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Press record. 00:00:00
And then stop. 00:00:01
Hello, Cortana. 00:00:03
I don't know if I'm gonna say anything or not, but I want to put it on there. 00:00:08
Needed, right? 00:00:11
My wifes fault. 00:00:21
I'm in different on sports. 00:00:27
You good, you good. 00:00:31
Good, good. 00:00:34
How are you of L franchise UK fan, Unsubstantiated Cardinals fan. 00:00:37
Yeah, she bought me this shirt cause. 00:00:45
Her parents have season tickets and then we can go. 00:00:48
I'm gonna go ahead and call the meeting of the Franklin Township Board and Trustee meeting for February the 12th to order. Please 00:00:52
rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. 00:00:57
I pledge allegiance to the flag. 00:01:07
Of the United States of America. 00:01:09
And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation. 00:01:11
Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:01:16
All right. 00:01:23
Roll call. 00:01:26
Don Jiggle. 00:01:28
Yes. Is your mic on done? 00:01:29
Yes. 00:01:34
And high camper. 00:01:35
Angela Thompson. 00:01:40
Here. 00:01:42
All board members are present. 00:01:43
Before we jump into the public comment. 00:01:46
I do want to address 2 things real quick. 00:01:50
Number one. 00:01:54
The fire territory I took off the table in January. 00:01:55
That way we were not engaged and we have not been engaged. 00:02:00
In the fire territory talks going forward. 00:02:04
And did not engage. 00:02:07
In the first meeting of the Bar territory. 00:02:09
The second thing I want to address is this board. Nor does this trustee. 00:02:12
Have any power over of a fire district? 00:02:18
That is a Commissioner driven article. 00:02:21
That takes up from the Commission. 00:02:24
If a resident wants to start a petition. 00:02:27
A petition can circulate to form a fire district. 00:02:30
That is the only two ways that can happen. This board has no insight to that. 00:02:35
The first one. 00:02:43
Our first public speaker will be Connie Moon. 00:02:48
And Mr. Trustee, are we timing them at 3 minutes per? 00:02:51
Public speaker tonight. 00:02:55
3 minutes. 00:02:56
So I will give each public speaker just kind of a high sign when you've got about a minute left on your time. 00:02:58
Honeymoon. 00:03:06
Franklin Township. 00:03:08
I understand that the territory is a debt issue at this point. 00:03:10
However, I do want to stress. 00:03:13
That I'm disappointed that the only option giving Franklin Township a seat at the table was dismissed. 00:03:15
By the hopes of retaining lanes for Volunteer Fire. 00:03:22
Are you aware? 00:03:25
That Lanesville Fire does not hold any emergency medical certifications. 00:03:27
This prevents them from being able to administer medicines. 00:03:32
Or privatic. 00:03:36
Actions for emergency medical situations. 00:03:37
Think about that for a minute. 00:03:41
There's no emergency medical certifications. 00:03:43
Statistically 70%. 00:03:46
The first responder runs. 00:03:49
Our medical in nature. 00:03:51
Are you aware that they don't have the ability to communicate directly with our dispatch? 00:03:53
Or are. 00:03:58
Our fire departments within our county. 00:03:58
This seems to be inefficient in the time of an emergency. 00:04:01
Are you also aware that in a public meeting? 00:04:06
It was stated that Lanesville Fire is not interested in making drug overdose phone calls or. 00:04:08
Runs umm. 00:04:14
Regardless of your feelings. 00:04:16
About humans who struggle with drug addiction. 00:04:18
Emergency responders must put those feelings aside to assist the public during all. 00:04:21
Emergency situations. 00:04:25
A drug call doesn't necessarily mean it's an illegal substance. 00:04:28
This type of call could include an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication. 00:04:33
By a child's physician. 00:04:38
If an emergency responder shows up to a scene. 00:04:41
I would expect that they would take control of the entire scene. 00:04:44
Including the patient. 00:04:47
And not leave community members to continue with life saving CPR measures. 00:04:49
I would also expect. 00:04:55
That they would be certified. 00:04:56
To perform said techniques. 00:04:58
Or administer those basic medicines. 00:05:00
Franklin Township. 00:05:03
Has been disregarded with employee county for far too one minute. 00:05:05
I believe that we are just as entitled to state-of-the-art fire and EMS as the rest of the county. 00:05:09
This is why I got involved in the first place. 00:05:14
We're a tight knit community. Despite being spread out over a large area, there are many who will drop. 00:05:16
What they're doing at the. 00:05:22
At the drop of a hat to lend a hand. 00:05:24
To others in need. 00:05:26
We deserve better than what we got. 00:05:27
I want to encourage you to contract with Georgetown. 00:05:30
From 2025 of the current gracious rate. 00:05:33
That they're giving us. 00:05:36
And re engage in talks regarding a territory. 00:05:38
Let's keep the money within Floyd County. 00:05:41
