Jim Smith looks over the request from Jamie Beer and the Youth League while Jim Rhodes and Chris Francis look over the area covered by the request on a map. The Youth League asked for assistance cleaning up trees, stumps and brush around the baseball fields. Photo by Nicholette Carlson.

By Nicholette Carlson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Tippecanoe Township Advisory Board approved further discussed properties where a second fire station could be built and the purchase of fire equipment at its Wednesday, June 10, meeting.

A new potential property to house a possible second fire station was discussed by Roger Bassett. One property is located at East 500N and North 750E. While the township had originally only discussed needing five acres for a new location, talks of purchasing the full 43.5 acres is also being discussed.

Bassett mentioned if the township were to purchase more acreage on this property, currently owned by Roger Bowser and Margaret Oswalt, it could help provide extra income with the potential sale of acreage to the owner of Pine Bay mobile home park and receiving income from a cell tower on the property. It could also act as a possible helicopter landing zone. There has been discussion around a Poik property to house a new fire station as well.

Next steps are to find out how serious the owners may be about selling the property and the cost.

Assistant Fire Chief Dave Rensberger received permission from the board for the purchase of hose and four sets of fire gear that will take six months to receive. He stated the fire gear cost is approximately $3,500 per set and $6,185 for 20 sections of 2.5-inch hose. He also received approval to purchase four sets of boots since they are starting to wear out. Those will be received right away. Boots were priced at approximately $350 a pair.

Rensberger provided quotes for a tanker lighting system at approximately $15,000 and Genesis extrication tools at approximately $35,000. Another item the fire department is gathering quotes for are power lift cots at approximately $53,000 for two. The board suggested Rensberger research potential grants for the cots.

Chris Francis, township trustee, read a request from Jamie Beer and the youth league for assistance with funds to clean some brush, trees and stumps around the baseball field. The total cost was quoted as $750. The board approved to use recreation funds to pay $375.

While the cleaning position has been filled, Francis suggested hiring a man from the Cardinal Center to clean around the building approximately two hours a week. The hiring of this additional cleaning position was approved.

The township will receive $3,373.02 in reimbursement from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. These funds can be used to reimburse payroll and money spent on supplies.

The budget is looking good, according to Francis. He mentioned the ambulance could be paid off now. However, Francis suggested splitting the payments into two — one this month and one in December so they are not overwhelmed in upcoming months by unexpected expenses. The board approved to split it into two payments.

A weed sprayer is needed for the gravel lanes in the cemeteries. Ed Clayton, board member, stated he had a 5 gallon backpack that could be used. The fence at Oak Grove Cemetery also needs cleaning and Francis plans to get a quote for that. Otherwise local cemeteries are looking good.

For the month of April, Rensberger reported there were 51 EMS calls, 20 fire calls and none in Noble County. For May, there were 70 EMS calls, 12 fire calls and he did not have numbers for any in Noble County.

An updated fire department employee handbook will also be ready to present to the board in July.