Stoneboro Volunteer Fire Department will soon be paying for part of the water used at the Linden Street station.

Council members voted Wednesday to charge the department for water used in the station's social hall, beginning with the next quarterly billing.

Council Vice President Kay Medberry said council decided to begin charging for water used in the social hall because the department rents the hall for private events.

Ms. Medberry said the fire company will continue to receive free water for the trucks and the garage where trucks are housed.

Based on the fire department's water usage for the first quarter of 2003, Ms. Medberry said the bill would run about $60 a quarter.

Council members also agreed to have their solicitor review an ordinance proposed by the fire department that would authorize firefighters to bill insurance companies for cleanup costs after an accident or a fire.

A department representative said most insurance policies cover such payments, but many fire departments don't take advantage of it.

The municipality must have the ordinance on the books in order for the fire department to collect the payment, he said, adding the department is making the same request of all the municipalities it serves.