Small, new dots appear on the Perry Township landscape, and these new additions could mean improved fire safety. Hecla Water Company has installed six new water hydrants throughout the township, and two more are on the way.

Hecla Water Co. Engineer Tim Dalton said the hydrants will not have fire flow ability. That is, they will not be used to actually fight a fire. But fire fighters will be able to use the fill up their pumper trucks at these hydrants and flush their equipment as well.

"We can't give them everything they would like but we hope it does help," Dalton said. "It may cut travel time down."

The hydrants are a joint project between township trustees and the water company, with each paying half of the bill. Each six-inch hydrant costs $2,500 -$3,000 to install. Each two-inch hydrant costs approximately $1,000.

Hecla Water Company has installed such hydrants in Rome Township as well.