With the help of Representative Karl Oliver, the Lodi-Minerva Volunteer Fire Department is steps closer to reality. Members of the community have worked tirelessly to raise funds to build the fire department over the past couple of years.
Monday, Supervisor Willie Earl Townsend posted a letter to the Board of Directors for the Lodi-Minerva Volunteer Fire Department from Representative Karl Oliver congratulating them on receiving $100,000 from the legislature to be used to build the new facility.
The fire department will be located at the corner of Lodi Road and Minerva Road and Henry Townsend, Jr., President of the Lodi-Minerva Board of Directors said it will serve the needs of the community.
Oliver’s letter read: “Prior to the 2019 Legislative Session convening, District 3 Supervisor Willie Earl Townsend Jr. and myself began working on and laying out a plan to see the construction and completion of the Lodi-Minerva VFD through. In an effort to meet the needs of this rural section of Montgomery County’s citizens and provide them with adequate protection, we made this a priority.” In his letter, Oliver thanked Townsend for his work in acquiring the funding.
Supervisor Townsend said he and Oliver had been working for months to secure funding for the volunteer fire department, but it hadn’t worked out until now.
“It was just the right time,” Supervisor Townsend said. He said the group is also working to secure grants to help with funding but they’re still in the works.
Henry Townsend said the next step is finding a contractor for the project.
“We’ve already received bids and designs before, but we have to do back to see if they’re still relevant and see how much it will cost us to build the department,” Henry Townsend said.
Henry Townsend said right now they’re not sure how much it will cost in all and they’re still seeking funding and input from the community. He thanked Supervisor Townsend for all of his help in securing the money and said Supervisor Townsend will be instrumental in helping with the department.
Supervisor Townsend is a firefighter and works for the Grenada Fire Department. Henry Townsend said they’ll rely on the supervisor’s knowledge of how the fire department should be ran.
“He’s been very instrumental in all of this and we thank for him for all he’s done,” Henry Townsend said.
Henry Townsend said the group is still planning to hold fundraisers to help with funding but the $100,000 will begin the process.
