SUNBURY — Delaware County Treasurer Donald E. Rankey Jr. recently announced his office has purchased $4.5 million of bonds for the construction of a new fire station for the BST&G Fire District.

“This is why our municipal bond program is so vitally important to the communities of Delaware County,” Rankey said in the news release dated Aug. 26. “It enables these entities to finance projects without tax increases and high interest rates, while bringing a solid return on investment for our taxpayers.”

The interest rate for BST&G’s bonds is 3.99% over 10 years. Rankey said the bond program is open to any township or municipality in the county.

“These bonds represent a crucial investment in the growth and enhancement of our services, enabling us to better serve our citizens,” said BST&G Fire Chief Christopher Kovach, in the release. “Our department takes great pride in the quality of service we provide to our communities, and we remain committed to seeking strong, local partnerships to keep business within Delaware County. We are deeply grateful to Treasurer Rankey and his team for their leadership in securing this bond fund, ensuring that we utilize our residents’ tax dollars effectively and responsibly.”

Longtime Sunbury residents will recall that from the 1950s to the early 1980s, BST&G was based on Rainbow Avenue. Currently, it is prominently located at 350 W. Cherry St., across from the Kroger. The second station will be at Interstate 71 and state Route 37, across from the still-vacant Camping World on Wilson Road. It would be completed in late 2025 or early 2026.

In 2022, the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association conducted a study on behalf of the fire district. It concluded an additional fire station was needed near I-71 and SR 37 as well as in Trenton Township, along with an ambulance stationed near the interstate. This is to meet the growing population of the eastern half of Delaware County, as well increased usage of the district’s services.

For example, at the June 5 meeting of the Trenton Township Board of Trustees, it was said the district had 127 runs in the month of April, with 27 of them in Trenton.

In January, the Delaware County Board of Commissioners approved the construction of a joint fire/EMS facility in Berkshire Township. Then in March, voters in the areas served by BST&G approved a bond issue to build both stations and renovate the Cherry Street headquarters.

Founded in 1953, BST&G serves Berkshire and Trenton townships, the city of Sunbury and the village of Galena.

Assistant Editor Gary Budzak photographs and reports on stories in eastern Delaware County and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 740-413-0906.