October 8, 1986

White River district approved

       A compromise between fire departments was the deciding factor in the approval of a new fire protection district in White River Township.  During a special meeting Tuesday night, the Johnson County commissioners unanimously voted to allow creation of the district within the present boundaries of the White River Township Volunteer Fire Department.  Funds generated through a fire protection district will allow the department to keep up with White River Township growth by planning for new fire houses and equipment.  Proponents said response time would be shortened by paying a full time firefighter to stay on station and respond immediately when an alarm is sounded.

         Originally, the White River Township department wanted a three mile area covered by the Bargersville Volunteer Fire Department included in its new district.  That move prompted Bargersville firemen, upset about possibly losing some protection territory, to hire Franklin Attorney B.J. Deppe.  A “gentleman’s agreement” reached in the 1950’s established Stones Crossing Road as the boundary between the Bargersville Community Volunteer Fire Department to the south and the White River Township department to the north, said Jim Thompson, Chief of the Bargersville Department.  Proposed boundries of the district dipped a half mile south to Travis Road (County Road 650N) from the Johnson Morgan County Line to Morgantown Road.  The section included Pennington Estates and Center Grove High School east of Morgantown Road.
 
 

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