It was originally scheduled to open in June, then in late August. Officials from Megen Construction Inc. said the completion date is now Oct. 29. The $2 million, 13,500-square-foot station will serve as fire headquarters in Butler County's fastest-growing township.

Population has tripled in the last 14 years from 9,240 in the 1990 census to an estimated 28,000. The growth is fueling the need for the third station.

The station is being built on a 6.6-acre tract along Ohio 747, just north of the Butler Regional Highway (Ohio 129, formerly the Fox Highway) in the township's southwest quadrant. Once opened, response time should drop from an average of eight minutes in that quadrant to between three and four minutes, said Fire Chief Paul Stumpf. Fire and emergency medical calls have increased from 1,200 calls in 2000 to between 1,600 and 1,700 projected for 2004, Stumpf said.

The building was first delayed last year when masonry and exterior doors and windows bids came in over budget. Further delays centered on permits and easements for a gas pipeline that runs through the property; obtaining sewer and water permits, a longer inspection process than anticipated and rain, Stumpf said.

At the same time, township officials are wrangling with Megen over $42,700 in billing.

Megen is putting together a proposal to resolve the issue, which trustees will consider Oct. 18.

"I want to see the whole picture. I want to see something in writing,'' said Trustee President Christine Matacic."I want to compare apples with apples.''

The township is continuing its hiring of seven full-time firefighter/paramedics, Stumpf said. That would bring the force to 18 full-time firefighters, 60 part-time/volunteer firefighters, the chief and two assistants.

E-mail suek@infionline.net