Hellertown Borough’s Allegiance to Dewey Fire Co. May End

A tense discussion took place at Monday Night’s Hellertown Borough Council meeting as council members approved a motion to authorize the borough solicitor to begin drafting a service agreement, a lease agreement and a draft ordinance that would formally name Lower Saucon Fire Rescue as the officially recognized fire company for the Borough of Hellertown. If approved, it would mean an end to the borough’s allegiance to Dewey Fire Company, which has been in existence and served the community since 1898.

Council members repeatedly emphasized that Monday’s decision represents the opening of a multi-month negotiation that will involve additional public input. There was no official action taken to change fire protection services at Monday’s meeting.

Fire Service Discussion Heats Up

The centerpiece of Monday’s meeting was council’s move to formally begin the paperwork for a potential change in how fire protection is provided in the Borough of Hellertown.

Because the agenda item generated public discussion earlier in the meeting during courtesies of the floor, Council President Lynley Solt read the borough’s prepared statement into the record before the vote:

“Hellertown Borough is currently negotiating an agreement with Lower Saucon Fire Rescue to expand the fire protection services within the borough,” Solt said. “Lower Saucon Fire Rescue already provides mutual aid and support to the borough and Saucon Valley corridor along Route 78. The borough is proceeding with negotiations following careful evaluation of Hellertown’s long-term public safety needs in light of current operational challenges facing Dewey Fire Company.”

Solt continued: “Like many volunteer fire companies, Dewey Fire Company has experienced declining volunteer participation and has struggled to maintain continuity in leadership roles. Despite efforts such as the stipend program and citizen outreach, participation has not grown adequately to provide the level of coverage needed.”

She closed the statement by emphasizing the borough’s obligation to residents while acknowledging Dewey’s history in the community.

“The borough’s priority is to ensure reliable and uninterrupted fire protection for our residents and businesses. And we are committed to working collaboratively with both the Dewey Fire Company and Lower Saucon Fire Rescue to provide continuous fire rescue services while still honoring Dewey Fire Company’s more than 100 years of dedicated service to the Hellertown community.”

She noted that council will be discussing this issue more in-depth at both of its September meetings and that citizen attendance and participation are encouraged at those meetings, which will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.

The Public Pushback

The formal statement was prompted in part by a citizen comment earlier in the meeting from David Boulin, a Lower Saucon Township resident who said he regularly attends township council meetings and had come to Hellertown after seeing the agenda item circulating on Facebook.

Boulin raised concerns, including the absence of a published agreement for public review and the financial condition of Dewey Fire Company. 

“In terms of fire service, from what I understand, Lower Saucon has been providing that fire service or roughly 90 percent, as best I can glean in the few hours I had before I was due here to talk about this,” Boulin told council. “And are we getting paid back for that, meaning Lower Saucon taxpayers?”

Boulin also questioned whether Lower Saucon Township government officials were fully in the loop.

Solt said the borough held a large joint meeting “several months ago” that included Hellertown Borough officials, Dewey Fire Company representatives, Lower Saucon Fire Rescue representatives and the township’s solicitor, manager and two councilpersons.

She said the meeting had “15 people, 20 people in it,” and that the direction coming out of that meeting was for the borough to proceed with direct negotiations with LSFR. Solt added that the borough also held a subsequent preliminary meeting with LSFR, and that the draft framework of the proposal had been shared with the township.

Council Chimes In

Councilman Larry O’Donnell then put context around what the approved agenda item legally does–and does not do.

“I think it’s important for people to remember that the Dewey Fire Company is a separate nonprofit and not directly controlled by the borough,” he said. “We contract for professional services with Dewey Fire as we do with other nonprofits.”

O’Donnell added: “This is definitely a complex issue. Volunteer everything is reaching critical points in a lot of sectors, and fire departments are definitely getting hit very hard… This is probably the first part of a large change in how fire services are rendered throughout the state.”

O’Donnell also directly addressed the concern raised on Facebook that ambulance services would change. “This is not going to affect EMS services that are currently provided by Dewey,” he said. “This is part of really just the beginning of an exploration. We’re not authorizing any changes. We’re not authorizing any cost outlays or anything like that. It’s just kind of the beginning of a negotiation process.”

What Happens Next

Council repeatedly pointed to the September meetings as the venue for more detailed public discussion.

Solt noted that follow-up meetings with Lower Saucon officials are also scheduled. The borough’s next council meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 8, since its Aug. 17 meeting was canceled.

Hellertown Borough Council meetings are also livestreamed, with recordings available on the borough’s YouTube channel. Click here to watch a recording of the Aug. 3 meeting.

More information about Dewey Fire Company–whose motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”–may be found on the company’s website and Facebook page.