The minutes of the December meeting were accepted and the directors voted to pay $9,877.53 in paid invoices and $12,617.20 in invoices to be paid.
Expenses included $2,400 to Western Alliance for EMT Classes for four members of the Fire Company. Chief May said, "We are happy these people took the class." He said they need a certain number of EMT-certified people so the department can be eligible for grants.
Other bills include $1,620.98 and $864.18 to Campbell Supply for repairs; $320 to Watson Diesel to repair a coolant leak; $110 for a CPR class; and $6,213 to Gannon Associates for insurance premium.
The treasurer's report was approved with these balances: Checking, $56,718.13; Savings, $50,521,98; Reserve, $1,822.46.
An Agreement of Expectations with Canton Borough was approved.
Chief May thanked Bob Petrowski and Cale Holmes of the Canton Township road crew for helping with cinders at accident scenes, on the way to responses, etc. Mr. Holmes responded to a call on Lake Hill where a vehicle had slid crossways in the road and also for pulling a disabled tractor trailer out of the highway near Grover. "They do an awesome job," Chief May said.
The department received a $12,068.60 Fire Company Volunteer Services Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, announced by the office of Senator Gene Yaw. Chief May said this money will be used for debt reduction.
The fundraising arm of Innes Hose Co. purchased 1,000 feet of fire hose for Engine One and Truck One at a cost of $2,500
The Firemen's Relief Association purchased four new nozzles at a cost of $3,196.
Chief May said these purchases will save taxpayer money paid through the fire contract.
He said the membership also decided on the disposition of some $1,580 accumulated in a Grant Trick Memorial Account. After consulting with the Trick family, it was decided to use this money to purchase a X2 double shot taser for the Canton Borough Police Department, as well as a holster, battery pack and ten cartridges. Users of this weapon can be certified at the Bradford County Jail.
The Firemen's Relief Association also purchased a hand-held Thermal Imager at a cost of $12,400. This device not only enhances safety of firefighters but it also will help preserve property as it will let the firefighters know the precise location of a fire within a wall, chimney, etc.
All the trucks have been inspected. The large ones were done at Watson Diesel and the smaller ones by Darren Zimmer at Moore's Automotive. "They [both] take very good care of us," Chief May said.
Mr. Jennings said that the annual preventive maintenance program will get underway in March. Last year's cost was about $34,000 but is expected to be less this year. Chief May did note that the company that always had inspected the aerial unit had gone out of business. Another company has been located to do the inspection but may be more expensive than the former company. Canton will ask for a price quote.
Not all bills from calendar 2014 have been received, but it seems that the department will come very close to hitting its $159,916 budget.