The Hope Volunteer Fire Department has reached an agreement with the contractor for its new fire station, ending a lawsuit that endangered the oldest volunteer fire department in Bartholomew County.

Fire Chief Bruce Neal announced last week that the firefighters had settled the lawsuit with JHS Construction and Fueling of Madison, the contractor for the new station on the east side of the town. The contractor had been seeking $189,000 in payments they said they were owed by the fire department.

Details of the settlement were not made available, but Neal said the department would be able to finish the new station and move in soon.

“We believe this settlement brings a new day to the Hope Volunteer Fire Department and allows us to continue to serve the citizens of Hope and Hawcreek Township for years to come,” Neal said in a press release. “We are excited about the opening of the new fire station and look forward to the day we can open the doors to the new station.”

Neal also thanked the community for its support.