LACROFT — With the acceptance of Dave Ward’s resignation from the Liverpool Township Fire Department Tuesday, Jacob Russell’s acting fire chief gig went to a permanent post.

Ward, the department’s embattled fire chief, submitted his resignation letter Sept. 26, resigning as chief and as a firefighter effective Tuesday.

Quoting his letter, Ward said that after “nearly 30 years of dedicated service without incident,” he found himself at a crossroads where he no longer in good conscience can continue to serve in a role where the safety of firefighters is not treated in top priority.

“The past two months have revealed actions and decisions that, in my view, compromise the well-being of our personnel and prioritize personal or political agendas over firefighter safety,” he wrote.

Ward admitted that it is disheartening that a single incident, which was rooted in his attempt to protect his crew, has been used to question his integrity without investigation or an open dialogue.

Trustees decided to reconfigure the chief’s compensation, lowering the pay from $700 to $400, but making the chief, as an active firefighter, eligible to collect the pay for responding to fire calls.

According to board chair Dennis Giambroni, firefighters respond to between 100 and 200 calls per year, and would need to meet a minimum of 20 calls to be eligible to collect.

In other fire-related action, Russell told trustees that the department has applied for a $1,000 annual safety grant that would assist with the purchase of 10 lights and replacement of one firefighter’s boots damaged on the job.

With Ward’s exit, one firefighter resigned in protest; however, they have gained another seven firefighters.

Litter control supervisor Marion Perkins reported that 69 bags have been collected this year from township roads, with trustee Dennis Giambroni sharing that he had accepted a $750 grant on behalf of the litter program from Arcwood Environmental, which is the new name of Heritage Thermal.

Trustees also reminded they still are seeking applicants for a full-time road crew laborer, who would do routine road maintenance and general labor. Candidates should be age 18 or older, possess a valid driver’s license, have experience with heavy equipment or road maintenance and be able to perform physical labor in various weather conditions.

Starting pay is $16.10 per hour (an extra 50 cents per hour plus benefits if possessing a CDL).

Resumes can be emailed to roadcrew@liverpooltownship.com or dropped off during regular business hours at the road office, 865 Ninth Ave.

In other action, trustees:

— Paid $50,372.3 worth of warrants and EFTs.

— Approved the revised cybersecurity policy.

— Authorized the fiscal officer to supplement the appropriations $10,796 in the contracted service line item of the Police District fund.

— Authorized the purchase of four new tires for a road truck.

— Set trick-or-treat hours for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

The next township trustee meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the township administration building.

sumhelyi@mojonews.com