Attendance: |
|
| Mary Ellen LePage, President | Bob Bowman |
| Anita Holser, Secretary | Nelson O'Connor, Member at large |
| Walt Eastwood, Vice President | Ron Cross |
| Owen Gooding, Treasurer |
| The meeting was called to order at 12:30 pm at the LePage's. The minutes of the last minutes were read and approved. |
| Fund Raisers
Mary Ellen talked to Ormsby about their experiences with fund-raising dinners. They had netted around $1,500. This is similar to our experience with the Festivals. Mary Ellen didn't feel she had the time to work on it. Ron didn't think the amount of work involved was worth it. We decided to forego this idea. |
| Keys
Mary Ellen has talked to Steve about turning over responsibility for the keys to Bob Bowman or Nelson, since Steve is away from home so much of the time. He has not turned the keys over yet, so Bob will touch base with him again. |
| Gates
Nelson said that he had met with POST and Ed Rast to discuss automating the lower gate. They have an estimate of $8000 to upgrade the existing lower gate with an automatic opener that can be activated by keypad, remote control or phone code. The cost includes everything - trenching, adding the phone line, opener, keypad, etc. POST is willing to split the cost with us. The remotes would cost $25 each and are optional. Nelson thought this could be funded through voluntary donations. Mary Ellen said the same company was supposed to come up and estimate installing an automatic gate on Ron Lyon's property, but never showed up. All present agreed that this was a worthwhile project. Mary Ellen will try to get an estimate for the upper gate. |
| FEMA grant
All but $7800 from the FEMA grant has been used. The rest of the grant has been allocated to boots and heavy gear. Mary Ellen suggested that maybe we try to get the repairs to the new engine on the grant instead, since it has ended up being much more than expected. We voted unanimously to try making this change in the allocation of FEMA funds. Ron said that CDF turns away firefighters who do not have proper boots (or other gear). Mary Ellen will verify that all firefighters have adequate boots. |
| Trucks
Nelson said that he'd like to keep the red truck at the lower firehouse and get rid of one of the old green ones from the upper firehouse instead. Mary Ellen asked which green truck should be replaced. Ron said that both the new white trucks and green trucks are very similar to operate, but the red truck is quite different and requires additional training. Nelson said the red truck had four-wheel drive and can get to places the green trucks can't. He said that it needs a new starter and carburetor, which he is willing to buy and install. Bob made a motion to keep the red truck and get rid of #11. Mary Ellen suggested that we sell #11 and use the money to repair the red truck. The motion was amended to "sell green truck #11 and use the money to repair the red truck". Walt seconded the motion and it passes unanimously. Nelson asked Bob if he could hook up the solar chargers to the trucks at the lower firehouse so their batteries remain charged, and Bob agreed. Nelson said the trucks need to be cleaned and maintained regularly. Walt said we should get a hose coiler, which would make the trucks neater and be a real help to tired firefighters after a fire. Mary Ellen will add a hose coiler to next year's grant request. Walt mentioned that when he was looking around the new truck for instructions, he found them on the visor. |
| Firesafe Council
Mary Ellen has talked to the Firesafe council about firebreaks along Loma Chiquita Rd. They are ready to clear Loma Chiquita, but want signed permissions from the landowners, since it is a private road. They are putting together a form for landowners to sign, giving the Council permission to clear along the road through their property. |
| Misc
Mary Ellen said that Ed Rast had gotten the Water District grant request in on time. There was some concern expressed about the impact of involving the Water District in our projects, that they may interfere with and obstruct our work, and do not give the impression that they place individual or community safety high on their priority list. The resident at Casa Loma and Loma Chiquita who moved recently did not return their fire equipment. Mary Ellen was able to retrieve the pager, but the other equipment has apparently been stolen. The house was left vacant for some time before the new owners moved in. Some new Nomex gear was stolen. |
| The meeting adjourned at 1:45 pm. |
| Respectfully, |
| Anita Holser
Secretary |