By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

NEWTOWN - Six days after the village fire department was merged into a larger joint fire district, emotions on both sides of the controversial issue remain high.

"I'm not against the concept. I am against what just transpired," Newtown Mayor John Hammon said. "It was not apples and apples."

Council voted late last year to dissolve the village fire operation and join the fire district that also serves Fairfax and part of Columbia Township. That district is now known as Little Miami Joint Fire and Rescue Department.

The district took over fire protection in the village Saturday.

"I don't think it's good for the village," Hammon said. "We never gave our fire department a chance."

But some council members think the merger will bring staffing stability and more professional service to Newtown. The merger was discussed for about two months.

"All of the benefits we gain are the village's," Councilman Ken Pulskamp said. "Our communities blend so well. Newtown still has a fire department in the village."

The district has guaranteed it will maintain qualified staffing in the Newtown firehouse 24 hours a day and has already placed an upgraded engine in Newtown's Church Street station, Puls-kamp said.

The staffing stability appeals to Terri Waits, who has owned Newtown Feed and Supply on Main Street for 13 years. At times, adequate staffing at the firehouse has been an issue, she said.

"I just feel more secure knowing that a professional outfit is going to be servicing Newtown now," she said. "You've got to do what's (best) for a growing village. It's an efficient way to go."

Under a five-year contract, the district will serve Newtown for no more than what the village's current fire levy generates.

Pulskamp, who is vice mayor, has also been appointed to the fire district's board. The village has yet to appoint a second member to the six-member board.

"They're there for one reason, and that's to provide fire service," Pulskamp said. "We're not losing anything by joining the fire district."

The transition has gone smoothly, district officials said.

"We've had no major issues," Little Miami Chief Tom Driggers said. "As we've encountered an obstacle or minor bump, we've cleared it with relative ease."

Most of the former Newtown firefighters have applied for jobs with the district and all those who have applied were hired, Driggers said.

Newtown residents welcomed the district Saturday, stopping by the firehouse to meet the personnel on duty, officials said.

Residents "are excited about the change," Driggers said. "The citizens won't realize the changes. The changes are not that obvious."

E-mail daveck@fuse.net