PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FINAL SIGNATURES … The Florence Township Trustees and fiscal officer sign checks and finish up business discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting. From left Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn, Bert Brown, Donald Imm, and Mark Trausch.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
On Tuesday, April 7, the Florence Township Trustees held their regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. Trustees Bert Brown, Donald Imm and Mark Trausch were present, along with Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn, Fire Chief Allyn Luce, Paul Green and Dan Ankney.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance before the trustees moved into the agenda.
FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Fire Chief Luce opened with the March run report, noting 11 fire runs to date, putting the department on pace for roughly 84 by year’s end. Last year concluded with 73.
He then provided an update on fire engine maintenance, reporting that most work has been completed, with a few items still outstanding. The air-conditioning leak in Engine 41 remains under repair.
Electrical service has been finished, and the department received a recommendation for brake repairs on Engines 41 and 43 at a cost of $1,200 each.
Luce next asked Fiscal Officer Osborn whether the invoice for replacement key-fob batteries — needed due to the generator being out — had been received.
Osborn had not yet seen it and will follow up. In other purchasing updates, items have been acquired through the small county volunteer fire department grant, including helmets, shields and extrication gloves.
Osborn confirmed those invoices were received. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) has not yet opened.
TRAINING AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
A countywide electric-vehicle lithium-ion battery training class for first responders will be held Saturday, April 11, with training and lunch covered through a separate grant.
Luce announced the department will again host its chicken BBQ on Memorial Day and will continue with A Night at the Races fundraiser.
On April 28, the department will participate in career day at the school. Luce also noted he had been contacted regarding community service and expects to have projects available for volunteers.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Osborn distributed updated copies of the employee handbook, noting minor changes to the Credit Card Policy and holiday schedule.
Trustees may consider further revisions. Luce requested that the final revision date be noted on the document and will update signed copies from each firefighter.
Trausch clarified that the department will no longer host the truck pulls. Luce confirmed they will continue with A Night at the Races in lieu of that event.
The bleachers will be donated to the summer recreation program, with the understanding they remain community property if needed elsewhere. The blocks will be moved, except those around the tower.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Green reported on recent road work, much of it related to storm damage. When not moving or replacing high-water signs, he has been clearing debris from drainage areas. Sign stiffeners have been ordered to help prevent bending, sagging or wind damage.
Discussion then turned to dura patching, with Green asking where to concentrate efforts given the number of areas needing repair.
Trustees reviewed several locations. The township hopes to partner with County Engineer Todd Roth on chip-and-seal projects and agreed the best approach is to first tour all potential repair sites.
Brown asked about the tires the township recently accepted as donations. Two sets have received interest; the remaining sets will be offered at auction.
Green also reported that the county had asked whether Florence Township could assist Superior Township with berm-cutting operations to remove buildup along road edges.
Trustees agreed the township does not have the capacity to assist at this time.
Osborn asked Green to follow up on stone prices for summer road repairs. Before leaving, Green asked for an estimate of available funds for those projects. Trustees also discussed, but did not finalize, a date to pick up the recently purchased dump truck.
DUMP TRUCK PURCHASE
Osborn introduced a resolution to complete the purchase of a dump truck with a plow for $81,503. The current dump truck will be sold at a later date. The resolution passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Osborn then provided checks and reports to the trustees and noted that the audit will begin the following week.
She also highlighted items in the employee handbook for review, including the historically relaxed vacation and sick-leave policy.
Before adjourning, Osborn requested approval of the prior meeting minutes. The motion was made by Trausch and seconded by Imm, and the minutes were approved.
Trausch asked about the mowing contract discussed previously; Osborn is completing the contract and will contact the business not awarded the bid.
With all signatures obtained, Imm moved to adjourn. Trausch seconded, and the meeting concluded unanimously at 7:36 p.m.
The next meeting will be held Tuesday, April 21, at 6:00 p.m.
