MADISON TOWNSHIP — Madison Township Trustees acted on one fire department request and delayed a decision on another at Monday night’s meeting.

Trustees approved the annual Emergency Medical Services contract with Monroe Township.

Fire chief Ken Justus asked trustees to approve the annual agreement for $54,000, with quarterly payments of $13,500.

“We’re essentially continuing the arrangement we’ve had for I don’t know how many years,” Justus said.

He noted Madison Township crews assist Monroe when the department has no one available to transport patients.

During public comment, one resident questioned the cost. Justus explained the contract increased by $2,000 last year but is not rising again this year.

“They are in the same situation we are in with limited funding,” Justus said. “And we still get billing money out of those people we take to the hospital. They also have been handling more and more of their own costs.”

Justus added Madison crews are being sent to Monroe less frequently.

“A lot of times we are dispatched, but by the time we’re headed that way, it gets canceled,” he said.

Fill the Ambulance food and coat drive announced

Justus also noted the fire department’s annual Fill the Ambulance campaign will begin next month.

They will be located in the front of the parking lot of the Kroger on Ashland Road on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

New clothing items and gifts for children will be collected on Dec. 7, and food items will be collected on Dec. 14.

If anyone is not able to drop items off during those days and times, the fire stations will be taking any of the donations between Nov. 21 and Dec. 20.

“We are trying to get everything there a week ahead — that way the agencies have time to get stuff distributed to the families,” Justus said.

Stryker Heart Monitor/AED purchase postponed

At the Nov. 3 meeting, trustees opted to postpone action on a Justus proposal of funding for several upgrades, including replacement of aging heart monitors and AEDs.

“I think they are excellent ideas,” Trustee Dan Fletcher said. “But I just don’t know if right now is the right time. I would feel better in two weeks, after the election.”

Now that voters have approved the township’s fire levy, Madison Township trustees revisited the Stryker Heart Monitor/AED purchase proposal.

The proposed equipment package, designed to update emergency response capabilities, comes to a total cost of $161,009 after trade-ins, with the additional maintenance plan and shipping costs bringing the total to $222,328.

After discussion, the board decided to postpone the decision until Justus and Fiscal Officer Leanna Rhodes can sit down and discuss the finances.

“I don’t want to bring it to a vote if we are going to look at finances first,” Fletcher said. “It is mutually agreed that we will discuss this at a future meeting.”