And be able to say we're getting what we're paying for. 00:05:43
Let's have a seat at the tape. 00:05:45
Thank you. 00:05:48
Our next speaker will be Donna Hubler. 00:05:54
Donna Hoover, Franklin Township. 00:06:02
I wanted to state that I am opposed to the fire district or the fire territory. We've been taxed. 00:06:05
In so many ways, and we know there's so much, so many more taxes coming our way in Floyd County. 00:06:11
The income tax rate that increased just in January for our paychecks. I thought, why did I? Why did my paycheck go down? 00:06:16
It's a tax increase that I was not aware of. 00:06:25
I have questions for you on the board and for all of you. Franklin Township, pay the 8000 for six months of the year or for the 00:06:28
full year. 00:06:33
In June of last year. 00:06:39
It was the contract for six or 12 months. I understand we don't have a contract now, correct? 00:06:42
So. 00:06:47
We were without fire service for 20/23. 00:06:49
And into 2024. 00:06:53
With no signed contract. 00:06:55
The contract was signed for $8000 to finish the year out. 00:06:57
To December the 31st, 2024. 00:07:01
OK, so they were painting. So Georgetown was paid 8000 then? 00:07:04
It was and. 00:07:08
The other reason why the 8000 was paid out? 00:07:10
Georgetown was protecting all of Franklin Township, including the bottom half. 00:07:13
We did not pay any money to any other fire departments. 00:07:18
For the coverage of the bottom half. 00:07:21
So and we're working. So we don't have a contract for 2025 yet and that's. 00:07:25
I do prefer that we have a contract. 00:07:29
I also wanted to state, too, that I did reach out. Mr. Sharp had suggested that I reach out to the Volunteer Fire or to the 00:07:33
Georgetown Fire Department about how many runs that they had made. 00:07:39
The quarterly total. 00:07:45
Were there were only. 00:07:47
23 runs, one for fire. 00:07:48
24 I assume it's motor vehicle accident. 16 for medical for for others. 00:07:52
And then yearly total for the for the year was a 44, which I assume was during six months only. 00:07:58
Since that's when Georgetown started responding. But I don't I don't have the actual what was your? 00:08:05
What was your numbers again? 00:08:12
2314. 00:08:14
Fire 2 for moving vehicle accident, 16 for medical or for other. 00:08:16
Was that the fourth quarter or the third quarter? 00:08:22
Was October to December, Yeah. 00:08:26
So I just got the fourth quarter. 00:08:29
At the beginning of January. 00:08:31
The yearly totals. 00:08:34
For Franklin Township. 00:08:37
Was one fire. 00:08:40
4 motor vehicle accidents. 00:08:43
I see that as a yearly total. 00:08:46
I'm sorry it is yearly total. 00:08:48
32 for medical. 00:08:50
Total and seven. 00:08:52
For all other. 00:08:54
In that yearly total did not start until June. That's just. 00:08:56
But still, it's only 44, you know, and I'm thinking. 00:09:01
What are these? 00:09:05
Firemen doing the rest of the time, you know, if we had our own fire district. 00:09:06
Territory. 00:09:12
Either one. 00:09:13
Or I guess the territory wouldn't matter as much as if we had our own district. You know what? What are they doing? 00:09:14
And I did happen to look at on this report, the number of training hours that Station 1 and Station 2 are doing. 00:09:20
Means in in the quarter alone they did 1000 hours of training, which is I know they need that. 00:09:26
But I'm just saying one minute remaining. 00:09:33
One minute. Yes, ma'am. 00:09:35
The other thing I wanted to say, I personally prefer lanes of Volunteer Fire Department. 00:09:39
I want someone who, when the call comes in that they are going to know the roads, they're going to know where they're going, a lot 00:09:44
of them. 00:09:47
I just don't know that Georgetown knows the area like Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department does, but they know the people. 00:09:51
And I think that makes a difference and. 00:09:58
Making sure they bring the right equipment. 00:10:00
To handle the situation that they're dealing with. 00:10:02
Thank you. 00:10:06
Thank you, ma'am. 00:10:13
And just to be clear, for any future speakers, if we have a board member or the trustee who chooses to engage with you, I am 00:10:13
pausing your time. 00:10:17
And not resuming the time until you're back to to speaking any comments you have to try to preserve your time so that. 00:10:21
Any interactions you're having or not eating into the time for whatever you wanted to say tonight. 00:10:27
With that, our next speaker is Richard Haller. 00:10:32
Good evening. 00:10:43
I'm looking at the. 00:10:47
Pages from the slide presentation from the Commissioner's Office. 00:10:49
And according to it, our current tax levy is .0. 00:10:54
383. 00:10:59
In Franklin County. 00:11:01
And understand that. 00:11:04
Mr. Moon just said that. 00:11:07
Territories not under consideration anymore. 00:11:10
So it leaves the district. 00:11:13
Well, the district is point. 00:11:17
165. 00:11:19
Which is. 00:11:20
Right at 47 or 43 times. 00:11:21
Our present. 00:11:25
