The Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) Board re-elected its current slate of officers for 2018 and set its meeting schedule for the year during its annual meeting on Jan. 16.
Kurt Koseck, the Sylvan Township representative on the board, will remain as chairman, while Craig Maier of Lima Township continues as vice chairman.
Peter Feeney, the City of Chelsea representative on the board, retained the treasurer’s post and Tom Osborne, the at large member on the board, will remain as the board secretary.
The CAFA board also unanimously agreed to continue meeting on the third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m. in the Chelsea City Council chambers.
During the regular meeting, Fire Chief Rob Arbini reported that CAFA responded to 1,414 calls in 2017, which was more than the previous year.
According to the December 2017 incident reports, CAFA responded to 61 calls in Chelsea, 55 calls in Lima Township, 14 calls in Lyndon Township, 34 calls in Sylvan Township and 11 calls in Dexter Township.
In addition, Arbini is working on grant funding applications for possible future vehicle purchases including a new engine. (CAFA sold its 1999 engine because of a cracked frame.) The federal grants, called Assistance to Firefighter’s Grants (AFG) have a Feb. 4 closing date for submissions. Arbini said there is about $300 million available, and those departments awarded grant funding will know by late April or early May.
CAFA is also expected to be included in a county-wide grant proposal for extrication equipment, and if the request is successful, will be responsible for 5 percent of the costs.
The CAFA board will meet on Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. in the Chelsea City Council chambers.
