Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board Meeting, September 15, 2016

Notes by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Meeting is Thursday, October 20, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

The meeting was called to order by President Rich Lopez. Attending were Bobby Vrba, Paul Garabedian, Rick Geesaman, Chief Chris Finn and community member Gretchen Diefenderfer. Boyd Brown was excused.

Minutes – Rich hasn’t finished preparing last month’s minutes, but will get them out before October’s meeting.

Chief’s Report – Chris reported that the Fire Ban had been rescinded.

     Calls – There have just been essentially non-calls – after being toned out, we weren’t needed. A person of interest ran off into the woods, and the Sheriff’s Department handled the call. There was a medical call during the bicycle race, but we weren’t called. We were called only to handle traffic in Lefthand, and there was a BMW overturned in a ditch, but we were not needed.

     New Truck – He and Bobby have been looking at a 1999 International from Lefthand, with only 10,000 miles on it. It needs a few repairs – the radiator and a leaky drain plug will be replaced, but it is 4WD and fits our other requirements.a Chris strongly suggested by buy this truck. It was custom made for Chief Nyquist, is a diesel, has been tested going up and down Lickskillet.   It barely fits in the bay, but will work. The cost is $90,000 and it’s in the budget. The board voted unanimously to go ahead with the purchase.

Other Business

            Lefthand Dry Hydrants and Plan – Rich gave a long report on long-running negotiations with the County, and it looks like they will go through, with help from the Road Department working in Lefthand. Dave Steinmann helped with the Engineering requirements, ran the computer models and filled out the 404 permit. (ADDENDUM, two hydrants have been installed and the third is staged at the bottom of Lickskillet, to be installed as the bridge work is completed.) Everyone congratulated Rich for his perseverance in seeing this through.

Cisterns Update and plan – Rick reported that, with fracking slowing down, there are used 20,000 gal. water tanks, available for much less than we’d expected. There are several options being considered – possibly working Mike Walker at the Ranch and fixing up the old, cracked pool, which could be a win for everyone, or possibly going back to the old town meadow plan. Rick will continue looking into ideas with the hope of finalizing a plan and getting this project accomplished next summer.

It was decided to work on the Pension Plan and next year’s budget at the next meeting, and the meeting was adjourned.