New cost recovery rules for Milford get board's OK

The Milford Township Board of Trustees voted Wednesday, Aug. 15 to adopt a new ordinance regarding emergency action cost recovery.

The amendment replaces the current cost recovery rules and amends the regulations pertaining to the collection of fees for emergency medical and fire services in the township.

The new ordinance states that it is in place to “provide for the payment, reimbursement and collection of fees for the fire, medical, rescue and other emergency services provided by the Charter Township of Milford in certain situations where the Township Board of Trustees has determined that the cost of providing those services should be the full or partial responsibility of the persons and/or property that created or caused the need for or otherwise benefited from the services.”

Exemptions to this rule include structure fires involving physical improvements to real property, situations wherein emergency response is rendered pursuant to a mutual aid agreement with another municipality, and emergency response services involving township buildings, grounds and/or property.

It also states that for any response by the township Fire Department, the person, persons, or entities requiring a response who are not exempt shall pay the response costs.

If it’s unclear who the responsible party is, the costs would then be assessed on a pro rata basis.

Then within 60 days after services have been provided by the Fire Department, or as soon as possible, a cost recovery invoice will be sent to the last known address(es) of the responsible party or parties.

The invoice will then be due within 30 days of the mailing, with non-payment resulting in a civil infraction.

A person who wishes to appeal the payment will have to submit a written request to the township supervisor within 14 days of receiving the invoice.