Local

Weddington votes to change fire service

WEDDINGTON, N.C. — Weddington town leaders voted Thursday to change its fire service after an ongoing battle about cost and safety.

Town Council wants the county to take over the station and the mayor said this vote would save the town a lot of money.

For three years, the Providence Volunteer Fire Department has been protecting people in Weddington and their homes but leaders ended that protection.

Instead, the council wants Union County to handle fire service.

Weddington Mayor Bill Deter said it is about protecting residents while saving town money.

"The long-term benefit to the town is we don't raise taxes," Deter said. "We can keep taxes low."

But if the county takes over, there are questions where county firefighters would come from.

Ben Jones lives in Weddington and worries how long it would take county fire crews to reach him.

"I don't know what station they're going to send it from or what crew is going to be involved, whether they're familiar with the territory," Jones said. "There are all kinds of things to consider."

Weddington's Fire Chief Kenny Shott said that is a valid concern.

"I, myself, have that same concern for each and every citizen," Shott said.

He's also suggested that homeowner's insurance in Weddington could go up more than $400 a year because the fire insurance rating would change.

But the mayor said that's not the case  and that residents would essentially see no changes.

He's also suggested that homeowner's insurance in Weddington could go up more than $400 a year because the fire insurance rating would change.

But the mayor said that's not the case and that residents would essentially see no changes.