Members of the Dexter Area Fire Department are expected to address the Village Council Monday night over concerns about the proposed consolidation of the Dexter and Scio Township fire departments.

The firefighters have asked for additional time under prearranged participation at the beginning of the meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Dexter Senior Center.

Jason Hilberer, president of the Dexter Firefighters Association, in a letter lists concerns from the firefighters about the merger, including “the proposed name change of the Dexter Area Fire Department” to Washtenaw Fire and Rescue, as well as other topics.

Many of the firefighters joined elected officials from Dexter and Scio, Webster and Dexter townships at a joint meeting last month at Webster Township Hall to discuss the proposed merger and the draft interlocal agreement between the communities.

Representatives from the four communities have been discussing the merger for more than two years. But at the joint meeting last month, several Webster Township trustees questioned the benefits of a combined department for the residents of their township.

Scio Township recently approved a resolution of support for the regional effort and the draft interlocal agreement. Village President Shawn Keough, who is chairman of the committee looking into the merger, included a similar resolution in the meeting information, asking for council comment on the document.

It’s expected that the Village Council will discuss the resolution of support for “the conceptual interlocal agreement for fire and rescue services with Scio Township, Dexter Township, Webster Township and The Village of Dexter.”

Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Dexter area stories, visit our Dexter page.