Now I'm not. I don't like taxes, but I don't mind paying a little bit taxes if I get some. 00:11:28
I live just over 7 1/2 miles from the Georgetown Park. 00:11:35
And I figure from the time that I make a call. 00:11:39
So the water starts getting put on my house. It's going to be right at 15 minutes. 00:11:43
Today. 00:11:49
If my taxes increase substantially and I make a call. 00:11:50
It's still going to be the same 15 minutes. 00:11:56
That's the main service that I'm concerned about. 00:11:59
On your you said the fire district level? 00:12:06
On that slide presentation was one point. 00:12:11
61.6595. 00:12:13
That was on the fire district. 00:12:16
Yes. 00:12:18
That slide that is in there. 00:12:18
That slide was put in the PowerPoint program. 00:12:21
To show what the highest level was. 00:12:25
To show that in the notes above that. 00:12:28
That even said at that level. 00:12:32
We would not be able to purchase land. 00:12:34
Building the fire station, pursing the fire engine or other equipment. 00:12:36
Firefighter out, firefighter turn out gear and Sebas. 00:12:41
That was put in. 00:12:45
To show that if we went to a fire district, we couldn't even afford it anyway. Paying higher taxes. 00:12:47
That was not proposed. 00:12:53
That was not proposed because this board. 00:12:55
Does not have anything to do with the fire district. 00:12:58
We had the opportunity for a fire territory. 00:13:02
The board decided to go a different direction. 00:13:05
Are there any state mandates? 00:13:08
That they say we must choose one or the other. 00:13:10
Can we remain the way we are now? 00:13:13
I'll get into that at the later part. 00:13:16
Of this meeting. 00:13:18
Alrighty. 00:13:19
Thank you, Sir. 00:13:27
Our next speaker is. 00:13:28
Andy Wright. 00:13:31
First off, I want to thank you guys for not going with the fire district or the fire territory. 00:13:38
Voting as a group. 00:13:44
Main reason I came out here tonight was to let you know that I'm opposed to. 00:13:46
Either one of those. 00:13:50
Which would increase our taxes. 00:13:52
And I don't feel like we would get any better service down in that part of the county. 00:13:54
I don't feel like the Franklin Township. 00:13:59
You guys all live right there with me. 00:14:01
We're kind of like the forgotten part of the county. 00:14:04
So again, if we're not going to get any better services, why would we pay any more money? 00:14:06
As far as? 00:14:13
You know another thing I would. 00:14:14
Like to know was you know what, what is our plan for 2025 as far as Fire Protection? 00:14:16
Thank you for saying that. And that is actually in the new business. So we'll go over that in new business. 00:14:23
I appreciate that. 00:14:30
Thank you, Sir. 00:14:38
Our next speaker, and I apologize if I mispronounced this last name, is it Vince Stilger or Stilger? 00:14:39
Hard G or soft G on that, Sir? 00:14:46
Thank you very much. 00:14:48
Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to address you all regarding this situation and matter. 00:14:51
My wife and I, Melanie, we live at 7925 Hines Rd. 00:14:56
Just across the Harrison County line. 00:15:02
We're 2.3 miles from. 00:15:04
Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department. 00:15:08
Response time of about. 00:15:10
5 minutes. 00:15:12
Georgetown Fire Department on Cordon Ridge Rd. is about. 00:15:13
6 1/2 miles away, 1011 minutes. 00:15:17
Response time. 00:15:20
I'm not a mathematician, but I do have some common sense. 00:15:22
And uh. 00:15:25
I think I would much rather prefer Lanesville response time to Georgetown. 00:15:27
Fire department in that regard. 00:15:33
Secondly. 00:15:36
There's about 10. 00:15:41
States that pay a lower medium property tax rate. 00:15:42
Then the state of Indiana does. 00:15:48
About 10 States and our our property taxes. 00:15:51
In comparison, nationally are. 00:15:54
Not that high, however. 00:15:57
When you break it down by counting. 00:15:59
In the state of Indiana, there's 92 counties. 00:16:02
All right, Floyd County ranks 13th. 00:16:06
Pay the 13th highest taxes property taxes in. 00:16:09
In the state of Indiana. 00:16:13
Based on. 00:16:16
On the median that is out there right now. 00:16:18
Now I realize that the Franklin Township. 00:16:21
Within Floyd County is probably I believe is the lowest rate in terms of property taxes. 00:16:24
So I am not really interested in paying an additional. 00:16:30
Property tax. 00:16:34
For services that really are not going to. 00:16:36
Exceed what we currently have. 00:16:39
Right now. 00:16:42
And if I could just simply ask one question to the. 00:16:44
Those in attendance. 00:16:48
How many of you reside in Franklin Township? 00:16:50
How many of you are opposed to this tax? 00:16:54
In Franklin Township. 00:16:57
OK. 00:16:58
Thank you very much. 00:17:01
Thank you, Sir. 00:17:08
Our next speaker is Jason Sharp. 00:17:09
Good evening, Jason Sharp, Mr. Cleve Floyd County Commissioner. 00:17:16
So I'm here tonight because for the last two weeks I've been getting. 00:17:19
