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Chelsea Area Fire Authority plans mini pumper purchase

Chelsea Area Fire Authority Chief Robert Arbini told the CAFA Board that he has applied for one Assistance to Firefighters grant (AFG) and is working on a second grant application.

The first grant, he said, has about $300 million available and if awarded would be used for vehicle purchase. The second grant has about $30 million earmarked for funding of safety and research and development projects.

If awarded the second grant, he said he hopes that Chelsea can purchase tablets and software that would allow firefighters to have records on these devices of each business and where fire firefighters would find gas shut off values, knox boxes and other important information needed if called to a building in case of emergency.

If awarded either of these grants, CAFA would need to provide a 5-percent match.

Following a lengthy discussion of the bid process, the CAFA board voted 4-1 with Chairman Kurt Kosek voting no, to enter into a purchase agreement to purchase a mini pumper from Pierce Manufacturing utilizing the Michigan Inter-governmental Trade Network (MITN). Similar to the Michigan Bid system, participating local government purchasing departments invite vendors to register for exclusive access to RFPs, bids and awards on the bid system.

It’s expected that this mini pumper will cost about $238,000 and how CAFA will pay for the purchase will be the subject of discussion at an upcoming board meeting once the final 2017 books are closed out.

Both CAFA’s auditor and bookkeeper were at the meeting to give board members an overview of its finances, but with about $22,000 in bills outstanding, the board wanted to wait to discuss financing for the mini pumper until they had the most up-to-date financial information.

The general consensus seemed to be to pay as much as possible down for the vehicle, then finance the remainder.

The board was also made aware of the passing of the landlord who owns the building (and property) that CAFA is leasing for Station 2 in Lima Township. Board Member Craig Maier told the board that his wife wants to sell the building and the 16.7-acre property, which is zoned commercial.

Maier said she’d prefer to sell as one parcel and CAFA does not yet have an asking price for the property.

Further discussion is expected on the future of the current Station 2 once more information becomes available.   

Fire Lt. Derek Klink and firefighter James Gaken received a commendation letter from Edward Comeau for their professionalism during a medical run to the Comeau resident on Dec. 10.

In January, the firefighters went out on 29 runs in Chelsea, 16 in Lima Township, 12 in Lyndon Township, 21 in Sylvan Township, 12 in Dexter Township and one in Manchester.

The next meeting of the CAFA board will take place on March 20 at 9 a.m. in the Chelsea City Council chambers.

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