 to the township. Trustees then made a motion to approve the purchase by a 3-0 vote.
Springfield Township Firefighter Bob Sperling told the trustees it has already been a good year so far as obtaining grants for the fire department.
He said the department has received under $75,000 in grant funding. Among them: $17,000 for the MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System); $14,000 for miscellaneous equipment that was actually itemized in the grant application; $42,165 for some other fire gear and equipment; and $1,400 as a reimbursement for training last year.
“The only thing that’s got a catch to it, is the MARCS radio grant; they only allow a maximum amount per radio, and you can’t buy a radio for their maximum amount. You have to pay the balance out of pocket,” said Sperling.
The new radios, which will be ordered from J & K Communications of Columbia City, Indiana, will cost $18,430 pending MARCS grant approval. The township will end up paying $2,662 in out-of-pocket balance cost as part of the grant application policy.
Sperling is trying to find some funding maybe to reduce the cost of purchasing a hydraulic tool for the fire department.
“I want to explore that,” he said. “We’ve successfully gotten money donations from the Bryan Eagles a number of times through the years and the Montpelier Eagles since we respond to mutual aid over in Montpelier open to occasionally donating money towards us. We’re going to look at those avenues and see if they’re willing to contribute to anything that will help with the cost of that.”
Todd Burkholder, who serves as zoning inspector for Center and Pulaski Townships, gave a presentation about online zoning maps.
Burkholder told the trustees that this alternative would cost $1,000 for a one-time fee for three townships, so each township will be paying $333 for the one-time fee.
It would also cost $30 per month for technical support, updates and data center hosting. He said the program will feature every zoned parcel within Springfield Township.
Planson made the motion to approve the online zoning maps with Ruffer seconding the motion. It was approved by a 3-0 vote.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
