ROSEBORO — Town leaders are hoping to persuade its volunteer firefighters to have their payment, $10 per fire call, be directly deposited into their checking or savings accounts. However, Roseboro fire chief Bobby Owen had a few reservations about the move and let the Roseboro board know it during a recent meeting.

Owen pointed out that while he did not have a problem with the move, he felt that some of his firefighters would since some do not have checking accounts where a check could be deposited.

In an interview, Owen stressed that his reservations with the change have to do with four or five of his volunteers who would have to open a checking account just to put $10 in it per call. He also stated that he has heard from some of his firefighters that they have been charged up to $2.50 for deposits because their accounts do not meet the minimum balance requirements. This would leave the firefighters only making $7.50 per call.

The fire chief stated that he has not spoken to his volunteers about this move yet, but planned Monday nightwhen members have their regular meeting.

“If all of them want to do this, I will not have a problem with direct deposit,” said Owen. In the meantime, he stated, “I am going to look out for my firefighters, and I am going to do what is best for them.”

But, town officials, including mayor Roland Hall, are hoping that the fire department staff will have a change of heart.

Hall stated that town clerk Drenda Ammons will be working with the department to encourage the change, if the volunteers will agree to the change.

“She will work with them and encourage as many as possible,” Hall commented.

At this point, Hall established that the prospect of direct deposit is open to the firefighters if they choose this option, even if some do not wish to change.

“I don’t know if everyone will agree to do that, but that is the goal,” said Hall.

Hall remarked that the purpose of direct deposit is that it makes accounting “more efficient.”

“It makes accounting for those transactions easier, if we can get everyone to do that,” said Hall.

Ammons said the fire chief wants the opinions of his firefighters before getting back in touch with her about the proposal.

The $10 payment, Ammons commented, is to offset the cost of fuel that the volunteers may incur.

And, in knowing that they are, in fact, volunteering their time, she would understand if they did not want to go with direct deposit.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.