At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting online and in- person. In attendance were President Rick Wenzel, Treasurer Whitney Donoghue and Members-At-Large Chip Smith, Jeff Fisher and John Bushey. Others present included Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Secretary Jennifer Hinderman. Highlights included approval of minutes, acceptance of financials and the Chief’s Report.

The Pledge of Allegiance was performed and a moment of silence held for fallen firefighters. Roll Call revealed all were present. There were no changes to the agenda. The regular meeting minutes of July 12, 2021 were approved. No public comment was made.

The July 2021 Treasurer’s Report of Unaudited Financials was presented. There were no questions.

Chief Ondr presented the monthly Chief Report. In Operations news, the department responded to 53 calls in the month of July.

Funds were received last Friday for the trade-ins of Engines 51 and 54 and there is only one apparatus left to hose test.

TFPD completed a successful search of Fairburn Mountain with a recovery the following day accompanied by OEM (Office of Emergency Management) and GCART (Gilpin County Animal Rescue Team).

Rollinsville Community Chipping Day is August 21, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and Timberline will be running the chipper.

In Wildland news, TFPD has nothing deployed or listed at the moment due to a lack of an Engine Boss and some mechanical issues. So far, the department has been paid for two deployments; reimbursements are streamlined and a bit faster this season.

The wildland fire danger here is still moderate though it appears the area is in a drying trend.

Stage One Fire ban was rescinded at noon for both Boulder and Gilpin counties, though Grand County is still under Stage Two Fire Restrictions. Fire restrictions are lifted but things like exploding targets, tracer bullets and fireworks are never allowed on National Forest System lands.

In administrative news, the summer picnic held on July 17 at Columbine Park in Dory Lakes was a huge success!

Ondr and others are tentatively traveling to Canada for a new apparatus prebuild conference on September 8.

Staff had their first meeting regarding next year’s budget. Preliminary values for 2022 taxes should be received by the end of the month.

On September 18 at Station 1 on Magnolia Road, there will be an open house and a retirement party for Assistant Chief Galen Keopke and Lt. John Carder.

TFPD celebrated their busiest year giving out truck and UTV rides at the Gilpin County Fair and were a hit! The community was thankful for their service.

There was no public comment and the meeting adjourned.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be publicly and virtually held Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 6 p.m. and can be accessed via their website under the “Board of Directors” tab or by attending at Station 5, 14908 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422.