On June 22, 2022, the Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) Board of Directors discussed at their scheduled meeting updates to the roof, the garage door, and the phone system at the Nederland Fire Department Station 1. The garage door repairs came in $400 cheaper than estimated. The department opted to contract with Boulder Phone Systems and paid a 50% deposit for services.

The Board discussed a moose attack that resulted in two injured people, one dead mother moose, and the calf being transferred to a wildlife facility. The NFPD Board noted a small grass fire recently occurring at West Magnolia campgrounds. The Board also expressed hope that the foundation for a new “Burn Building,” a structure that is intentionally ignited for training purposes, will be poured before winter.

The Board also discussed ballot language concerning the question of a mill levy increase for the Fire District on the November 8 ballot.

On July 13, the Board held a special meeting in order to approve Resolution 2022-06, which grants certain financial management powers to NFPD Treasurer Todd Wieseler and consultant Stephanie Cooke. The resolution was approved unanimously.

On July 20, the Chief’s Report stated that the roof repair company Signature Services had to return to seal trouble spots that were continuing to leak. A garage door opener had broken and was replaced for $1200. The Chief’s Report also mentioned that NFPD had received district boundary signage from CDOT and that Boulder County and the Forest Service had put up new fire ban signage.

Also within the Chief’s Report it was noted that Chief Scott and others from the NFPD read books to local kids at the Nederland Community Library.

The Fire Marshal’s Report from the Board’s July 20 meeting presented updates to the current initiative to ban the sale of firewood during a fire ban. The sale of firewood cannot be legally banned; however, after working with local firewood suppliers to insert warning fliers in bundles, along with posting fliers at Ace Hardware and B&F, there has been an observed reduction in fires in the West Magnolia area.

The Fire Marshal’s Report also stated a permanent fire ban for short-term rentals as a potential future project. With neighbors of VRBO and AirBnB vacation rentals raising concerns of unattended fires, the NFPD has been discussing with Nederland Town staff the options of allowing fires by permit or inspection only, with “enforcement” and “management” listed as the major challenges of such a project.

The NFPD Board also discussed the success of both the Town Clean-Up and Fourth of July events, and made preparations for future events such as the Ned Jazz & Wine Fest and the National Night Out, organized by the Nederland Fire District Auxiliary.

Due to technical difficulties, the July 20 meeting was cut short and was later continued on July 27, during which the NFPD Board continued their discussion on the ballot language for the November 8 election, as well as examining the results from mailers surveying the public on the proposed mill levy increase.

On August 17 the NFPD Board heard a presentation from Dylana Gross, who works with NFPD consultant Cooke and with Public Trust Advisors, on the advantages of investing money with ColoTrust, a local government investment pool established in 1985. The Board unanimously approved a motion to allow Cooke to continue working with Gross on behalf of the NFPD to gather more information regarding ColoTrust. They also approved a motion to allow Cooke to explore alternative banking options.

Within the Chief’s Report, the NFPD Board recognized and gave special thanks to Jim Harrison for 20 years of service. Chief Scott completed work on a Disaster Plan for the town of Nederland and was requested to write one for Eldora as well, to which Chief Scott noted that the entire district needs a disaster plan.

The Chief’s Report also noted the success of the National Night Out, which was a community meet-and-greet event held on August 2, organized by the Nederland Fire District Auxiliary. The Chief’s Report included an update on volunteer recruitment efforts, detailing that five candidates had completed the interview process and were to begin their training on September 18.

Under “Old Business” during their August 16 meeting, the Board continued to discuss the proposed mill levy increase, with the results of the public survey showing 80% to 90% of the 63 responses in support of a three-phase levy increase. However, under “New Business” the Board discussed the Town of Nederland’s questions on three other, separate tax increases (sales tax, occupational tax, and special retail marijuana sales tax) planned to be on the same November 8 ballot as the Fire Districts mill levy increase.

On September 21, the Board continued their discussion on the draft ballot language for the proposed mill levy increase, as well as addressing the timeline for drafting, discussing, and finalizing the NFPD 2023 budget.