Emails from people concerned that. 00:17:23
Tonight there was going to be a vote on the fire district. 00:17:25
And if our or if our Fire Protection territory. 00:17:28
Sorry, this is my first time being on this side. Is that better? Yeah, OK. 00:17:32
So anyway, I've gotten a lot of emails from people concerned about a district or a territory. 00:17:37
And that there was going to be some sort of. 00:17:42
Vote here to desert. 00:17:44
Is there anything on your own agenda about that? Because. 00:17:46
To my knowledge, you guys had taken yourselves out of the discussion for the territory. 00:17:48
As I've repeated several times, this board does not do anything with a fire district or the taxes for a fire district. 00:17:53
I. 00:18:02
Franklin Township out of the territory. 00:18:02
Because I knew that it was not going to pass and I was not going to penalize Georgetown in New Albany Township. Well, I appreciate 00:18:06
that clarification. 00:18:10
And I agree with you, Mr. Moon, that's not the responsibility of this body. 00:18:14
Matter of fact, I believe that the statutes are very clear who is capable of forming a Fire Protection district. 00:18:18
And it's not here and it's not today. And there is a very detailed and outline process to do so. 00:18:25
So. 00:18:30
I don't really appreciate some of the misinformation that has gone around. 00:18:31
Community and there's a couple things I'd also like to say, and I'm not going to repeat everything that Connie went over when she 00:18:35
talked about. 00:18:37
Some of her concerns, because I shared those concerns, you know, I've been a professional first response for 30 years. 00:18:40
And I've delivered care to people. 00:18:46
All across, not just this county. 00:18:49
But across the entire United States. 00:18:51
And I can promise you. 00:18:54
Fire departments in a hole. 00:18:55
Fires are really the one of the smallest things that they tend to. 00:18:58
Medical emergencies are the largest. 00:19:02
Just about every fire department. 00:19:05
About 70% of their calls originate from medical issues. 00:19:07
And. 00:19:11
I agree I have some severe concerns. 00:19:12
About utilizing an agency that is not property certified. 00:19:16
Not properly equipped. 00:19:19
And has the mindset that. 00:19:21
I'm sorry that that. 00:19:23
That they can pick and choose which runs they want to go to within our jurisdiction. I think it's irresponsible. 00:19:24
You know. 00:19:30
I could tell you if you're a first responder and you're not giving every patient that you come across. 00:19:31
110%. 00:19:36
Of your abilities. 00:19:38
You have no business doing that job. 00:19:39
None at all. 00:19:41
OK, now. 00:19:43
I can tell you on the thousands and thousands and thousands of scenes that I have been on. 00:19:45
Not once have I seen somebody's house burning down. 00:19:50
Or a family member thought they were paying too much. 00:19:53
Or their family members were blue and cannot breathe. 00:19:56
Paying too much? 00:19:59
OK, nobody likes to pay for services, I get it. 00:20:00
OK. 00:20:03
Commissioner, I do think it's unfair to ask the people of Georgetown Township. 00:20:04
To pay for services, the people of New Albany Township. 00:20:08
To pay for services, the people of Greenville Township. 00:20:12
To pay for services, the people of Lafayette Township. 00:20:15
To pay for these services. 00:20:18
And think that you can do this for $8000 a year. 00:20:20
That's not even enough to buy 2 sets of turn out here. 00:20:24
I'm good with you guys continuing any kind of discussion that you all want that provides. 00:20:28
Competent service to your area. 00:20:32
But I am not going to let Floyd County families suffer. 00:20:34
Because you're not going to look at this. 00:20:37
Thank you. 00:20:40
Thank you, Mr. 00:20:45
Our next speaker is Mike Hawes. 00:20:47
Or is it house, Sir? 00:20:54
Apologize. 00:20:55
Make sure I get that correct. 00:20:56
Well, I was hoping I wouldn't have to get up here and speak, but. 00:20:59
The first speaker and this last one. 00:21:02
Made it important that I do. 00:21:05
I'm on Lanesville fire department. 00:21:07
I've been on. 00:21:09
47 years. 00:21:10
And I don't think anybody can name a run that was ever in Floyd County we were called to that we did not go to. 00:21:12
Girl, I've been to I don't know how many drug overdoses up there, Rex. 00:21:20
Fires and I'm really getting tired of everybody saying that Lanesville won't make runs up there. 00:21:24
We did not quit the people of Franklin Township. He quit. 00:21:30
It's that plain and simple. 00:21:36
And I think the lawyers should be talking to you and your wife both about defamation suits. 00:21:38
You've been telling everybody that we didn't come to your house when you had a heart attack. 00:21:47
That there was a Harrison County ambulance showed up there. 00:21:52
Well, I've got the run report right here. There was number page for the Lanesville Fire Department. 00:21:55
They said that new Chapel in Georgetown was on the way. Well, I don't know. 00:22:01
