HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022-05-16_MR_Fire Services Agreement_FINAL
MUNICIPALITY OF CHESTER – A new 20-year term partnership was formalized between the
Village of Chester Commission and the Municipality of the District of Chester (MOC) for the
provision of fire services. This partnership sets the stage for future collaborations between the
two organizations and is based on mutual principles of fairness, cooperation, and trust.
Under this agreement, MOC has secured fire services for residents living in areas surrounding the
Village of Chester, who live within the regular service area of the Chester Volunteer Fire
Department. Through this agreement with the Village of Chester Commission, the Chester
Volunteer Fire Department will continue to serve these residents for the next 20 years, providing
long-term sustainability.
The agreement was approved by the Commission at their meeting Wednesday, and Council for
MOC approved the agreement at their meeting on Thursday. Both MOC and the Commission will
appoint three members each to a new committee that will provide oversight and
recommendations on budget and policy. Under the new arrangement, MOC will share in
ownership of the assets, which their residents have contributed to in the past.
“The Chester Volunteer Fire Department provides excellent service to the residents they serve.
This partnership ensures these residents will have a voice in the delivery of the service and will
also provide long-term financial stability”, said Warden Webber. “It was our mutual goal that the
agreement reflected the mutual respect and trust between both parties as well as the recognition
of the financial contributions of both the Village and the Municipality. I feel like we achieved
that.”
Nancy Hatch, Chair of the Village of Chester Commission, was pleased that a long -term
agreement was reached that will help shape the relationship in the years to come. “The Village
Commission felt it was important to strengthen the relationship between the Village Commission
and Municipal Council. The Chester Volunteer Fire Department provides a first -rate fire
protection service. We have heard from its members that an agreement that better reflected a
partnership and provided longer term financial sustainability is needed. We are happy that an
agreement was reached and look forward to jointly providing governance of the service.”
The agreement is effective upon signing and selection of Committee members will take p lace in
the coming weeks.
MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: May 16, 2022
SUBJECT: Long-term Fire Services Agreement Struck
STATUS: PUBLIC –FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2 Media Release/Fire Services Agreement
CONTACT INFORMATION
Our spokespersons are:
Allen Webber, Warden Nancy Hatch, Chair
Municipality of Chester Village of Chester Commission
Desk 902-275-4145 902-275-3314
Cell 902-275-8373 Nancy.Hatch@villageofchesterns.ca
awebber@chester.ca