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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 17, 1991 <br />donating to the citizens of Little Canada a$375,000 <br />fire truck. Boss stated that he does not know of any <br />organization or City department which has solicited <br />funds and donated to the City over $700,000 in the last <br />4 1/2 years. Boss felt that the Council should <br />consider the Department's fund-raising activities since <br />1946. Boss also pointed out that the fire station <br />which served the City for the past 45 years never cost <br />the taxpayers one penny. <br />Boss reported that he recently attended a goal-setting <br />session with the City Council, and indicated that one <br />of the main topics at that session was communication. <br />Boss stated that he realizes that most of the fire <br />fighters are people who are active in the community. <br />There are 36 fire fighters, all of whom have their own <br />opinions. Boss suggested that on occasion comments may <br />have been made by fire fighters which have caused some <br />alienation. Boss suggested that if this has happened, <br />the Council set it aside. Boss also suggested that <br />twice each year the Fire Department, as an <br />organization, and the City Council get together for <br />workshop sessions. <br />Boss felt that there were ways available to the Council <br />to increase the Fire Department's budget without <br />increasing the City's tax levy. <br />The Chief pointed out that another budget request of <br />the Department is to replace 1,000 feet of 4-inch hose. <br />The Chief indicated that the existing hose is 20-years <br />old, deteriorating rapidly and needs replacement. The <br />Chief pointed out that this hose is a life-line to the <br />fire fighters when working inside a burning building. <br />The Chief reported that the fire fighters are very <br />dedicated people, pointing out that very few members <br />retire after they have reached 20 years of service. <br />Currently, pension benefits are $2,000 per year of <br />service, and this pension benefit is necessary to <br />attract new fire fighters and keep them interested. <br />Jim Morelan, Second Assistant Chief, reported that he <br />served on the budget committee for the Fire Department <br />this year. It was the thought of that committee in <br />preparing the budget request to not consider the <br />financial shortfalls the City has, but to try to <br />prepare a budget that will allow the Fire Department to <br />do the best job for the citizens of Little Canada. <br />Morelan stated that the committee does not feel there <br />are a lot of plush things being requested as part of <br />the budget, but rather requests that should have been <br />made in the last few years. <br />Page 5 <br />