LWVSJ Observer Corps: SJI Fire District, January 9, 2023

During public access a citizen said two executive sessions scheduled for the day followed state law and expressed the hope that the Commission would continue to use such sessions only as legally mandated.

The Commissioners asked the deputy chief to explore renegotiating leases for remote substations.

Returning from the executive sessions, the Commission reported back that in the matter of a complaint brought against a public official, no action was taken, but that the matter is being monitored and is in the process of being resolved.

In the matter of evaluating the qualifications for an applicant for public employment, the commission reported that it had received ten applications for the position of Chief.  The commissioners reviewed all the applications and will move forward to negotiate a contract with Deputy Chief Noel Monin, but wanted to first develop a draft contract that meets the needs of the Fire District. The Commission set a special meeting for Wednesday January 17 at 1:00 to work on a draft contract.

Deputy Chief Monin reported that 2023 was nearly closed out and a complete accounting for 2023 would be available in February. The ending balances as of 12/31/2023 totaled $706k.

The fireboat is fully equipped, and the duty officer schedule is being set so that there is always a qualified boat operator available as a duty officer. The application to get a surplus engine from the state Department of Natural Resources was denied as the available engines went to higher priority jurisdictions, but the department was encouraged to continue applying in the future, The aid license renewal is coming up.

Monin informed the commissioners that he is working on a Mutual Aid and Interlocal Agreement with EMS chief Butler.

In a discussion of training for commissioners, they noted that the annual fire commissioners conference would be in the Fall. They had a brief discussion of putting a levy on the ballot this year. Deputy Chief Monin recommended that they form a budget committee with one commissioner, a couple of staff, and possibly public members to review and revise the budget and to help inform the urgency and/or timing of a new levy.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.