MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Fire Department is headed into their third year of partnership with Delhi Township to provide fire services to Alaiedon Township.

A movement to continue the agreement was held at the Feb. 2 Township Board meeting and was unanimously approved.

“I think this is very timely. It is right in sync with the opening of our new fire station. I think we should continue to work with Alaiedon township. I know our fire department will provide the same level of excellent service to Alaiedon Township as they provide for Meridian Township,” Trustee Milton Scales said at the meeting.

A 9% budget increase was also approved which will be paid by residents of Alaiedon to cover administrative costs incurred by Meridian Township, but hourly fees and service charges have stayed the same.

“We charge enough to cover our expenses and there’s a little bit of an overhead. It’s not really considered a money maker for us,” Meridian Township Manager Frank Walsh said.

Meridian’s South Fire Station on Okemos Road is located within a half mile of Alaiedon which is why Township officials believe it makes sense for us to partner with them.

“It’s in the best interest of the people who are in that area because we’re the closest fire truck to respond to there by far,” Walsh said.

The Township not only partners with Alaiedon for fire services, but also provides police services to Williamstown Township, recreational services to the city of Williamston, building permits to the City of Mason and shares an assessor with the city of East Lansing.

Walsh said there is very much a regional approach when it comes to these services and that in the end it really benefits all the communities.