Etna Township Fire Chief Randall Byrer, center, received the title for Milford Fire Department’s 2001 International pumper truck at the April 26 meeting of Van Buren Township Advisory Board. Etna Township paid $28,500 for the truck. At left is Van Buren Trustee Becky Alles; at right is Milford Assistant Fire Chief Steve Farber. According to Farber, Milford’s new pumper is in service and has been on several runs. Photo by David Hazledine.

Staff Report

MILFORD — Etna Township Fire Chief Randall Byrer visited the April 26 meeting of the Van Buren Township Advisory Board, where the board approved the sale of Milford Volunteer Fire Department’s 2001 International pumper truck to Etna Township for $28,500.

On hand were members of Milford Fire Department, including Assistant Chief Steve Farber, who said Milford’s new truck, a 2022 Freightliner purchased by Van Buren Township for $412,760 from Hoosier Fire, was in service and has already been on several runs.

The $28,500 will go into the township cumulative fire fund.

Also on hand was Diane Perry, who plans to run for Van Buren Township Trustee Becky Alles’ office and has been accompanying Alles to meetings and training. Alles requested the board consider her (Alles) as trustee designee for the 2023 budget so she could continue to assist Perry. A vote will be made at the June meeting after Alles’ remuneration is decided.

Alles reported purchasing a new computer in March for $869 and expending $480 in repairs and maintenance. The old computer was six years old and had a malfunctioning hard drive.

Alles also reported distributing $135 of township assistance in February for gas, water and sewer bills. In March assistance jumped to $986.69, which included NIPSCO assistance for a senior citizen on fixed income, $600 in rent for three entities and $200 in water and sewer bills.

In March the township also paid $7,000 for new pagers for Milford Fire Department. Milford Town Council and Jefferson Township also paid $7,000.

The next meeting of Van Buren Township Advisory Board is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 14.