But they asked for an ambulance only and that's what they sent and we didn't know anything about it. 00:22:06
But yet you're jumping us 'cause we didn't come to your house when we. 00:22:11
Do you answer the phone with don't ring? 00:22:15
And as far as not being, I don't know about our fire department certification. 00:22:19
But there is all but one of our 5. 00:22:24
Firefighters are either first responder. 00:22:27
EMT's or we have a paramedic. 00:22:30
And they're all kept up to date, all our certifications, we've all got our. 00:22:34
So don't say that we don't know what we're doing or don't have the equipment. 00:22:38
We've got the same equipment that most ambulances have. 00:22:42
That's all I have to say. 00:22:48
Thank you, Sir. 00:22:58
Our last speaker signed up for public comment. 00:22:59
I'm gonna apologize because I cannot read your signature. It's the gentleman I was speaking to in the Louisville shirt whose wife 00:23:01
has excellent taste in T-shirts. 00:23:05
So if you could state your name for the record, Sir. 00:23:09
Thank you, Aaron. I apologize about that. 00:23:12
I don't think we need to join. 00:23:18
Fire District. 00:23:21
I don't think we need to do much though to raise the taxes in the area. 00:23:24
A small increase in contracting with two established local fire departments. 00:23:29
Would do. 00:23:34
Everything we need. 00:23:36
I I can't. 00:23:38
I can't imagine how you justify. 00:23:42
The tax increase that it would take. 00:23:46
Thank you Miss Trustee, that is everyone that has signed up for public comment. 00:23:50
Into old business of the fire hydrants. 00:24:00
So since there is everybody here. 00:24:05
We have been discussing fire hydrants since about August of last year. 00:24:07
Of getting placements of. 00:24:13
As many as we can get up on the top half and the lower half. 00:24:15
Edwardsville Water or I think they're underneath the new new name now. 00:24:21
But umm. 00:24:26
Edwardsville Authority. Authority. Edwardsville Authority. 00:24:28
They do not provide fire hydrants. 00:24:33
And they were, we were told that it's not their responsibility, so it's going to be upon the. 00:24:36
The board to figure out how much we're going to want to spend on fire hydrants out in our area. I'm in the process of getting bids 00:24:43
at this point in time. 00:24:48
December's meeting. 00:24:55
We didn't have, we didn't have a quorum. 00:24:57
Only one member showed up. 00:24:59
I need to get approval for your all's payroll. 00:25:03
Backdated. 00:25:08
I need a motion on that. 00:25:11
Motions been made and seconded. 00:25:17
Mr. Shigles, thank you. 00:25:19
Just wanna make sure your mic was on. So Yep, it's on. 00:25:21
Thank you all in favor. 00:25:23
Show the rise of your hand. 00:25:25
Any opposed? 00:25:28
Motion passes. 00:25:29
In Decembers meeting also. 00:25:34
We were able to recognize Harlan Hines. 00:25:37
There's several different awards. 00:25:41
From the distinguished Hoosier Award. 00:25:43
To the state Senate. 00:25:46
Presented him in Indiana State flag. 00:25:48
The commissioners also presented him on proclamation. 00:25:51
And the Township trustee. 00:25:54
Board gave him a plaque of 60 years of dedicated service. 00:25:56
To the Hopewell Cemetery. 00:26:01
And he does a fantastic job and he has told me he will be back again this year to take care of it. 00:26:04
With that, this was also on the December meeting list I paid out $60.00 out of. 00:26:10
To kill them imprints. 00:26:18
For that plaque that he received. 00:26:20
I need a motion and a second for the approval of that. 00:26:22
Turn your microphone. 00:26:28
I'll make a motion for that. 00:26:30
Angela Thompson makes the motion. Do I have a second-half second it? 00:26:31
Any other? 00:26:35
Comments. 00:26:36
All in favor, raise your hand. 00:26:38
That passes. 00:26:41
Back on the Hopewell Cemetery. 00:26:44
As you guys in previous, I think it was September's meeting. 00:26:47
The highway department finally made it out there to put the gravel down. 00:26:52
As I stated in the meeting. 00:26:56
The manpower. 00:26:58
And the hours used was donated from the county. 00:26:59
The gravel costs for that which hasn't been grappled for and you can probably help me for a few years. 00:27:03
OK. That bill is $689. 00:27:11
To be paid to the county. 00:27:16
If I can get a motion. 00:27:19
I'll make a motion and high camper makes the motion. Do I have a second? 00:27:21
I'll second that. 00:27:25
Angela Thompson seconds it. Any questions? 00:27:26
All in favor, raise your hand. 00:27:30
New business. 00:27:34
Something that I need to add on the board appointment. 00:27:36
There was supposed to be the organizational part of it also. 00:27:40
Umm, but the board appointment, I think what, 4:30 today? Angela, you got sworn in. 00:27:44
Umm, as a board member, Caucus, as our new board member, so welcome to you. 00:27:49
You got a big meeting on your first. 00:27:54
Joseph did resign his position a couple of weeks ago. 00:27:58
And we wish him the best of luck. 00:28:03
