Montpelier Seeks $750,000 for Fire Station Expansion

From the Montpelier City Council meeting on November 9, 2026

Montpelier is seeking $750,000 in state grant funding for fire-station improvements, with $163,800 in local contributions toward a $913,800 project.

At a second public hearing Nov. 9, consultant Melissa Norby said the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs application is due Dec. 11. Awards are expected in February 2027. An earlier application missed funding; the Ledger covered a local-match approval for that effort in May.

The new local match consists of $27,500 from the Montpelier-Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department, $50,000 from Harrison Township and $86,300 from Montpelier's local income-tax funds. The fire department increased its contribution by $2,500 from the advertised amount to improve the application score, Norby said.

Consultant Dave Kieser described about 3,375 square feet of added space, plus roof replacement and structural repairs. Plans include upgraded heating and cooling, storage improvements and two accessible bathrooms.

Fire Chief King and Mayor Neff said the station is cramped for modern equipment and lacks a shower for firefighters exposed to chemicals. Neff said a drive-through bay would eliminate the need to back trucks onto Main Street.

The council approved Resolution 2026-11 for this application and its local match. It also approved a $65,000 Kleinpeter Consulting agreement, including $60,000 for grant administration and $5,000 for labor-standards work. The agreement takes effect only if the grant is awarded.

Source: YouTube transcript — Montpelier - Council Meeting - November 9, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.