Windham – The WVFD Joint Fire Board met for their regularly-scheduled meeting recently at the fire station. Chairman Dann Timmons called the meeting to order. The board approved the October minutes as presented, the October expenditures and the bank reconciliation.
Fire Chief Mike Iwanyckyj said the FEMA grant opened November 1, 2014 and will remain open until December 5, 2014. Mike reintroduces Jack Breese, who has been the grant writer for WVFD. Breese presented a contract to the board, for grant writing for the FEMA Grant. Breese also made a few suggestions on what the board should apply for with the grant. After some discussion, the WVFD Board agrees to have Breese write the grant and took his suggestions on what to apply the grant toward. The district has to identify specifically what it will be used on. Breese suggested using it for Scot Air Paks, fire hoses and thermal cameras.
The chief requested an executive session to discuss hiring and firing issues with personnel. After the executive session, the board decided to move David Belknap from active EMS to regular fire fighter, due to Belknap’s school schedule. The board discussed an application for basic EMT. In order to accept the applicant, the board had to waive their handbook rule of being on the department for six months. The board waived the rule and accepted the applicant as a basic EMT.
In new business, board member Deb Blewitt questioned the law on open burning and inquired what was being burned at Miller’s residence that required the fire departments assistance. The chief stated that in the Ohio Revised Code, there is no open burn policy in Ohio, however, if it is brush on their property the home owner still needs to apply for a permit. The chief will address the issue with the home owner.
In old business, the board returned to executive session to discuss the alleged breach of contract on the dispatching issue. After the executive session, the board appointed Jim Moore and Dann Timmons to represent the WFVD’s interest in negotiating the dispatching dispute with the village. One board member voiced some concerns over the appointment, but the motion carried.
The WVFD Joint Fire District Board meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the fire station. The meetings are opened to the public.
