mgreier@salemnews.net
PERRY TWP. Perry Township volunteer firefighters will start receiving a per-call stipend every six months starting next year.
Both trustees and fire officials worked on the plan in hopes the twice-a-year payment will serve as an incentive to attract more volunteers and to have more people respond to calls.
“We decided it would be better to offer a stipend to offset their costs,” Trustee Chair Steve Bailey said.
The trustees approved the call stipend plan at their meeting Monday, also approving the new list of officers for the volunteer fire department, with Brandon Smith selected by the fire association as the new chief starting Jan 1.