Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting online and via phone dial-in. 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 a Smith Hill Station Update and Chief’s Report.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said 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 April 13, 2021, were approved. No public comment was made.

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

New business included the Smith Hill Station Update which concerns a piece of land at 2236 Smith Hill Road and two bay fire station that was donated in 1978 by a couple that has since passed. The location, poor road, lack of volunteer base, small bays, and security issues make using the facility unrealistic.The last portion of the original deed maintains that it returns to the family if not being used for fire district purposes.

Ondr forwarded all the legal responses to the board, seeking an answer on whether or not to sell it or return it to the owners. There are no restrictions on what they can do with the profits from the sale.

Smith is in favor of Chief Ondr’s suggestion to sell the property for fair market value with no restrictions. 

If TFPD sells it, they will give first right of refusal to the descendants of the owners. All were in favor of selling the property and they will seek a realtor for the sale. 

There were no changes in director positions.

The Disaster Declaration was continued. The Chief’s Report followed, presented by Chief Ondr.

TFPD responded to 48 calls in April. The Covid Update included current directives, meaning fabric masks on all calls and N95 or P100 masks on all medical calls when closer than 20 feet to the patient. They continue to reevaluate policies to limit exposure if someone becomes sick. They currently do not have anyone out or in quarantine.

They currently have adequate supplies of PPE with small amounts in reserve. Gilpin County has additional reserves, if needed.

They are providing the support staff for the vaccine clinics, providing three to four members for each clinic. They are doing paperwork, directing people, assisting people to the site, etc. If the member chooses to be paid they will be paid by TFPD and TFPD will be reimbursed through OEM via federal Covid funding.

The 800 radio transition is going well. There has been a significant learning curve.

In Wildland news, in-house 130/190 (basic wildland firefighter training) will be complete next weekend after the overnight field day. This was a 40-hour class put on by their instructors. The class also had attendees from Golden Gate and Central City Fire.

They plan to list Tender 57 available on May 31st and a brush truck available late May.

In administrative news, the summer picnic has been scheduled for July 17th. It will be held at Columbine Park in Dory Lakes at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited and welcome to bring friends and family.

They continue to get lots of building and driveway pans for review. They are also in the process of working through a commercial permit for expansion of a storage facility in Rollinsville. This may open the conversation for repairing the cistern in the area.

They are on track to complete 100% of our commercial building inspections this year, which has not been done since 2012.

Chief Ondr was hoping to have information on truck replacement for this meeting, but is still waiting for additional information.

There was no public comment and the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

The next regular board meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be publicly and virtually held Tuesday, June 16, 2021, at 6 p.m. and can be accessed via their website under the “Board of Directors” tab.

(Originally published in the May 13, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)