Brandy Hale, Peak to Peak.  The Timberline Fire board met on Tuesday the 15th for the first time since the election the previous week. The meeting began with approval of the minutes of the last board meeting, with Chris Samuelson abstaining.

He and Dale Sternlight were then presented with awards and appreciation from the board for their service to TFPD before new board members Mike Carlson and Doug Lupo were administered the Oath of Office. They then nominated themselves to take board positions as Members at Large which was approved by the rest of the board, and were encouraged to make appointments with Secretary Jennifer Hinderman outside of the meeting to understand the financials and present questions.

As there was no new business, the new business issue of Gallagherization was discussed. President Chip Smith stated that this was the number one priority of the board over the next year or two. The issue of Gallagherization is complicated, having to do with how revenues are calculated from taxes by Gilpin County, and how that money is allotted to TFPD to buy and maintain equipment needed to fight fires. Due to the complicated nature of the issue, this topic will be covered in its own article at a later date for readers in an effort to make it comprehensible. It was decided at the meeting to have a workshop to understand the issue and move forward with efforts to tackle the problem.

Chief Paul Ondr then presented his report, starting with a thank you letter from a member of the community which is something they get occasionally and is a nice gesture for the efforts put forth by the firefighters. He stated that the Durangos ordered months ago were actually in the state and would be picked up later in the week. Also, $10,000 for wild land gear was donated by High Country Auxillary, and he made a point of expressing gratitude to HCA for that. Various repairs were needed to equipment, and one truck needed towed for repairs. The Jeep Liberty that has been used up and was one of the reasons for the purchase of the Durangos may be put on craigslist for sale, with an asking price of approximately $1500 as it doesn’t qualify for even ‘fair’ condition. Station 2 will need rock removal from behind the building where the they settle after falling down the slope, something that has to be done every 10 years or so. The Insurance Service Office re-evaluation of the rating of TFPD is expected to be in the form a letter coming in June or July, and 90 days after the letter, the new rating goes into effect which will apply to homes and the insurance companies covering them. The chief then proposed moving the meeting scheduled for the 11th to the 12th so that it doesn’t conflict with academy gradation on the 11th. Finally, he stated that he would be applying for the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant which is solely for wildland equipment and would be asking for the full $10,000 available.

There was no public comment, and the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting of the Timberline Fire Protection board is Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Station 5 (Taggert's).