Board members, you have been able to review the annual budget. 00:28:06
I'm sorry, let's back up. 00:28:09
The organizational part. 00:28:11
Between you 3, he's a president. 00:28:14
For the 2025 year. 00:28:16
I hope it's on. 00:28:25
For president. 00:28:27
I have a second. 00:28:31
I'll second that. 00:28:33
And High Camper made the motion. 00:28:34
Angel Thompson seconded for Don. 00:28:37
Any questions? 00:28:40
Concerns. Comments. 00:28:41
I have to think on it. I won't do it another year. 00:28:44
All in favor. 00:28:48
Any opposed? 00:28:51
Welcome back. 00:28:53
You guys have had a chance to review the annual report. 00:28:56
It is setting in gateway waiting for your all's approval. 00:29:00
The state has looked over at the SPOA, has looked over it, they they've seen those issues with it. 00:29:03
Unless you guys see any issues. 00:29:09
I want to ask a question on that. Were we going to raise the rate that we paid Harlan? 00:29:12
We mentioned that. 00:29:18
In one of the meetings. 00:29:20
I don't recall that. 00:29:22
Yeah, we did discuss that. 00:29:24
I don't think we. 00:29:29
Really moved on it, never to move on. We did move on it. We didn't come up with a number, but that that would be underneath do 00:29:30
business because this is actually the 24 annual report to finish out the year 2024. 00:29:36
Which Harlan was paid out. 00:29:44
Yes, I can. 00:29:47
So over the 2024 annual annual report. 00:29:50
I need a motion to approve. 00:29:54
Anne High camper makes a motion. I need a second. 00:29:59
I'll second it. Donnie seconds it. 00:30:02
Any discussion? 00:30:04
And for you guys out there, the annual report is up here, the bank statements are up here. 00:30:07
The checkbooks up here. 00:30:12
All the information is up front if you guys want to look at that. 00:30:14
All in favor. 00:30:20
Raise your hand high. 00:30:21
All opposed. 00:30:23
Motion passes. 00:30:24
And this trustee before you move on, you said that annual reports been filed with Gateway as well. So the. 00:30:26
General public can pull that up on Indiana Gateway as well. It'll take about a week or two. 00:30:31
So once they transfer that over. 00:30:36
I will say that the computer program that we got earlier this year that you guys pass. 00:30:39
Is pretty much a lifesaver. It's easy. 00:30:45
We can transport from that program. 00:30:47
Right over the gateway. 00:30:50
So it's been a real help. 00:30:53
This past year. 00:30:55
The next thing I have is the Indiana Trustees Association dues. 00:30:58
That is $200. 00:31:02
That would be for year 2025. 00:31:07
Put me in motion. 00:31:17
Or whatever you guys want to do. 00:31:19
Make a motion to accept it. 00:31:22
I'll second it. 00:31:26
Motion by made by Don, second by Angela. 00:31:27
Any questions? 00:31:32
All in favor, raise your hand. 00:31:34
Any opposed? 00:31:36
Motion passes. 00:31:38
All right, so to the OR the the fire service contract for 2025? 00:31:40
Where do we start? 00:31:49
And Mr. Trustee, it sounds like we're getting reports that there may be some feedback issues on the streaming. 00:31:52
So just in the interest for those who are watching on the streaming. 00:31:58
It will be beneficial for all of us. 00:32:02
To only turn on our mics as we are speaking. Apparently that sometimes causes some feedback, so. 00:32:04
If we could do that just to make sure the folks at home. 00:32:09
In here as well. 00:32:12
Which I know will require us to turn them on and off a whole lot more, but we'll try to keep on top of that. 00:32:13
It's your mic. 00:32:19
I apologize that I'm the problem. 00:32:22
Gary, just text me. 00:32:27
Tell Gary, I said. When in doubt, blaming the lawyer is always a great idea. 00:32:34
All right, so. 00:32:42
So let's dive into this. 00:32:45
So. 00:32:48
Georgetown. 00:32:49
Township or Georgetown Fire Department. 00:32:51
Has gave us an offer of $8000. 00:32:54
That is to cover all of Franklin Township. 00:32:59
The top and the lower half. 00:33:02
As you guys may not have known. 00:33:05
June of last year. 00:33:08
Myself, Chief Banta and the deputy chief, Ned Wiseman. 00:33:10
Sat down with Elizabeth Fire Department and we also sat down with New Albany Township Fire Department. 00:33:14
Something this Township has never had. Is a mutual aid agreement automatic? 00:33:21
They were signed at the end of June of last year and still stays in effect. 00:33:28
So basically what that means is for the people on Hwy. 11. 00:33:33
From Elizabeth to Guess Wine Rd. 00:33:37
Elizabeth is an automatic mutual aid response for EMS. 00:33:40
And fire. 00:33:45
Pass from Hwy. 62 coming to guess 1. 00:33:47
That is for structure fires. 00:33:52
Is an automatic mutual aid with. 00:33:56
Elizabeth. Uh. 00:33:59
And Georgetown's also coming. 00:34:01
EMS wise, Georgetown can respond quicker in that area. 00:34:04
So they will be handling all the EMS. 00:34:08
That's to any of our knowledge as have never been done and there's never been signed contracts. 00:34:13
To add to that, Georgetown also has mutual aid contracts with what now is Highlander Fire Protection District. 00:34:19
