Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, Timberline Fire District held their monthly board meeting online. In attendance were President Richard 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 old business and the Chief’s Report.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, there was a moment of silence for fallen firefighters and those serving abroad who are not able to be with their families at this time. 

Roll call was taken and all were present.

Then correspondence was discussed. Thanks was given from Gary Allen of Central City Fire Department to Timberline for their help with the funeral of Cody and Shelby Allen, fallen firefighters.

There was also a letter of concern from a resident about a Facebook post made by one of the board members. Wenzel responded with a lextter addressing the matter and the post has since been removed. 

November 18, December 7 and December 14 minutes were accepted and approved barring one clerical error.

The Treasurer’s Report included December 2020’s unaudited financials.

“We actually spent more than we thought we were going to spend, but we had a lot more income than we anticipated,” said Ondr.

There was no new business. 

Old business included a recommendation to continue the disaster declaration and all were in favor. 

Old business also included scheduling a workshop regarding district salaries for January 26 at 6 p.m. in person.

The Chief’s Report included call statistics and a Covid report. A Shift Lieutenant was sick with Covid but is now healthy and back. No new cases have been reported in the department. About 30 of Timberline’s responders have received the Moderna vaccine.

Sometime in December, the commissioners tabled their lease renewal in Rollinsville until the January 19 meeting. Ondr may not be able to attend in which case Smith or Wenzel will attend.  

Ondr stressed that Timberline needs to make progress towards acquiring a fire station in the southwest part of the district.

Soon there will be a joint effort between local fire districts to identify and install carbon monoxide detectors for anyone in need. 

Since November the district has received $2,500 in donations.

No public comment was made, and the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held publicly Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 6 p.m. and can be accessed via their website or by attending in person at Timberline Fire Station 5 located at 14908 Highway 119.

(Originally published in the January 14, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)