3/6/13 - The Hartland and Tyrone Township boards have both unanimously voted to reject a proposed deal with the county to keep dedicated sheriff patrols in the townships for the next two years. In a press release, Hartland Township clarified that both townships had already rejected the terms of the contract that was approved by the County Board of Commissioners on Monday. The contract would have provided Hartland and Tyrone with a 24-hour road patrol for the next two years with each township paying $153,000 the first year and $160,000 the next year. This is similar to the arrangements that were reached in years past, with the townships paying for the officersâ salaries and the county paying for the vehicle and equipment costs. Although officials on both sides, including Hartland Township Supervisor Bill Fountain, called the deal a âwin-winâ when it was approved by the county Public Safety Committee in February, Hartland and Tyrone rejected the deal unanimously on Tuesday. Tyrone Supervisor Mike Cunningham says 80% of the townshipâs calls for service would be answered by sheriffâs deputies even without a contract, and his township will partner with Hartland to seek alternative law enforcement options. Tyrone Clerk Keith Kremer says under the contract, the townships have been subsidizing improved road patrols for other townships while response times have been worse in Hartland and Tyrone than in communities that pay nothing. Hartland Manager James Wickman added that the county is in the process of reevaluating its road patrol priorities, and ending the contract will simplify that process. (TD)
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