Turkey Creek Township Trustee Barb Griffith presented a combined statement of the township’s cash and investments at Monday’s advisory board meeting.

The report indicated a $3,333,217 cash and investment balance at the end of 2014.

The township’s finances are divided into six state-mandated funds:

• The fire territory equipment fund represented more than half the township’s total finances, logging an ending balance of $1,754,486.

• The territory also maintains a general fund, which grew more than $100,000 in 2014 to end with an $860,421 balance.

• The smallest fund, parks and recreation, registered a $9,692 balance, an increase of more than $2,600 during the year.

• The township posted no receipts to the rainy day fund in 2014, but still maintains a balance of $94,460.

• The township fund also grew, with $17,700 more in receipts than disbursements. The fund ended the year with a $359,232 balance.

• The township assistance fund also remained healthy, with $83,892 coming in and $58,294 going out, with a resulting balance of $254,924 to start this year.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported the year-to-date fire territory budget expenditures are well in line with anticipated outlays, noting only 9 percent of budget funds have been expended with nearly 17 percent of the year elapsed.

Office supply expenditures are temporarily over the prorated budget because the department needed to purchase a new printer.

Scott also talked about the phenomenon of trains regularly bringing hazardous material shipments through the township on their way to other destinations. He noted the department keeps abreast of the shipments and its firefighters regularly train for hazardous spill response.

The township has contracted to use the Elkhart City Hazmat team to assist in any such disasters. “They are the closest, and they are good,” said Scott, noting the next nearest Hazmat team is from Clay Township in the Granger area.

In other business, Scott reported:

• The fire department is purchasing commercial grade exercise equipment for the fitness room at Fire Station 1 and exercise area at Station 2.

• Five department members were recently certified as fire instructors, bringing the total to 10.

• Previously approved diagnostic software for department apparatus was recently purchased and has already been put to use to save repair costs on Truck 1.

• Aerial and ground ladders are due for annual testing next month as required by the department’s insurance company.

• The department is acquiring a new backup generator service provider to replace the company which ceased operations at the end of last year.

The board next meets at 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Syracuse Town Hall.