LOCKINGTON — Although Washington Township voters said yes to renewing an operating levy for the Lockington Fire Department, they turned down a request for additional funds to construct a storage garage.

The results of the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 6, were 303 votes for and 355 votes against a five-year, 2 mill levy that would have funded construction of a 60-foot by 64-foot steel structure in which to house fire gear. The gear is currently stored in a building that the state may take to renovate as part of the historical lock display.

The operating levy passed by a vote of 459 to 200. Counts are unofficial until the election is certified.

The loss in the building levy “means we’re going to have to better educate the folks about why we needed the addition,” said Fire Chief Jon Adams, Tuesday night. “And if the state decides to take back the building, we’ll have to find the space to move our equipment.”

The state has not given a date by when equipment would have to be moved. The issue is likely to appear on a future Washington Township ballot, Adams said.

“I will say, we’ll try it again,” he noted.