The plan to replace the Gilbertsville firehouse with an Emergency Services Building is moving forward. "It's going to happen," Douglass Township Supervisor Joshua Stouch said after Monday's public meeting.

            During the meeting, the members directed Manager Pete Hiryak to schedule a meeting with leadership of the Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue to discuss the next steps in the process to build a new facility for the fire company and the Douglass Township Police Department.

            They also allowed Solicitor Bob Brant to begin crafting the language of a draft fire tax. Stouch proposed the addition of 0.1 or 0.2 mills dedicated to funding the township's firefighters. He described it as the cost of providing round the clock police and fire coverage in the municipality. Brant said most neighboring communities implement a one mill tax to fund fire service.

            According to the supervisors chairman, a millage increase of 0.1 mills would generate an additional $15 of revenue for every $150,000 of assessed home value. Every property in the township would face this additional tax rate if it's approved, according to the manager.

            Stouch said the board supports the proposal,. Vice President Tom Wynne told the audience that municipal officials have been meeting with a potential contractor for seven months.

            After the meeting, Stouch cited a lack of objection from the supervisors as a sign of their approval. The only resident to comment on the issue spoke   in favor of the proposal. He asked the board to present the fire department's annual operating budget to the community.

            In an email message to the board, Brant highlighted a number of issues which need to be analyzed and settled, assuming the board wants to move forward with a plan to construct a new facility at 1454 E. Philadelphia Ave. They include approving a design/building agreement, determining the cost of the project, the potential transferring of the real estate from the township to the fire company, determining the financial status of the fire company, finalizing the details of the fire tax and creating a lease agreement for the police department.

            "What I'm suggesting may not necessarily be the way you should go," the solicitor said. "But you've got to analyze every aspect before decisions are made."

            Municipal residents who had voted previously inside the firehouse's banquet hall will have a new place to vote. Residents of Districts 3 and 4 will cast their ballots during the April 28 primary and the Nov. 3 general elections at the Tri-County Bible Church, located at 142 Buchert Road. Church leaders signed the contract with the Montgomery County election officials on Feb. 20, according to the manager.

            Stouch maintains the layout of the utilized space should streamline the voting process.

Hiryak said he was very impressed with the access to the voting room and the space itself. After the meeting, the manager said he believed residents had only voted at the firehouse since it opened it 1974.

            Prior to the meeting, the members discussed personnel and real estate issues during an executive session. Stouch said no decisions were made.