GIRARD — City officials are reaching out to Liberty and Weathersfield townships to see if they may be interested in forming a joint fire district.

One key element to such an organization would be agreement on a levy based on property taxes to cover fire district expenses.

Mayor James Melfi said Girard council late last year gave its approval for officials to look into what would be involved in creating a district with the city’s neighboring communities.

Melfi and Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert are expected to reach out to these communities to see if there would be an interest and then inform council at its next meeting 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 of what has been discussed.

“We want to at least see what options are available, if we could have a fire district to serve different communities,” Melfi said.

He said based on geography, Liberty and Weathersfield would be first communities to reach out to, then possibly others such as McDonald.

Melfi said the Cardinal Joint Fire District in Mahoning County has been successful. He said Poland, Hubbard and Newton Falls also have fire districts.

Read more in Monday’s Vindicator.