The Saline Fire Authority Board met Wednesday evening and discussed recent donations to the department from data center developers Related Digital (RD) and battery storage facility developers Jupiter Energy (JE) in Saline Township. The combined donations will total over $10,000,000 for the department.
Donations to the Department:
Discussions with Related Digital has centered around RD purchasing equipment, identified as needs by Chief Jason Sperle, that would then be gifted to the fire department. Equipment identified for potential purchase by RD include:
Tower Truck: $2,500,000
Tanker Truck: $1,400,000
Engine: $1,400,000
Station Fund: $2,000,000
Chevy Tahoe Truck: $59,000
Chevy 2500 Truck: $65,000
Smoke House: $105,000
Uplifting of lights & radios: $22,000
Estimated total cost of equipment: $7,551,000
Sperle noted that the quoted prices were 2025 prices and costs are expected to continue to rise.
“The Tahoe is in our possession, with a free and clear title to the Saline Area Fire Department,” Sperle said, “with the Silverado in production.”
Sperle reported that JE has agreed to erect two empty pole barns on their property. One structure will be designated as a training facility for firefighters.
“JE will construct an empty shell,” Sperle said, “and we will do some build out inside that will be used for training exercises.”
He said the training site will help the department with their ISO certification (Insurance Service Office). Departmental ISO scores are used by insurance companies when setting rates for homeowner insurance in the coverage area of the department. The other pole barn will be used primarily for storage.
JE is also willing to donate up to five acres of land to be used for a potential future substation that would offer better fire suppression services for township residents.
“In addition to the donation of the land, JE will install a 32,000-gallon water holding tank that fire fighters will access for any fires in the area,” Sperle said. “JE will add a hydrant on site, which will improve our response time and support overall improvements for the department.”
Fire Authority Millage:
Laurie Champion, representative from the City of Saline, reported the steering committee has prioritized work supporting a fire millage. After discussion, the board recommended the millage be set at three mills. Sperle noted that three mills, assessed over the authority’s entire geographic area, would produce over $6,000,000 in income.
“This will help us stay on track with the department’s ten-year plan, supporting equipment upgrades and replacements, improving training and service to our communities,” Sperle noted.
The next meeting of the Saline Fire Authority Board is Wednesday, 7/3 at 6 p.m. at the Saline Fire Station, located at 205 E. Michigan Ave., in Saline.
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
