Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board approved a request for encumbrance of funds for a new tanker. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Turkey Creek Township Board Monday, Dec. 11, approved a request to encumber $286,080 from its fire territory equipment replacement fund for a new vacuum tanker ordered in July.

“We expect to receive the tanker in late April or early May of 2018,” said Fire Chief Mickey Scott, noting “the price is locked in.” The bid was accepted and a contract was signed June 22.

“Final delivery can be expected within 300 calendar days after receipt and acceptance of the order,” according to a commitment letter from Fire Service Inc., who will conduct the pre-delivery inspection of the vehicle, equipment and detailing.

In the absence of Township Trustee Barb Griffith the board presented the township’s year-to-date budget.
November’s poor relief expenditures included:

• $75 for rent

• $2,110.99 for utilities

• $223.85 for food

The township spent $881.43 for personal and other services in November.

Scott reported:

• The fire department responded to 103 emergency calls in November, down from 110 the previous month. The department has responded to 1,260 calls so far in 2018. “That represents three to four calls a day,” said Scott.

• Department personnel underwent 299.5 hours of training.

• The Dec. 1 outdoor warning siren test confirmed all sirens were functioning correctly.

• Bids for fire station improvements will be received in 2018.

• The department’s annual awards banquet was held Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Eagles lodge in Syracuse.

The board voted to retain the same members for 2018 and re-elected Corky Wong to serve as the fifth member of the fire board.

Scott ended his report with a thank you and holiday solicitations.

“We would like to wish all board members and their families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year,” he said. “Again, we would like to say thank you to the members of the fire board, township board and Syracuse Town Council for their cooperation between each other and our department in 2017. We look forward to working with everyone in 2018.”

The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at Syracuse Town Hall.