INDIANAPOLIS — One Indiana state senator's Facebook post is garnering lots of attention in Wayne Township.
In the post, Senator Mike Young, R-District 35, shared that Wayne Township called off its negotiations with the city about a merger with its fire department.
"In my post, I said from what I've heard, which is completely accurate. We were told the merger has been put on hold, here are the issues that's going on, they're trying to protect the firefighters and families, which makes sense," Young said.
Wayne Township merged EMS services in March.
The fire department is the next step.
"I don't know if these are rumors of the three people who told me because they would be in the know and what I've been told, all three of the stories were the same," said Young.
Wayne Township leaders say they haven't begun negotiations, which is forecasted to be a very long and complicated process.
"The finances are the next step before we can talk about personnel or any other issues, or transitions of any kind. We have to get the numbers together and that process will start in the next couple weeks," said Wayne Township spokesperson Jeff Harris.
Harris said township leaders are trying to dispel any rumors.
In two separate emails sent to firefighters and staff, Township Trustee Jeb Bardon said, "We are still very much in a fact-finding mode and no decisions have been made on anything, period. Anyone from the City, IFD or our team at Wayne Township who is making statements about your jobs, salaries, or anything else related to the merger is doing so without any facts or direct knowledge."
Harris said township leaders are expected to meet with city leaders soon.
"A lot of people are putting the cart before the horse. We've had some conversations with the city as far as getting a better understanding on processes, procedures, staffing levels, inventory, equipment and in the next couple weeks we hope to sit down with city leaders to start hammering out the finances and to make sure this works for all sides," Harris said.
Young said his goal has been to protect firefighters and their families.
"I said if that is the case, that's not a bad thing to call off negotiations because the whole idea is not to hurt firefighters or their families," said Young.
The goal is to ensure a smooth transition.