1-4-89 Jt Fire Board Minutes
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MINUTES
MONTICELLO JOINT FIRE BOARD
January 4, 1989 - 7:00 p.m.
Individuals Present:
Fire Department Representatives Scott Douglas, Marn
Flicker, George Liefert, and Fire Chief, Willard
Farnick: Township Representatives Ted Holker and Ken
Scadden, along with City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller.
The purpose of the joint meeting was to discuss the Monticello Township's share
of the fire department budget for 1989 and the recent purchase by the City of
Monticello of a new aerial ladder pumper fire truck. It was noted that with
the inclusion of the new fire truck within the formula established for the cost
sharing between Monticello Township and the City of Monticello, the $280,340
truck would increase the Township's annual contribution to the fire department
by approximately $4,700 per year.
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Mr. Ted Holker, Township Board Member, informed the group that at the present
time the Township did not feel the new aerial ladder truck would be used within
the township and should not be included in the formula to determine the cost
sharing arrangement. Fire department members noted that although the fire
truck does contain an aerial ladder system, it is still mainly a pumper fire
truck and was necessary to replace the 1962 pumper owned by the City. Normally
in the past, the City's pumper truck was always used as a standby piece of
equipment during a township fire but was available if needed. It was felt by
the fire department members that a standby pumper is still necessary and that
the Township should not just consider this new fire truck as being an aerial
ladder truck usable only in the city limits. Again, the Township
representatives felt the truck would not be necessarily used within the
township: and their indications at this time are that they would rather not see
the truck used at all for any townShip fire.
Although the fire department could make arrangements with the Township that
would prohibit the use of the new truck within the township, it was pointed out
that there could be a liability question by having the equipment available and
not responding to a fire. Fire Chief, Willie Farnick, expressed serious
concern over not being able to use the piece of equipment if the department
felt it was necessary and would rather see the Township not take this
approach.
The discussion by the group then turned to the idea that the Township should
consider this new aerial truck as being a replacement pumper, which it is, and
possibly the average price for the pumper fire truck only could be included
within the contract. Using this approach, it was estimated that the new pumper
truck by itself without the ladder would still have cost approximately $150,000
to $180,000. If within the formula a value of $150,000 was used, this would
somewhat lower the Township's cost sharing arrangement. Using this approach, a
separate agreement, if necessary, could still be completed to cover the use of
the aerial ladder portion of the truck at a much smaller per fire charge if it
was used within the township.
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Joint Fire Board Minutes - 1/4/89
Mr. Ted Holker also noted that he felt the Township would feel more comfortable
with the City being responsible for the cost of the new aerial ladder truck,
and in the future the Township being responsible for replacement of their
pumper or a new water truck if necessary. This was primarily because he felt
the township residents would be more agreeable to paying for a water truck
which is necessary within the township or the replacement of their own pumper
rather than contributing toward the cost of what they felt is really a City
fire truck. Although this idea was not discussed in detail, this arrangement
maybe could be a reasonable approach if the Township was serious about
replacing at their own cost a new tank truck, etc.
Finally, fire department members noted that the new aerial ladder truck should
be looked at as more than just a rescue vehicle, as the ladder portion is also
meant to be able to direct water from a higher elevation. The new truck is
still primarily a replacement pumper which was needed by the fire department.
Although no decisions were made on a firm recommendation to the Township Board,
it was noted that the city Administrator and representatives of the Fire Board
will attend the Township's Board meeting on January 17 to discuss with the full
Board options that are available.
Gilf.!e~
City Administrator
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