And they can also respond. 00:34:28
One of the other. 00:34:31
That I think Miss Huebler had said. 00:34:34
And I heard people talking about response times. 00:34:37
It is this board's responsibility. 00:34:41
To protect all of Franklin Township. 00:34:44
As a whole. 00:34:48
Franklin Township is the top and the lower half. 00:34:49
The average run times and I think I think she had some also. 00:34:55
The yearly average is 8.54. 00:35:00
The quarterly averages are been running about 9.44. 00:35:06
In November of last year, November of 2024. 00:35:12
There was 2 calls. 00:35:19
One was a 17 minute response from Georgetown and the other one was a 13 minute response from Georgetown. 00:35:21
Them two runs come out the same day. 00:35:28
That was also the day that we had that snow and the roads were slick. 00:35:32
As public safety people say, don't let your emergency. 00:35:38
Don't let somebody else's emergency become your own. 00:35:41
They traveled and they got there. 00:35:45
You cannot fault a fire department. 00:35:48
For having a little bit longer. 00:35:51
Run in hazardous driving conditions. 00:35:53
The November. 00:35:57
Average for November. 00:35:59
With them to runs took it to 11 minutes and 53 seconds. 00:36:01
These numbers are not pulled from the fire department. 00:36:06
These numbers are pulled from our dispatch agency. 00:36:10
Right here, ran by the Floyd County Sheriff's Office. 00:36:14
So to put that out. 00:36:19
George sounds fire companies. 00:36:22
Monday through Friday. 00:36:25
8:00 to 5:00. 00:36:28
Has a total of. 00:36:29
13. 00:36:32
Responding fire personnel. 00:36:34
5:00 to 8:00. 00:36:38
There is 10 with a possible two more. 00:36:41
And that is not including, that is actually people responding. 00:36:46
To that run. 00:36:51
That is not including mutual aid. 00:36:52
That's coming from Elizabeth. 00:36:55
Or New Albany Township. 00:36:57
And that is for the top and the bottom. 00:36:59
And I think that that right there speaks volumes. 00:37:02
I request it runs from. 00:37:06
Waynesville. 00:37:10
Which? 00:37:12
This board had told me when I took over. 00:37:13
Good luck. 00:37:17
You guys remember telling me that? 00:37:18
I get a whole bunch of sheets. 00:37:23
That just has runtimes. 00:37:25
And there's highlights through there. 00:37:28
Don't tell me if they responded. 00:37:32
It doesn't tell us. 00:37:35
How long it took them to get there? 00:37:37
It doesn't tell us anything but. 00:37:39
Basically the day. 00:37:42
The run number. 00:37:43
In an address. 00:37:45
Not even what type of call it is. 00:37:47
The Franklin Township Harrison County Fire Trustee. 00:37:51
Had told us that. 00:37:56
In 2023, because this meeting happened in May of 24. 00:37:58
All these people, all you guys got this sheet. 00:38:04
From the Township trustee. 00:38:07
Sorry. 00:38:10
Said that they had 100 and six runs. 00:38:12
Into Franklin Township, upper half. 00:38:16
This is Lanesville only was contracting for the upper half. 00:38:19
After we started diving through these. 00:38:24
We found out to be 45 runs. 00:38:27
At the beginning of 2024 one. 00:38:32
January of 24 through. 00:38:35
531. 00:38:37
Of 2024. 00:38:39
There was 17 responses. 00:38:41
These numbers. 00:38:45
That were taken off of these shows the increase of runs happening in Franklin Township. 00:38:48
If these numbers that they produced or. 00:38:57
Papers that they produce is correct. 00:39:01
We have doubled. 00:39:03
Runs. 00:39:06
To our area. 00:39:07
The other thing that is very concerning to me inside that meeting? 00:39:10
All three of us were in that meeting. 00:39:14
The other thing that was very concerning to me? 00:39:17
Was Lanesville was showing total expenses for the fire department on A5 year average. 00:39:20
The five year average. 00:39:27
In uh. 00:39:29
2022. 00:39:31
Was $55,346.04, according to the trustee. 00:39:33
In 2023. 00:39:39
Their total expense went down to $42,215.46. 00:39:42
At that same meeting, that Township trustee told us. 00:39:49
That he was going to raise the price. 00:39:52
To $12,000 just to cover the upper half. 00:39:55
That was concerning to me and he was predicting. 00:40:00
Another down slide. 00:40:03
For their expenses. 00:40:05
That is not reasonable. 00:40:08
You guys, I've heard you guys talking about taxes. 00:40:11
Why are we throwing tax money away? 00:40:14
When this department is showing a decrease in their expenses. 00:40:17
But they're going to raise our price. 00:40:22
The other information. 00:40:26
That was. 00:40:27
From that meeting in May. 00:40:30
The board actually approved these minutes in September. 00:40:32
The Fire Chief told us directly that he was not interested in making drug overdose calls. 00:40:37
The board approved them minutes. All three of us were sitting there. 00:40:43
Is that a service to Franklin Township, Lloyd County? 00:40:48
I don't think so. 00:40:52
I don't think so at all. 00:40:55
Drug overdoses can come in many different forms. 00:40:56
These board members were there. 00:41:00
