Tower City Council looks to increase tax rate for fire protection

By Joan Schwer, Correspondent

TOWER CITY – Councilman and volunteer fireman Marcus Riddell informed council April 11 that a fire company representative wants to come to monthly meeting to give an oral report. He followed that request with a somber report of the financial condition of the fire company.
According to Riddell, the company’s equipment is getting old, and a new fire truck would cost between $250,000 and $350,000. Along with a new truck, the building would need to be modified at an estimated cost of $10,000. The most urgent need, however, is ten new air-packs at an estimated purchase price of $85,000.
“The volunteers spend countless hours at fires and fund raising,” said Riddell. “They train weekly. The company is a family.”