The Butler Township commissioners on Wednesday voted to terminate the joint fire chief agreement it has had with Butler for more than two years in favor of a program in which township volunteer firefighters are being paid stipends to work shifts.

Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of terminating the contract, signed in 2018, that allows for the joint chief to run the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District and the city fire department.

A 30-day termination clause in the contract means the contract will be terminated in 30 days, said Dave Zarnick, commissioners chairman.

Under the contract, Fire Chief Chris Switala was stationed at the city fire station and spent most of his time working with the city's full-time firefighters, and worked as needed with the volunteer fire district. Switala is supposed to bill the township for time he worked there, but he doesn't regularly submit bills, Zarnick said.

Initially hired by the township as fire marshal in April 2018, Switala was named chief of the city and township fire departments later that year.

Commissioner Fred Vero said the commissioners have been discussing terminating the contract with city officials, and the city is “on board” with the township's decision.

Terminating the joint chief contract does not nullify the important mutual aid agreement between the city and township fire departments, Zarnick said.

Beginning Feb. 1, the volunteer fire district began paying stipends to member firefighters to work shifts.

Zarnick said 18 firefighters have signed up to work four to five hour shifts. He said two to four firefighters work each shift for about $50 per shift. The pay is a little higher for those who drive fire trucks and a little less for those with fewer qualifications, he said. A minimum of two firefighters work each shift, and one has to be a driver, he added.

“We have a steady crew on at the station,” Zarnick said.

He said firefighters who receive the stipend can work from home, but they are required to respond to emergency calls.

The volunteer firefighters also use their time on the clock for training and vehicle and equipment maintenance, which they used to do between responding to 50 or 60 calls a month, leading to many “getting burned out,” Zarnick said.

Commissioner James Lokhaiser Jr. said the change at the fire district has spurred people to join. He said the district accepted six new firefighter applications last week.

Zarnick said the joint operations between the city and township fire departments were successful and led to faster emergency response times and joint training.

In unrelated business, the commissioners agreed to apply to the county recreation program for a $7,500 grant, which the township would match with $2,500, to buy three picnic tables that are accessible for people with disabilities, replace all the tables at the recreation building and buy three pickleball nets.

The commissioners also voted to adopt blue and green as the township's official colors.