With more than 40 people in attendance, including township residents, Hillsboro firefighters, neighboring township trustees - but no representatives from the city of Hillsboro - the Liberty Township Trustees voted 2-1 in a special session Friday to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District beginning Oct. 1, 2012.

    The trustees heard comments for nearly an hour from citizens asking that the trustees go back to the city of Hillsboro one more time, or wait a few more days to see if a contract for EMS and fire services can be worked out between Hillsboro and the townships.

The sixth annual Legislative Forum & Luncheon, sponsored by AT&T – Ohio and the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, will be Friday, July 20, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Southern State Community College, Central Campus Atrium in Hillsboro.

Some major decisions regarding the future of EMS and fire protections services are pending within the coming week for some city and township officials.

    During the annual firefighter's parade held during the 2012 Festival of the Bells Thursday, current and former Hillsboro firefighters - along with their colleagues in neighboring counties - took an opportunity to remind area residents that they still have time to weigh-in before a final decision is made.

Some major decisions regarding the future of EMS and fire protections services are pending within the coming week for some city and township officials.

    During the annual firefighter's parade held during the 2012 Festival of the Bells Thursday, current and former Hillsboro firefighters - along with their colleagues in neighboring counties - took an opportunity to remind area residents that they still have time to weigh-in before a final decision is made.

A heat index hovering in the area of 100 degrees did not diminish the crowds that lined the streets of Hillsboro Thursday evening for the 2012 Festival of the Bells parade.
    Former Hillsboro Fire Chief Jerry Powell was the parade grand marshall, and road in a Hillsboro Fire and Rescue truck driven by interim Chief Jeff Martin.
 
  Miss Ohio Audrey Bolte, second runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant, joined the festival committee for the opening ceremonies, and said that she was glad to be able to be a part of the event the event she had often attended as a child.

A heat index hovering in the area of 100 degrees did not diminish the crowds that lined the streets of Hillsboro Thursday evening for the 2012 Festival of the Bells parade.
    Former Hillsboro Fire Chief Jerry Powell was the parade grand marshall, and road in a Hillsboro Fire and Rescue truck driven by interim Chief Jeff Martin.
 
  Miss Ohio Audrey Bolte, second runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant, joined the festival committee for the opening ceremonies, and said that she was glad to be able to be a part of the event the event she had often attended as a child.

Festival of the Bells committee member Michael Bradford invites the community to the 2012 festival auction, set for 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the Fifth Third Bank stage in the center of Hillsboro. Artwork by Stacia Burke that features the former Hillsboro Town Hall building, which was in city service from 1875-1949 and was located on South High Street at the West Walnut Street intersection, will be on this year's painting and pencil drawing.

The New Market Township Trustees voted 2-1 Tuesday night to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District, despite several Hillsboro firefighters and neighboring township trustees asking them to hold their vote for two more weeks.

    The resolution was read by fiscal officer Dick Barrera, and trustees Lowell Sullivan and Kenny Harless voted to join the district, effective Oct. 1. Trustee Tom Juillerat voted against joining, saying that he would be willing to wait to see if Hillsboro had an offer that could potentially save the township residents money.

At the request of the city's labor attorney, Hillsboro Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2972 has come up with a "concessions package," which proposes a $100,000 cut in salaries and benefits to Hillsboro Fire and Rescue staff members. However, in order for the firefighters to make those concessions, they say the city would have to work out agreements with local townships, and maintain the fire department.

    Ryan Passet, the secretary/treasurer of IAFF Local 2972, told The Highland County Press said that throughout the negotiation process with the city and the townships, the firefighters wanted to be a part of the process in finding a solutions for providing the emergency services to city and township residents.

The Emergency Operation Center is open (limited staff), and staff members are looking at the power outages and water shortages.