SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board Monday, Dec. 10, approved Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s two requests to encumber funds for the 2019 fiscal budget.

The first encumbrance entailed $13,000 from the dues and a training line item. That amount was transferred to next year’s budget to help cover the costs of up to three firefighters completing paramedic training. Tuition for each is $7,000. Training will begin in April and run through December 2020.

The board also approved holding over $220,000 from the equipment replacement fund in what board member Bill Dixon described as a “planned encumbrance.” The funds will be used for current renovations to the township’s two fire stations.

Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott presents his monthly report as township attorney Andrew Grossnickle looks on. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

At the end of the meeting, Township Trustee Barb Griffith, who is retiring the end of this year after “about 15 years” in the position, bid her goodbye to the board and fire department.

“I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed being the trustee and working with you people,” she told the board. She also thanked the fire board and praised Scott for an excellent job serving the community.

“I don’t think I have ever worked with a bunch of people so consistently determined to do what is best for the community,” she said. “It really was my pleasure to serve.”

Fire Board

Scott presented his monthly report:

• The department responded to 15 fire calls and 84 EMS calls in November.

• Department personnel underwent 190 hours of training during the month on subjects including disaster preplanning, vehicle operational checks, tool maintenance, near drowning patient assessment and management, chest trauma and suicide prevention.

• Firefighters Brandtt Allen and Gregory Scott completed a paramedic program and are currently testing for their EMT paramedic certification.

• On full-time staffer resigned and a probationary firefighter/EMT has been hired to fill an open position. Another applicant is scheduled to begin full-time employment Jan. 1.

• Construction meetings between department officials and contractors have been scheduled the second Monday of each month to discuss updates of the fire station renovations.

• The recently replaced 1999 tanker was auctioned Dec. 1. The $10,000 proceeds will be placed in the equipment replacement fund.

• The monthly outdoor warning siren test for November was not conducted. “We were advised when the sirens were installed that attempting to test them in below freezing conditions could result in extensive damage to the siren due to the possibility of ice buildup between the plates the siren rotates on,” said Scott.

Scott requested a $4,850 appropriation to replace the department’s two cooking ranges. The amount included shipping. The board unanimously approved the request.

Township Board

Griffith presented her monthly financial report. She reported her office in November disbursed poor relief in the following amounts:

• $1,575 for rent

• $3,564.15 for utilities

• $992.45 for food

She also cited $10,657.55 for “other services,” including an $8,100 annual payment to Denise Wiggs for maintaining the township’s six cemeteries.

The board appointed Dennis Darr and John Heckaman as representatives to the fire board and recommended Corky Wong as the fire board’s independent member. Heckaman was appointed chairman of the fire board for 2019.

The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.