St. Michaels Fire Dept. Inc.
Oxford Fire Co., Inc.
Cordova Vol. Firemen’s Assoc., Inc. / / Trappe Vol. Fire Co. Inc.
Queen Anne-Hillsboro Vol. Fire Co., Inc.
Tilghman Vol. Fire Co., Inc.
605 Port Street, Easton, MD 21601
Secretary Minutes for Long Range Planning Meeting March 30th, 2017
Called to Order at 19:04
Roll Call of Officers & Representatives: Present-President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
20 Pres here, Treas here, Chief absent;
30 Pres absent, Treas absent, Chief present;
40 Pres absent, Treas absent, Chief absent;
50 Pres present, Treas absent, Chief absent; Delegate present
60 Pres present, Treas absent, Chief absent;
70 Pres absent, Treas absent, Chief here;
80 Pres present, Treas absent, Chief absent.
Guest: Angela Lane, County Funding
County wants to figure out what costs of fire service will be in next 5 years. Can’t add insurance tax to cover because of way tax cap was written. Members of Tax Payers Assoc. are aware of situation. The County wants to put a referendum on the ballot and Tax Payer Assoc, will do all they can to educate public as well as advertise. Will need all costs to help educate the public and to let them know we are volunteers who depend on an allotment from County. People will be amazed at costs. There is no fund to cover public safety. Hope the 5 year need plan will show residents why it is necessary to increase tax level. Pagers may be at top of list since they cost so much and all companies were assured pagers would work with new radio system but there are problems. A lot of companies have been buying so many new pagers a year but could not afford to replace all pagers.
We have been told all grants are on hold, so that revenue stream is dried up. Clay had brought up that maybe County could start a fund we could borrow against but the cost of that would be astronomical.
Need to prepare a 5 year spreadsheet per company that would include all operational and equipment needs plus list all equipment with age, cost and replacement plan. A template will be sent out so all companies look the same. Include any costs for Workman’s comp. This needs to either be mailed or emailed to John Hanes by April 24th.
Jamie wants all companies to bring to meeting in Cordova on 4/12 number of pagers and cost of pagers.
Adjourned at 19:34
Respectfully submitted
Connie S. Greenhawk
By Secretary Connie Greenhawk.