January 16, 2013
Minutes
Chairman John Boyd called the meeting to order
at 7:23 p.m.
Pledge to the flag was given.
Roll
Call: OLD BOARD:
John Boyd; Greg Babbitt; Elizabeth G. Carr; and Carolyn Towsley.
Absent Arturo Pierera and Phil Hanford.
Approval
of Agenda – Elizabeth Carr moved that
the Agenda with additions be approved.
Supported by Greg Babbitt.
Motion carried.
Approval
of Minutes –Greg Babbitt moved the
minutes be approved as presented.
Supported by Elizabeth Carr. Motion
carried.
Treasurer’s Report –Reviewed Profit
and Loss Budget vs Actual and Balance Sheets for Fire Department and First
Responders. Firemen Checking
$15,383.24 – Firemen Fund $1,036.23 - Independent Bank $14,736.70.
Total Assets $31,156.17 as of January 16, 2013.
First Responders Checking $12,999.64 as of January 16, 2013.
John Boyd said the report would be accepted as presented.
Carolyn Towsley moved to approve the bills: Fire
Department checks #4679-4714 and First Responders checks #1327-1340.
Greg Babbitt seconded. Roll
Call: Greg Babbitt – yea; Elizabeth Carr – yea; Carolyn Towsley – yea; and John
Boyd – yea. Motion carried.
Election
of Fire Board Officers – Michelle
Graham, Susan Sikkema and John Boyd were elected to the Fire Board by Mecosta
Township. Michelle Graham moved to
elect John Boyd as Chairperson, Michelle Graham as Vice Chairperson, Carolyn
Towsley as Secretary, and Elizabeth Carr as Treasurer.
Greg Babbitt seconded.
Motion carried.
Old
Business –
6X6 –
Pump shaft should be received in the
next week or two. Company only
covers order after they have a quota quantity on order to begin manufacturing
them. Vehicle should be back in
service no later than our March meeting.
Language
for First Responders – Language on
qualifications to become a first responder was tabled until March meeting.
A new SOG needs to be developed.
New
Business –
Fire
Chief’s Report – Marv Bell reported
there were 79 runs in 2012. 7 fire
runs since last meeting. Two
ceiling fans need to be replaced and they will cost $395 to replace and install.
Safety
Report - No reported injuries.
NIMS compliance needs to be met by several fire department staff and fire
board members. Ron Palmer is the
new President for training programs for the county and he will find dates and
meeting places for those members.
Fire Fighter I and II classes are currently be taken by two.
There will be no charge for this training since it is covered by a grant.
Ice rescue training will take place in Ashton.
There is enough in the training budget to cover the training of three
people.
Maintenance Report – Steve Cook
reported that minor maintenance has been done.
The siren on 3-11 has been moved from the roof to the front of the
vehicle.
MFR
Report –Runs:
144 calls for 2012. 23% were
in Austin Township, 2% out of the area and 75% in Mecosta Township of which 3%
were on the expressway. MFR class
will be held in March with one person for sure and another possible one.
At a recent meeting the county approved the 1st $3,500
allotment and the money for the last two month runs.
Our department is running about 6% of the calls in the county.
Short
and Long Term Needs – Short term
goals presented were: light motion sensor at front entry door ($200); 2 sets of
turn out gear ($1,700 ea. - $3,400); 3 ice rescue suits ($750 ea. - $2,300); 6 –
1 ¾ hose ($125 ea. - $750); 4 – 2 ½ hose ($165 ea. - $660); and 3 exterior doors
($750 for all 3). Susan Sikkema
moved to have the fire department proceed to purchase the turn out gear, ice
rescue suits and hoses based on what is currently left in this year’s budget not
to exceed $7,200. Michelle Graham
seconded. Greg Babbitt – yea; Elizabeth Carr – yea; Michelle Graham – yea; Susan
Sikkema - yea; Carolyn Towsley – yea; and John Boyd – yea.
Motion carried. Long term
goals are new engine/pumper tanker and projector screen.
John Boyd said he could get a projector screen from Morley Stanwood.
For next year’s budget we need to add wages to conduct commercial site
visits. There are about 60 visits
that need to be conducted based on 5-10 hours per visit at $12/hourly rate.
If they conduct 20 per year an additional $1,700+ will need to be
added to budget. It was discussed
that we may want to revisit the hourly rate being paid for our fire department.
It has been 5-8 years since the last rate increase.
Michelle Graham moved that the Fire Board recommends to the Joint
Township Board a $66,000 operating budget for 2013 to cover increased wages and
onsite inspection hours. Susan
Sikkema seconded. Motion carried.
Election
of Chief – The Fire Chief’s position
needs to be posted. Sign up on the
post and submittal of resumes need to be in by March 13, 2013.
If there are multiple applicants the fire board interview board will meet
on March 20, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.
Those named to the interview board were:
Michelle Graham, Susan Sikkema, Carolyn Towsley, Ron Palmer, Allen
Brennan and Tom O’Neil.
Brief
Public Comment – Elizabeth Carr told
everyone that the budget packets included information they needed to prepare for
their 2013 budget. Preliminary
meeting was scheduled for February 7 for both Fire Department and First
Responders.
Announcements – None.
Correspondence – Crystal Flash letter
regarding 1% discount if we allowed electronic fund transfer.
Carolyn Towsley just wanted to let the Board know we had received the
letter but disregarded it since we had denied it when we first starting getting
their service.
The next meeting will be MARH 20, 2013 at 7:00
p.m. at the Fire Hall or 6:30 p.m. if fire chief interviews need to be
conducted.
Adjournment - At 9:20 p.m. John Boyd
declared the meeting closed.
Submitted by,
Carolyn Towsley, Secretary