By RAY BALOGH
Staff Writer

Turkey Creek fire board and township advisory boards Monday, July 12, passed Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s proposed operations and equipment replacement budgets.

Both votes were unanimous and both budgets were passed without amendment.

The operations budget includes an across-the-board salary increase of 5%. “We’re trying to get the salaries where they need to be,” said Scott. “We researched other departments and this increase will help bring our compensation in line with those.”

The operations budget, which clocks in at $2,231,891, includes a new position, that of administrative assistant. “This position is long overdue,” Scott said. The administrative assistant will receive a salary of $41,600.

The equipment replacement budget comports with Scott’s 20-year schedule of upgrading vehicles and other equipment. Next year the department will replace its radio equipment, upgrading to a more reliable communications frequency, and replace the department’s fire hoses and nozzles and rescue boat. Also slated for acquisition are battery powered positive pressure fans and training props.

The 2022 equipment replacement budget, totaling $425,000, also includes funding for the acquisition of land for a “training ground behind Station 2.”

The budgets will be referred to the Syracuse Town Council for consideration.

Fire Board

Scott presented his June report:

• The department responded to 20 fire calls and 117 EMS calls, and has totaled 746 emergency runs this year.
• Department personnel completed 353 hours of fire training on subjects including vehicle extrication, thermal imaging camera training, gas utility system safety and electrical safety certification.
• The department’s annual chicken and pork chop barbecue fundraiser was a success, with all food sold out by 1:30 p.m. “We would like to say thank you to everyone who supported our department,” Said Scott.
• Scott announced an opening for a full-time position “for a firefighter/EMT or above.” The starting salary is $45,000 to $50,000 “depending on experience and current certifications.”

Anyone interested may pick up an application at either fire station or download one at www.syracusefd.com. Completed applications must be mailed or dropped off in person.

Township Board

Township Trustee Julie Close presented her monthly report, reflecting June poor relief disbursements in the following amounts:

• Rent, $800
• Utilities, $2,447
• Food, $578.23

The township also paid $600 to MicroSpectrum for a software system to better monitor applicant visits and maintain applicant records.

The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.