EVANS CITY — In 2016, the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department responded to 51 calls in the borough, and 72 calls in neighboring Forward Township.

Lee Dyer, borough council president, said at Monday night’s meeting that he learned those numbers at a recent meeting with Matt Otto, fire department president.

“Where we house the fire department, we have the least number of calls,” Dyer said.

Kim Armstrong, council vice president, said after the meeting that the fire department has covered Forward Township since anyone can remember.

“They need to realize that fire service is not cheap, it’s expensive,” Armstrong said.

She said the township does give an annual donation, but it was decreased for 2017.

Otto, who attends the township supervisors monthly meetings to share the number of calls in the two municipalities, said the township normally donates $28,000 annually, and pledged slightly less last year.

Otto said a new fire tax in the township has been discussed in years past. “There is an open line of discussion with (the township supervisors).”

He added that the fire department is happy to cover both Evans City and Forward Township, and that fire officials will continue looking at the issue.

“We want to do what’s best for the department and all of the people we protect,” Otto said.