The Jerome Township Division of Fire will add one new member in an attempt to handle the growth in the area.
“I think there is a need,” said Township Administrator Brandon Standley. “I think it’s only going to get greater as the township grows.”
Standley said he has had several discussions with Fire Chief Doug Stewart regarding the community safety lieutenant being stretched thin by the inspections required by rapid development.
In his annual report, Stewart noted that the department completed 414 fire safety inspections in 2023, which found 692 violations. Still, the chief told the trustees that there were over 200 businesses that could not be inspected because of staffing limitations.
Standley added that Community Safety Lt. Brad Flora is regularly called to the Amazon facility, for example.
In speaking with Stewart, Standley recommended the trustees approve creating a new firefighter/EMT position, so an existing firefighter could be moved to a new community safety position.
While it is not technically a promotion, Stewart previously said there will likely be interest because of the desirable hours associated with the position.
Standley said the firefighter/EMT position wages start at $20.26 per hour and top out at $29.46 per hour.
Trustee Chair Barry Adler said he feels comfortable with the recommendation given there is a revenue stream in place that would make funding available to fund the new position.
He noted that the department began collecting fees for fire inspection late last year.
According to Stewart’s annual report, between October and December 2023, the department received approximately $35,000 in plan review and inspection fees.
Adler said he feels the fees generated will cover the cost of hiring an employee.
Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell said he is also comfortable with adding the position.
Still, Trustee Joe Craft said he was on the board through slimmer times at the fire department and wants to make it clear that there could be a time in the future when “we need to cut back.”
But, as of now, he said he is in favor of adding the position.
The trustees voted 3-0 to do so.
In other business:
– The trustees unanimously approved a $3,979.53 change order associated with the purchase of an aerial ladder truck from Sutphen.
The $1.95 million, 100-foot aerial platform was funded through an agreement between the township and Nationwide Realty during the development of Jerome Village. The township also designated federal COVID funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) toward the purchase.
The truck is expected to be delivered in fall of 2025.
Standley said Stewart asked that the trustees be aware that other change orders could occur between now and then, especially in light of increases to the cost of materials.
The administrator said he would prefer the trustees review and approve any change orders along the way, as opposed to approving them all at once later.
– Approved the resignation of Zoning Clerk Shelby Christian and authorized the administrator to proceed with the hiring process to fill the vacancy.
Standley said the position is posted online and the township has received around 30 applications already, though he expects even more.
According to the online posting, the pay rate for the position is $19.50-$21.16 per hour.