Posted on: December 1st, 2012

Notes  on the Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board Meeting, 11-15-12

By Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next meeting, Monday, December 3, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

Present were board members Donal Maloney, President, Dave Sturtz, Secretary, Rick Geesaman, Chief Chris Finn, and community members Bobbie Vrba and Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Donal announced that they need to appoint a new board member within 60 days of Adriana’s resignation so they will need to meet early in December – they decided on Dec. 3.  They will publish and post notices as required.  The budget has to be in by the 15^th, so if anything further needs to be done, they can take care of that, too.  Dave moved they meet on the 3^rd, Rick seconded, and it passed.

Chris presented the budget and reported that the big balance of $60,000 in the income section of the budget would be moved from the bank account to the budget to hopefully purchase a new/used fire truck, plus another $5,000 to meet the required match for the SCBA grant.  We are getting there on the age of the trucks and Chris has been looking for another quick attack truck, which would carry enough water and have a 500 gpm pump, to be quick enough and small enough to get into places like Gretchen’s house (!).  We have to budget any money we intend to spend, or we’re not allowed to spend it without submitting a new budget per rules & regs.

Donal brought up the retirement fund and the board expressed interest in beginning to look at what’s required in January 2013. It’s a good deal – the state matches any money we put in.   The new board took charge in May and Donal wants to see it working toward strategic planning for a few years out.

Chris said there is quite a bit of work needed on the barn to think about.  Gretchen brought up that the Town Meeting voted to repaint the floor of the Community Center (which Michael Albes painted in the early 70s and hasn’t been done since), if that’s ok with the board.  The board requested that the GHTM bring a proposal for approval

Donal brought up the idea of a dry hydrant down in Lefthand Creek near Rowena to provide a water supply down there.  The board voted to budget an additional $5,000 from the bank account for this project.

They then went over the amounts in the various categories.  The budget resolution requires 2 signatures.  Chris will print up the amended budget, get the signatures, and submit it to the County Commissioners

He explained that we have 2 mill levies: one is the general operating fund which is subject to Tabor and so ratcheted down with the decreased valuation after the fire, and the other is a special fund which did not.  The CPA works out the exact figures and submits the required budget to the State.

Rick moved that they adopt the budget and it passed 3-0.

With that, the meeting adjourned.