Local insurers aid Cumberland Trail Fire District levy campaign

ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Local insurers have thrown their support behind an initiative from the Cumberland Trail Fire District to pass a replacement levy in the upcoming primary election, as part of the plan to renovate the main firehouse.

On Monday, the Independent Agents Association of Belmont County donated $2,500 to promote and campaign for the levy, which will appear on the May 2 primary ballot. This donation will go toward campaigning for the levy.

Scott Carnes of Carnes Insurance Agency in Bridgeport, part of the Independent Agents Association of Belmont County, said improvements to the fire district could positively impact the area's Insurance Services Office rating, possibly lowering the "protection class" from a 4 to a 3.

"We try to do things for the community for a good cause, and this certainly is a good cause, a tremendous cause for Belmont County, especially Richland Township. With the money they're going to raise to expand this station and make the improvements, it'll actually benefit the folks in Richland Township on their homeowners' insurance because it could potentially change their ratings.

"The lower the number, the better the response time, the better the coverage for the fire district or fire department in that area, that municipality," Carnes said.

Paul Foster of Foster Insurance Agency in St. Clairsville agreed.

"I think it's great. Anytime we can help out with any of the first responders, or any of the community," he said. "We all take that very seriously and really hope this can be a help for the community."

Cumberland Trail Fire Chief Tim Hall said the support was welcome.

"It's been very humbling, the support we've received from these individuals and groups, with the monetary donation we received, we'll be using it for signage and brochures to educate the residents of Richland Township and St. Clairsville and utilizing that for the expenses of the levy committee itself," he said.

Hall said the district has already sent out some mailers and placed signs around the fire district.

"We've been trying to canvas at least one day a week to try to get out and speak to the voters of the fire district and express the benefits of the levy and what this will bring to the fire district, and more importantly how it will improve the services that we offer to the residents," he said, adding the public response has been largely positive.

He said the current 5-mill levy would be increased to 6 mills, for remodeling and expansion of the firehouse, debt payments for the building improvements, and improving staff retention and hopefully attracting staff in the future.

"It will allow for the expansion of the resources the fire district needs to continue to offer the services that the residents have been accustomed to, while also allowing for separate sleeping quarters for all of our employees, multiple restrooms that are ADA-compliant," Hall said.

Other possible additions include a three-story training tower.

He said according to engineering estimates, the cost of improvements would be about $3.7 million.

Hall said the district had started working toward renovation since gaining ownership of the firehouse at 142 S. Marietta St. in December of 2021. The district had hoped ownership of the building would make it easier to obtain grant funding.

Hall said they have sought out grants, leaving "no stone unturned."

"The last choice was to go to the residents and ask their support. We preferred grand funding, but unfortunately it was unattainable and unsuccessful."

He said the cost of the levy on a $300,000 home would be about 26 cents daily. This will be on this year's values, before reappraisals go into effect next year.

"This levy will be based on the current values, not the new values, which is very important to us."

Hall said the current levy brings in a little more than $2.9 million and the replacement levy would generate a total of $3.4 million.