Released Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 to:
- Supervisor Kim Clear
- Supervisor James Bock
- Supervisor Kylie Morris, D.O.
Re: Concerns Regarding Recent Actions by Township Representatives and the Fire & EMS Commission
Dear Millcreek Supervisors,
Belle Valley Fire Department is writing to express serious concerns about recent developments that threaten the progress made during our discussions with Millcreek Township and raise questions about the Township's commitment to reaching a fair and workable resolution.
Over the course of our recent meetings, we believed we were making progress in two separate discussions aimed at resolving outstanding issues between Belle Valley and the Township. We entered those conversations in good faith, with the understanding that there was a path forward that could protect the independence of our volunteer fire departments while ensuring the continued delivery of fire protection services to Millcreek residents.
Belle Valley was given until Nov. 4 to decide whether to sign an agreement that the Township itself acknowledged contains significant deficiencies. Despite those deficiencies, we were prepared to take the question to our membership, relying on the Township's assurance that the agreement would be renegotiated after Belle Valley signed it. In other words, we were being asked to commit to a flawed agreement first and trust that the Township would correct it later, with no renegotiated terms in place at the time of signing. Our willingness to consider that arrangement was an act of good faith, based on the representations made by the Township during our meetings.
However, the actions taken at Thursday's Fire & EMS Commission meeting have seriously undermined that confidence.
During the meeting, Fire Chief Mike Cliff advanced threats to take state Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association funds allocated to Belle Valley and to decertify the department. These actions represent a significant escalation, particularly when the Supervisors had agreed to continue discussions and had established Nov. 4 as the deadline for Belle Valley to make its decision regarding the deficient agreement.
It is difficult to reconcile those threats with the progress we believed we were making at the negotiating table. Belle Valley cannot be expected to engage in good-faith negotiations while facing actions that threaten the department's standing as a recognized volunteer fire department and the relief funds that support its equipment, operations and ability to serve the community. Those funds are provided through a state program for the benefit of volunteer firefighters and their organizations. Any effort to redirect or take those funds must be grounded in the applicable law, not used as leverage in a disagreement over the Township's preferred fire service arrangement.
Failure to Provide Official Commission Communications to Belle Valley's Representative
We are equally troubled by the failure to ensure that Belle Valley's representative to the Fire & EMS Commission, Jeff Skonieczki, received official communications. Commission Secretary John Marsden acknowledged to Mr. Skonieczki Thursday evening that he knew Mr. Skonieczki's email address was incorrect on the Commission's distribution list and that emails were bouncing back as a result. Despite knowing about the problem, Mr. Marsden has failed to correct this. Consequently, Mr. Skonieczki was not receiving meeting notices and other Commission communications necessary to fulfill his responsibilities as Belle Valley's representative.
It is unacceptable that a known error in the Commission's official distribution list was allowed to persist, preventing Belle Valley's designated representative from receiving information to which he is entitled.
Belle Valley's representative cannot effectively fulfill his responsibilities to the Commission if communications are not reaching him and known problems with his contact information go unaddressed. We expect the Township and Commission to ensure that our designated representative receives meeting notices and other official communications in a timely manner. This is a basic requirement for meaningful participation and fair treatment of the volunteer departments represented on the Commission.
Taken together, these developments raise serious concerns about whether Belle Valley is being afforded a fair opportunity to participate in the process and whether the commitments made during our discussions are being honored. We have consistently sought a constructive resolution. We remain willing to work toward one, but that requires good-faith negotiations, reliable communication and an end to threats that prejudge the outcome while discussions are still underway.
Accordingly, we ask the Board of Supervisors to:
- Clarify the Township's position regarding the threats made at Thursday's Fire & EMS Commission meeting, including the threatened action involving Belle Valley's state relief funds and the department's certification.
- Honor the negotiating process and the Nov. 4 deadline previously established, without taking retaliatory or prejudicial action against Belle Valley while discussions remain ongoing.
- Ensure proper communication with Jeff Skonieczki and confirm that his email address and contact information are corrected so that he receives all Commission notices and official correspondence.
- Reaffirm the Township's commitment to good-faith negotiations aimed at reaching a lawful, workable agreement that respects the independence of the volunteer fire departments and protects the interests of Millcreek residents.
Belle Valley Fire Department has a longstanding commitment to protecting the residents of Millcreek Township. We expect to be treated as a partner in that responsibility, not as an organization to be pressured into accepting deficient terms under the threat of losing its resources or recognition.
We ask the Supervisors to address these concerns promptly and reaffirm that the discussions already underway will proceed in good faith, consistent with the commitments made to Belle Valley.
Sincerely,
Dave Nientimp, President
Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department
