Updates at the Paxtang Municipal Building

Paxtang Borough's status update with the now independent Paxtang Fire Company #1

June 2024 -- Paxtang Borough remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community through reliable fire coverage services. In the summer of 2022, the Paxtang Borough Council unanimously voted to secure fire coverage from Swatara Township, thereby terminating our previous arrangement with the Paxtang Fire Company #1. Additionally, since January 2023, Paxtang Fire Company #1 has not provided Mutual Aid fire services to our Borough, nor has it been engaged to provide coverage to surrounding municipalities including but not limited to Swatara Township, Penbrook Borough, Susquehanna Township, or Lower Paxton Township.

Despite not providing fire protection services to Paxtang Borough nor most Boroughs or Townships in the area, the Paxtang Fire Company #1 has refused to vacate the Borough’s municipal building, to reimburse Paxtang Borough for Borough funded public utilities, and to return valuable equipment purchased solely with Borough funds, leaving the Borough no choice but to file a lawsuit for ejection. Our latest settlement offer, presented on June 4, 2024, was unfortunately rejected by the now independent Paxtang Fire Company #1. The Fire Company is compelling the Borough to engage in costly discovery before engaging in settlement negotiations. The Borough will be seeking to compel the Fire Company to participate in court ordered settlement negotiations.

We continue to provide necessary government services and authorized uses of the entire Paxtang Municipal Building in the most cost-effective manner possible. We are actively pursuing a resolution that serves the best interests of our residents and ensures seamless municipal operations.

We appreciate the understanding and patience of our community during this process. Paxtang Borough will continue to prioritize public safety and operational efficiency as we work towards a sustainable solution.

As this matter is in continued litigation, no further comments or statements will be issued at this time.

We are providing this update, for our residents, on Paxtang Borough’s lawsuit to eject the independent Paxtang Fire Company No.1 from Paxtang Borough Municipal Building.

UPDATE: Following a court hearing on February 29, 2024, Dauphin County Judge Dowling will mediate a settlement of the ejection lawsuit between Paxtang Borough and the independent Paxtang Fire Company No. 1. The Borough has agreed to permit the Fire Company continued building access and the Fire Company has agreed to vacate Borough premises by a date to be determined. We will execute a Facilities Use Agreement so that the Fire Company properly insures Borough property while they are preparing for a final exit from the premises. Paxtang Borough Council is committed to executing a timely settlement agreement, at or before the mediation on March 22, 2024.

MARCH 22, 2024: The parties entered a Facilities Use Agreement, which will ensure the Paxtang Municipal Building is insured properly, pending the final disposition of the Ejectment Litigation.

As this matter is in continued litigation, no further comments or statements will be issued at this time.

We are providing this update, for our residents, on Paxtang Borough’s lawsuit to eject the independent Paxtang Fire Company No.1 from Paxtang Borough Municipal Building.

MARCH 22, 2024: The parties entered a Facilities Use Agreement, which will ensure the Paxtang Municipal Building is insured properly, pending the final disposition of the Ejectment Litigation.

As this matter is in continued litigation, no further comments or statements will be issued at this time.

Jan. 2023: Due to the news of the Dauphin County District Attorney charging Paxtang Fire Company Chief Matthew Lemmon with a theft offense graded as a 3rd degree felony, and the independent Paxtang Fire Company’s refusal to immediately suspend Chief Lemmon, the Paxtang Borough Council was forced to ask Swatara Township to remove the Paxtang Fire Company No. 1 from the Paxtang Borough fire call box cards.

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Paxtang Borough Council has permitted Paxtang Fire Company No 1 to remain free of cost in the Paxtang Municipal Building since August 1, 2022, when the necessary contract for services began, with Swatara Township Fire and Rescue. Despite the Borough’s repeated requests, the Paxtang Fire Company No 1 failed to obtain liability insurance to indemnify the Borough. On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, to relieve Paxtang Borough taxpayers from the enormous liability stemming from the fire company’s inaction, Borough Council authorized legal action to eject Paxtang Fire Company No 1 from Borough Property. Click below for a comments made by Councilman Fillman at the meeting.

Paxtang Municipal Building, 3423 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111

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Updates at the Paxtang Municipal Building

Paxtang Municipal Building, 3423 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111

PennDOT: 29th Street Bridge Project (will close July 8 for construction )

Details on 29th St. Bridge Closing English Spanish

Updates at the Paxtang Municipal Building

PennDOT:
29th Street Bridge Project (will close July 8 for construction )

Details on 29th St. Bridge Closing
English Spanish