BRISTOL — Trustees and fire officials from neighboring Bristol and Mecca townships plan to form a committee to renew discussions on forming a joint fire district.

Bristol Trustee Jim Cicchillo and fire Chief Steve Craiger said at Tuesday’s trustee meeting that a committee will be formed and meetings planned between the two townships.

“There is interest from both communities on the idea of having a joint fire district. We need to meet and discuss the logistics of what is involved,” Cicchillo said.

He said it is hard for many fire departments to get staff, equipment and vehicles.

“There are many joint fire districts in the state of Ohio. For many smaller communities, this benefits them,” Cicchillo said.

Craiger said a committee would include a trustee representative from both townships and the two fire chiefs to discuss options and ideas.

Craiger spoke to Ron Stanish, chief of the Eagle Joint Fire District, which serves the city of Hubbard and Hubbard Township, regarding how they operate and provide fire protection to residents.

Craiger said joint fire districts would have more funds to hire staff and have better chances of securing grants and funding for fire equipment.

The idea of a local joint fire district has been discussed at recent trustee meetings.

Craiger said the Bristol Fire Department is expedited to receive a new ambulance in the spring paid for with American Rescue Plan funds from the county commissioners. The vehicle will replace an older one that will be sold.

He said the fire department also received a new informational sign outside the fire building.

In other business, resident Rhonda Snyder informed residents and officials on how to get a better aggregation rate for electricity.

Snyder said the current rate with Energy Harbor for electric aggregation is .0543 kwh as of early February, compared to .0790 kwh with Dynegy, which Trumbull County commissioners recently approved.

Snyder said people’s property taxes have gone up and now electric aggregation rates are going up.

“My property taxes doubled last year. I can’t afford for my electric bill to double also. I am currently with Energy Harbor, which was our last aggregate. I want to keep my rate lower and find what is best for me. Ohio Edison will always be your distributor for electric in this area,” Snyder said.

She said residents received information in the mail on how to opt out from Dynegy, otherwise a resident is automatically enrolled.

Snyder said the automatic enrollment is known as “utility slamming.”

She said some communities, such as Cortland, have their own aggregation choice.

Information on electric aggregation options can be found at www.energychoice.oh.gov.

In other business, trustees:

• Entered into an agreement with Bloomfield Township to provide fire and emergency medical service protection for one year at $5,000. Bristol responds to emergency calls in Bloomfield.

• Hired Joseph Danks as a part-time firefighter / paramedic.

• Heard from Ken Weeks, chairman of the zoning board, of plans for a social media site so the public will know what the board is working on.

• Announced a chili cookoff fundraiser hosted by the township historical society 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the township administration building. Proceeds from the event will be used for the society’s museum.