At the Feb. 5 Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting, Township Manager Bud Carter informed supervisors Citizen’s Fire Company, Vera Cruz, purchased a utility terrain vehicle.

UTVs are typically used for work tasks on farms and construction sites because they have an ability to haul cargo. They are larger and sturdier than all-terrain vehicles that can handle varied terrain and are more versatile.

The fire company purchased this for use with brush/wildfires and rescues. The recent wildfires on Blue Mountain reminded the firefighters these fires could also occur on South Mountain and having a UTV can get to locations that fire trucks cannot.

The UTV was purchased with money from the Fireman’s Relief Fund.

The Auditor General’s Office reports the funding comes from a 2% state tax on fire insurance premiums purchased by Pennsylvania residents from out-of-state insurance companies.

According to Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, “The funding helps more than 1,850 volunteer firefighter relief associations in their day-to-day efforts.” The funds are used for equipment, training and insurance. The relief fund money is provided to the township who then disperses the money to the fire companies.

Chair Supervisor Angela Ashbrook questioned if the purchase of this UTV was presented to the township’s emergency services committee and it was not. Legally, the fire department does not need the board’s approval for the use of these funds. These funds are audited by the state.

However, a debate ensued because Ashbrook explained the township raised the largest tax in the township’s history (the fire tax) to provide support to the fire departments because “there’s never enough money for what you need.”

Ashbrook told the representatives from the fire department there was no discussion with the board of supervisors or the ESC of how this UTV is part of a master plan.

“Then to turn around and go buy this piece of equipment on your own while taxpayers are paying; this is not the greatest way to go about this,” she said.

“Spending $40,000-$50,000 (on the UTV) is a slap in the face to the taxpayer for this purchase. Supervisors found out at the ESC meeting after the fact,” Ashbrook continued.

The UTV cost was $28,000 and $7,500 for a skid unit for a total of $35,500.

In direct contrast to Ashbrook’s remarks, Supervisor Dan Mohr applauded the purchase. “Thank you! We’ve had so many brush fires and railroads fires. We have had many dry years. With wildfires on South Mountain, we need something for people to get in quickly since ambulances and fire trucks cannot fit on the trails. This was long overdue. You should have had it years ago.”

Firefighter Brandon Smith explained that for anything purchased out of relief associations, the fire companies are mandated by law to document how the relief was used to purchase items they need. The fire company board has discussed the purchase of the UTV in its department meetings for the past three years.

Resident Cole Hershinger asked the board of supervisors if the fire tax can be rescinded. Ashbrook noted the fire tax can be adjusted, but not until next year’s budget. Other residents inquired about trailers, tow hitches and brush trucks.

Resident Shelley Zgura commented that she understands the needs of fire companies can be expensive. “I do not mind the fire tax because you do an important job,” she said. “The board and taxpayers are looking for more transparency ... what your needs are because you come to the board looking for money. I view it as a slap in the face because transparency appears to be a problem. Both the board and fire companies need to work on this communication with each other. Everybody needs to grow up and work together,” she told the crowd.

Resident Lauren Haponski agreed with Shelley Zgura.

Firefighters and township residents Brandon Smith and Lucas Andrews questioned if the fire departments have to come before the board for every purchase.

“We submit receipts for the fire tax purchases. We used to receive a lump sum. Now it is something we give the receipts and get reimbursed,” they explained.

Supervisor John Zgura asked that any fire company purchases be reported through the ESC.

“Nobody knows where the money came from for the UTV. They do not know it came from a relief fund. You don’t have to tell us, but we have to answer to the taxpayers. Everybody thinks it came from taxes,” Zgura explained. “We put the fire tax in to help you. I just don’t want people to think it’s being abused,” Zgura added.

Smith explained the fire company uses three separate accounts for purchases which are the general firefighting fund (fire tax), the Fireman’s Relief Fund (requests for equipment are made at one meeting and approved at the next meeting) and fundraising (drawings, hoagies and individual donations).

Mohr explained the fire companies are separate entities. “We subcontract them. As a township we have to provide fire protection and set boundaries for more than one company. They are 501c. We do not have a right to micromanage what they do with their money; the state is responsible to oversee the Fireman’s Relief Fund and we monitor the fire tax fund,” Mohr said.

Zgura reiterated for residents no township tax dollars were used for the purchase of the UTV.

Zgura reminded residents the fire tax is used for large purchases and the fire companies have to come to the board of supervisors with receipts for transparency.