PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TOWNSHIP TRUCK … Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn and Trustee Brown discuss the possible purchase of a dual purpose dump and snow plow truck.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Florence Township trustees held their meeting on Tuesday, February 17. Members Bert Brown and Mark Trausch were in attendance as well as Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn. Trustee Don Imm was absent. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
First on the agenda was Florence Township Fire Chief Allyn Luce. Luce started with news of a $2,400 reimbursement from a training grant.
Next was an update on progress toward funding for a new fire engine. All the information has been prepared for the AFG, Assistance to Firefighters, federal grant. SAM registration was completed by Osborn.
SAM (System for Award Management) registration is a mandatory and free annual requirement for businesses, non-profits, and organizations to do business with the U.S. federal government. It is primarily used to bid on contracts, apply for federal grants and assistance, and receive payments.
Luce warned the grant may be open for a little longer as it is administered through the Department of Homeland Security, which Luce noted is currently facing uncertainty at the federal level.
Luce noted an article detailing Bryan Fire Department’s new engine, which can be used for rescue. This is exactly what the grant would be used for. The engine cost was around $1 million and the grant caps at $1 million.
The truck rough design was quoted at $1.4 million with customizations, which would exceed the grant. Luce explained at that time a plan would need to be decided on how to make up the difference. Bryan Fire Department was able to purchase a stock, in-production truck with fewer options than the custom-designed one quoted.
Luce provided an update on an extra hose, noting they have identified a nearby fire department in Michigan that would be interested in purchasing it. Luce stated it was a good way to pay it forward. The current rate is $20 to $30 per nine-foot section on Gov Deals, which would total $180 with fees.
Next week on Wednesday, February 25, Luce and Dan Ankney will be meeting with the ISO representative. Luce provided contact information for the head of each government entity.
Luce shared quotes from McMahon Best One Tire in Bryan for Truck 45. The quote included 10-ply and 12-ply options. This quote came in lower, at $1,275.24, than the previous quote. The total includes installation, balance, and tire valve TPMS service kit.
Luce finished by noting water rescue training taking place that evening. He explained it was ideal conditions as it would be dark, and with the recent warm-up the ice is unstable. These are the conditions most likely to result in people falling through ice.
The next topic of discussion was street repairs, especially near the state line. Repairs will need to wait until the weather warms consistently.
Along with street repairs, a new dump truck purchase was discussed. The first purchase option unfortunately fell through. The second option is approximately $82,000 and is around ten years old.
Osborn felt more comfortable with this option, already discussing the finance option of a five-year loan. The financial institution assured they would be willing to work with the township on payment frequency options.
Osborn explained she would probably use the capital projects funds, currently at approximately $4,000, for a down payment. In turn, a future truck sale would go into that fund.
Trausch made a motion to make an offer on the proposed dump truck if it is deemed acceptable. Brown seconded the motion, and being the only two trustees present, the motion carried.
The dump truck in question also has half the miles of the original planned purchase. Trausch provided figures for a new truck around $220,000.
The truck is located at a dedicated dump truck and snow plow lot. The company builds this equipment and replaces it every ten years. Another positive is this is not a bid-type site, making the pricing more upfront.
Brown questioned the budget regarding the truck purchase. Osborn does not plan on any loan money being paid this year and also will not be using levy money. Those funds will be strictly used for road work.
Osborn then presented a new contract with EVAPAR, a full-service provider of Power Products. Reading from the letter, the contract expired in June but was overlooked due to staffing at EVAPAR.
The past contract was for two yearly visits. EVAPAR only provided one visit, so they would be refunding the township $300.
The new contract option would be for one yearly visit at $690, reduced to $360 due to the credit, or a twice-yearly visit of $1,050, reduced to $750. The trustees agreed to the one-year contract.
Up next was approval of the meeting minutes, which Trausch moved to approve. Brown seconded, and the motion carried.
The last item was a motion for adjournment, made by Trausch and seconded by Brown. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. with the next meeting on Tuesday, March 2.
Update: Florence Township Trustees Review Fire Updates, Road Work Plans & Levy Details