Salisbury Township officials' plans to recoup emergency services costs for the township police and public works departments and township volunteer fire companies may have hit a legislative road block.

Township officials researched state law on the matter. There seems to be no legal remedy for reimbursements for the emergency services costs.

"You have to have the authority to do that," Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano told commissioners during the July 10 workshop following the regular township meeting.

Salisbury Township Solicitor Atty. John W. Ashley researched the first class township code. Salisbury is classified as a first class township. A first class township has an elected board with a minimum of five commissioners elected by wards to four-year terms.

"You're a creature of the statue [first class township code]," Ashley said. "You have the powers the statute gives you."

Township Commissioner James Seagreaves, an Eastern Salisbury Fire Department volunteer firefighter, made the proposal at the June 26 township meeting for a township ordinance to recoup emergency services costs.

The proposed ordinance gained the backing of several township commissioners and two key township department heads, including Salisbury Township Director of Public Works John Andreas.

A 1988 township oil spill ordinance covers petroleum and chemical spills that cause fires and permits the township to attempt to recoup the cost to clean up oil spills. The ordinance does not cover the cost of fires, vehicular accidents and search and rescue.

Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles has backed Seagreaves' proposal.

Stiles has said the township pays initial costs for a hazardous material cleanup and it sometimes takes months for reimbursements.

Eastern and Western Salisbury Township fire departments utilize third-party billing.

Seagreaves presented examples of other municipalities' ordinances concerning cost reimbursements.

The measure could save the township hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars.

"I think what Jim [Seagreaves] is looking for is the township's blessing," Commissioner President James A. Brown said during the July 10 workshop.

"I see no reason why we can't do it," Commissioner Vice President Debra Brinton said.

"You just want a resolution to allow you to bill?" Brinton asked.

"Yes," responded Seagreaves. "They've [insurance companies] asked our billing company for proof of ordinance.

"We're not trying to set fees," Seagreaves noted.

"We document everything we use on a call," Seagreaves said.

"Some insurance companies are more likely to pay. Some are more likely not to pay," Seagreaves said.

Soriano recommended an administrative meeting be held with township, fire company and third-party billing officials to discuss the matter.