CHIPPEWA COUNTY — The future of Kinross Charter Township’s fire department facilities is uncertain after voters rejected a proposal to fund a new fire hall.
The 3.1 mill proposal was turned down by a vote of 242-180, marking the second failed attempt to secure funding for the project. Last November, a similar proposal was defeated by a margin of 758-614.
“I wish more people would take more interest in what’s going on in the township,” said Mark Rice, Kinross Township Supervisor. “I don’t want to make those decisions by myself. I want to know what the public wants. I get a lot of negative on what the public wants but I don’t get solutions.”
The current fire hall is situated next to the general aviation terminal at Chippewa County International Airport. However, the fire department must vacate the premises by November as the airport plans to repurpose the building for its firefighting training center and to house a new fire truck specifically for airport use.
Kinross Charter Township has 2,780 registered voters, but only 15% participated in the recent election, a turnout that has frustrated township officials.
A special board meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 PM to discuss the future of the fire department. Supervisor Rice encourages residents to attend and provide their input on the matter.
With the rejection of the millage proposal, Kinross Charter Township faces the challenge of finding a new location for its fire department before the November deadline.