The Chief’s Report gave a special shout-out and thanks to Patrick Richardson for his dedication and work in officer development for Nederland Fire. The report noted the success of the Nederland Fire appreciation BBQ and thanked Jess McElvain and her family for their hospitality. Also noted was the success of the Wild Bear Nature Center’s pop-up art show, which aided as a fundraising opportunity for the Nederland Fire Department. Chief Scott and the NFPD Board thanked Nederland Fire District Auxiliary for their involvement with the event.

The Fire Marshal’s Report for September 21 provided the Board with an update on implementing fire safety requirements to short-term rentals (STR). The Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) at that time was awaiting the inauguration of a new mayor before bringing the subject of STRs onto their agenda. The Fire Marshal’s Report also noted the successes of several events, including the Ned*Ned race, NHS Homecoming, and the Farmer’s Market.

On September 21, the NFPD Board of Directors approved Resolution 2022-09, opting to invest money with ColoTrust. On October 19 the NFPD received its first interest statement from ColoTrust, showing $809.31 earned in interest since moving the bulk of NFPD savings into that account.

Also at that October 19 meeting the Board declined to participate in the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. The program provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid leave for employees, funded through payroll premiums of 0.45% paid by both the employee and employer. Though the NFPD declined to participate as an organization, they also proposed to assist those employees who may wish to participate in the FAMLI program.

The NFPD Board also voted to approve allowing in-person attendance to NFPD Board meetings, while also maintaining the option of attending online. The Board also had one last discussion about the proposed mill levy increase on the November 8 ballot, and continued drafting and analyzing their 2023 budget.

Chief Scott’s report for October 19 noted that the foundation for the Burn Building has been marked and that Nederland Town Works is willing to do the excavation, though upcoming snow will shut down the project before digging can begin.

On November 8, Nederland Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 6A was approved by the Nederland electorate: “Shall Nederland Fire Protection Taxes be increased by up to $250,000 annually and in each year thereafter by whatever additional amounts are raised from a phased-in operating mill levy imposed at a rate of 1 mill in 2022, an additional 1 mill in 2023, and an additional 1 mill in 2024, and continuing thereafter as provided by law?”

The revenue from the increase will fund vehicle maintenance and replacement as well as facility maintenance and construction for the NFPD.

On November 16, the Board continued discussion of their 2023 budget, as well as discussing a potential 20-year vehicle replacement plan. The Chief’s Report mentioned Fire Station 1 receiving a visit from kids and teachers from the New Explorer Pre-School and Nederland Elementary. Chief Scott noted that he is close to finishing writing Eldora’s All-Hazards disaster plan. He also noted that ground had been broken on the Burn Building.

Chief Scott also wrote in his report, “The fall 2023 recruit academy is continuing to run strong and still has all its original members!” The recruit academy’s final day was on November 12.

On December 14, the NFPD Board voted to approve Resolution 2022-12, adopting their finalized 2023 budget. The Board also voted to approve Resolution 2022-13, certifying the mill levies which were approved by voters in the November 8 election.

The Chief’s Report detailed how the NFPD has moved forward with a Regional Assisted Firefighters Grant. This was written by Firehouse Grants LLC, and features ten other departments taking part of the regional grant, including Nederland, Timberline, Sugarloaf, and Coal Creek Fire. The grant will pay for radios and other communication equipment.

Chief Scott and the NFPD also congratulated Jordan Reichers, John Mountain, Chris Lynch, and Tara Sergo, who all graduated from the recruit academy and passed their district testing. The probationary firefighters are now actively running calls in the district.

The Nederland Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets the third Wednesday of every month and can now be attended in person or online on Microsoft Teams. Their next meeting is scheduled for January 18, 2023, at 7 p.m. For more information go to: https://www.nfpd.org.

The current membership of the NFPD Board is: Iain Irwin-Powell, President; Guy Falsetti, Vice President; Todd Wieseler, Treasurer; Russ Panneton, Director; Jessica McElvain, Director; Mike Scott, Chief.