Maxwell VFD moves to create emergency district

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Members of the Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department approached the Caldwell County Commissioners’ Court on Monday morning with a proposed boundary change that serves as the organization’s first steps toward establishing an Emergency Service District.

Presently, the all-volunteer organization services areas in Caldwe

ll County that fall under the extraterritorial jurisdiction of San Marcos, Lockhart and Martindale. However, for a variety of reasons, those municipalities do not presently provide fire service to those areas.

The map presented to the Court on Monday has been negotiated with the Martindale Volunteer Fire Department, according to Maxwell VFD representative Ronnie Deusterheft. Should the boundaries be changed, Maxwell VFD will be responsible for the entire Turner Crest Ranch development project, while Martindale VFD will accept responsibility for certain portions of Reedville and Tower Road.

Deusterheft suggested the preparations are under way to create an Emergency Service District, which will allow for the collection of taxes to support emergency services. The development of Emergency Service Districts is gaining popularity in Caldwell County as both volunteerism and donations to the county’s rural fire departments deteriorate. Presently, only two professional firefighting organizations, the Lockhart Fire Department and the Luling Fire Department, exist in Caldwell County, while the rural areas are supported strictly by volunteers and donations.

Duesterheft said the Maxwell VFD hopes to hold an election asking voters to create the emergency service district as soon as May 2009.

In brief news:
Despite forecasts of rain, the Commissioners opted to leave an outdoor burning ban in place. County residents are reminded that unauthorized outdoor burning while the county is under a burn ban can be considered a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Additionally, Deusterheft and others asked county residents to be aware of muddy conditions, should the burn ban be lifted. Some departments have troubles with getting trucks stuck in the black gumbo mud while fighting grass fires after heavy rains.

The Commissioners announced the hiring of an Environmental Control Officer, who will work under a recent Capitol Area Council of Governments Solid Waste Grant. The officer will be responsible for collection of trash on the roadsides and in the creekbeds in Caldwell County.

They county paid bills in the amount of $69,234.34, which includes $12,378.67 in indigent legal defense.
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