New Philadelphia, Goshen Township Reach New Fire Protection Agreement
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Nov. 11, 2026) — Goshen Township will pay substantially more for fire protection services over the next three years under a new agreement tentatively approved by both communities.
New Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved the contract Monday, and Safety Director Kevin Milligan said Goshen Township trustees have verbally agreed to the terms.
Milligan has previously said New Philadelphia residents were paying more than twice as much as Goshen residents for the same level of emergency protection. He said city officials sought an agreement that would better balance those costs while remaining affordable for the township.
Under the new contract, Goshen Township would pay $275,000 in 2027, $300,000 in 2028 and $325,000 in 2029. The current annual payment is $180,000, meaning the township’s cost will increase by roughly 50 to 80 percent over the life of the agreement. The first payment would be due in January.
City officials have said that without a new agreement, Goshen Township would have needed to seek fire protection services elsewhere beginning next year.