The Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) Board voted unanimously to refinance its ladder truck, locking in a fixed interest rate of 3.30 percent for 10 years, which will result in reduced payments.
Although the exact savings haven’t been calculated yet, the financing of the truck will switch from an adjustable interest rate to a fixed interest rate with Kansas State Bank – unless a local bank can meet or better this rate.
In other news, the CAFA board discussed an opportunity to donate its hovercraft and other equipment to the Washtenaw County Technical Rescue Team, for the county-wide group’s use. The hovercraft, Fire Capt. Chris Smyth said, has been used four times for ice rescues in the 10 years that CAFA has owned it. The hovercraft was donated to CAFA by Capt. Matt Tuttle’s parents, while the other equipment was acquired through grant funding.
Smyth said it cannot be used in rivers or swift moving water, rather it’s designed for use in calm waters such as lakes or on ice.
If the agreement is executed, CAFA would still own the equipment if it needed or wanted it back.
The board also discussed, but did not take action on, a permanent time and location for future CAFA meetings for 2017. Two regular members were absent from the Tuesday night meeting, Board Chairman Kurt Koseck and Vice Chairman Craig Maier.
The May meeting, however, will take place on May 23 at 7 p.m. in the Chelsea City Council chambers.
The board did set up a committee comprised of Tom Osborne, Tom Demske and Chief Robert Arbini to begin preparations for a millage proposal for CAFA that is expected to go on the November ballot.
In other discussions, the board talked about the possibility of preparing a waiver form that might once again allow birthday parties or other small special events to take place at Fire Station 1 on West Middle Street.
The board also voted to spend about $1,180 as a “Band-Aid” for an IT server back-up until the next budget when a new server and additional computer equipment may be included.
