In the 2009-10 Richmond County budget, the area at the intersection of Fox Road and U.S. 1 will become part of the Northside Fire Department District 2 Fire District.

Lavell Anderson of Fox Road presented a request Monday night to Richmond County Board of Commissioners to settle a situation in which residents of that area are served by three different fire departments:

n Hamlet with a station 10 miles away.

n Hoffman with a station nine miles away (although the Marston sub-station is four miles away).

n Northside No. 2 with a station about one mile away.

Anderson said the issue was presented four years ago with a petition to the fire chiefs’ association.

He said there are about 100 residences in the area in question.

The purpose is to have a quicker response from the closest fire department and a better rating for property insurance premiums.

Anderson there was no problem with Hamlet or Hoffman departments in moving the fire district boundaries, and Northside Fire Chief Roger Gardner approved the move.

County Manager Jim Haynes said he would request new lines be drawn and approved by the Fire Chiefs’ Association to be inserted in the new budget.

Commissioner Thad Ussery said to be sure the changes also had the approval of the N.C. Insurance Commissioner’s Office.