The Windham Community Fire Department, also known as Department 28, announced its intentions to dissolve in a letter sent Tuesday to the township supervisors.
    The company will no longer be providing fire protection services as of May 13, according to the letter sent by Athens attorney Maureen Beirne.
    Beirne has been retained by the WCFD for the purpose of dissolving the corporation.
    There are several reasons behind the dissolution of the department, according to Beirne.
    Among those reasons are:
    • The township’s breach of its agreement with the department in rescinding the ordinance that provided for the Windham Community Fire Department to serve as the municipality’s sole fire department. This ordinance was adopted in 2003.
    • The failure of the township to provide funds in a separate account for the fire department.
    • The supervisors’ failure to meet with the fire department and its solicitor.
    • The township’s threat to oust the fire department as of May 5, 2008 in the event that the department does not provide credentials.
    “In regards to the township’s request for credentials, it is documented that said credentials were provided to the township at the outset of the contract,” Beirne stated in the letter. “The contract does not provide any continuing obligation to provide credentials to the township. Further, such information was provided to the insurance company when required.
    “However, it has been the fire company’s pleasure to serve the Windham community,” Beirne continued. “The Windham Community Fire Department, Inc. appreciates the township allowing them to be of service in the past.”
    It is expected that the Windham Community Fire Department will complete its dissolution within the next two months, said Beirne, but she reiterated that the company will no longer be in service as of May 13.
    The department currently has 16 active members.
    The Windham Community Fire Department was created in 2003 when the township’s original fire company, the Windham Township Volunteer Fire Company, known as Department 19, moved out of the Windham Township Community Hall and took all of the company’s equipment with it.
    That move was, at the time, the latest battle in the ongoing feud between the township supervisors and Department 19.
    Department 19 has continued to be in existence since the 2003 flap, as it currently serves as a mutual aid fire department. Since the 2003 ordinance was enacted that department has been prohibited from responding to any emergency situation that may occur within the township’s boundaries.
———
        Warren Howeler can be reached at whoweler@morning-times.com.