Citing a lack of volunteers and increased costs, the head of the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company has pleaded with borough council to adopt a fire tax.

Fire Chief Michael Spairana asked borough council on Tuesday to consider passing a 2-mill fire tax, which he said would generate an additional $22,000 to $24,000 for the fire company.Spairana said the volunteer ranks have continued to diminish over time due to the time requirements of training, fundraising, and taking calls."We're not getting the volunteers we used to," Spairana said. "We cannot sell enough hamburgers to buy a $500,000 firetruck."Spairana said the fire department receives about $12,000 a year from the borough. That includes the 0.347 mills the borough donates that generates about $5,000; a $2,000 donation from the general fund, and about $4,800 through Verizon leasing property from the borough to put a cell tower up.The fire department's expenses are $60,000, which he said leaves no money to update equipment. Money that would be generated from the 2-mill fire tax would go toward the cost of the department, Spairana said."It's imperative that we try to fund the fire department before the volunteers decide they've had enough," he said."We not only need the volunteer firefighter, but also the fundraising efforts."Spairana said there are 980 residents in the borough, while the fire department has 15 firefighters who range in age from 16-65."The community doesn't seem to support us," he said. "They're going to have to step up to the plate (sooner or later)."Council President Kara Scott asked Spairana how the fire company's bar makes out.Spairana said, "Even that's diminishing."After the meeting, Spairana said the bar was established to be a fundraising arm of the fire department."That was the way we were going to generate our monies to sustain the department, and for many years, that was true," he said. "But in the past 10 or 15 years, it's diminished."Councilman John Domant, who previously served as the fire department's financial secretary, told Spairana he believes the loss of the ladies auxiliary was a blow.Councilman Burdell Steigerwalt asked Spairana whether the fire department advertises its events.Spairana said the fire department tries to market itself the best that it can, and added that it will have a stand at this weekend's Palmerton Community Festival.Additionally, he said it advertises in the Times News, has a website, is on Facebook, and advertises events such as its Thursday Wing Night, Sunday morning breakfasts, and pub night every Friday and Saturday throughout town. He said events are open to the public and anyone can attend.Councilman Darren Thomas said he doesn't see an issue with Spairana's request, even if council were to start off with a 1-mill fire tax.No action was taken by council on Spairana's request.