They heard it. 00:41:02
And they approved it in the next meeting on the minutes. 00:41:05
I asked Lanesville Fire Department for training records. 00:41:10
I got nothing. 00:41:15
Still to the day I have got nothing. 00:41:16
Georgetown. 00:41:20
As Miss Hoobler had pointed out. 00:41:22
They send their training hours. 00:41:24
Georgetown welcomes any of you community members to go down there and look at their training and tour their Firehouse. 00:41:27
They're very responsive. 00:41:35
Donna, I'm assuming you talk to either Mr. Bana or or Mr. White or Chief Bana or or Chief Wiseman. 00:41:37
No, it was actually. 00:41:45
Jimmy Mayfield. 00:41:47
Mr. Mayfield? Yep. 00:41:49
Yeah, so should have been very responsive to you. 00:41:51
In a timely manner. 00:41:55
If I have questions. 00:41:57
These board members had come up and said, hey, you know. 00:42:00
What's the deal? Why? Why this happened or why did it take so long? 00:42:03
Don, I had the information to you within 30 minutes. 00:42:08
Yes. 00:42:13
I think about the Waynesville Fire Department, it was not Lanesville firefighters herself, it was the town trustee would not sign 00:42:15
the contracts. 00:42:19
Renew it. I haven't even got that part yet. Never got it from him. He never got to that part. 00:42:23
The guys at Waynesville, we need to put the blame on their trustee. It was his fault. 00:42:29
Not Lanesville Fire Department. 00:42:35
So. 00:42:40
On January the 13th, 2025. 00:42:42
I received an e-mail. 00:42:46
From the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. 00:42:47
This e-mail. 00:42:53
That I sent is. 00:42:55
Basically, can you tell me if Waynesville Fire Department, Harrison County? 00:42:59
Holds any any any EMS certifications? 00:43:04
The response back from Jason Smith with the Department of Homeland Security EMS Division is. 00:43:08
Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department does not. 00:43:14
Does not hold a current a valid. 00:43:18
EMS certification. 00:43:22
I can tell you that. 00:43:26
Georgetown has what's called some of you guys might know as first responders. 00:43:28
They're now called Emr's emergency medical response. 00:43:33
I can also tell you that. 00:43:39
Georgetown has basic life support technicians on their trucks. 00:43:41
This e-mail can be viewed by you guys. 00:43:47
I do not have a problem with that. 00:43:50
The other thing is, is I've heard. 00:43:57
The point that their trucks are too big. 00:44:00
And I've heard that they don't know where they're going. 00:44:02
Well. 00:44:07
Something that Georgetown started immediately. 00:44:09
Is what's called a box book. 00:44:12
They have been out in Franklin Township, Upper and bottom. 00:44:15
And I have a box book made. 00:44:19
They have put together addresses. 00:44:21
That is going to be difficult to get into. 00:44:24
They have pre planned for them. 00:44:28
I can give you 3 plan. 00:44:30
Scenarios out in our area. 00:44:32
They have their fire hydrants marked because we are a lack of fire hydrants out there in Franklin Township, just to let you know. 00:44:35
They have them, Mark. 00:44:43
They have a protocol set in place for tanker operations to get water to us. 00:44:45
Their first responding engine out of Station 2, which is on Cordon Ridge Rd. 00:44:51
Is comparable if not the same size. 00:44:56
Of what Lanesville is bringing. 00:45:00
You can take that up with with Georgetown. 00:45:04
We we have visited, we have looked at it. 00:45:08
We also they also have a mutual aid agreement with the New Albany Township for the mini pumper. 00:45:12
And they're looking to bring the mini pumper to Station 2 also. 00:45:17
They are not going to run the ladder truck. 00:45:22
Out to Franklin Township. 00:45:25
That's not even there. There is three. I take it back. There is 3 houses or three properties. 00:45:28
Antioch Church. 00:45:36
Mount Zion Church. 00:45:38
And evidently there is a large house on Taney Road. 00:45:39
That would require the aerial truck to come out. 00:45:45
All the rest of it is going to be Engine 21. 00:45:49
That would be responding. I encourage you guys to take a visit to Georgetown. 00:45:53
They would love to see you guys and they would love to talk to you guys. 00:45:58
About that. 00:46:02
But they have been doing pre planning since June of last year. 00:46:04
The next thing that I'm going to dive into is the contract. 00:46:12
The contracts one has always been. 00:46:18
With the Franklin Township Trustee. 00:46:22
The board members, when I first come on, told me good luck on tracking him down. 00:46:26
And that has been a true statement for anything. 00:46:31
I cannot get none of us. 00:46:35
Can get information out of the Township trustee. 00:46:38
And Don, how long have you been on this board? 00:46:42
Hold on. 00:46:49
Since 2016. 00:46:52
And microphones. 00:46:54
Four years. 00:47:01
I started it. You can go ahead and shut off your mics. 00:47:02
Course, Angela just got on here. 00:47:05
I was a caucus in in April of last year. 00:47:09
Mr. Travis, would you like to share? 00:47:15
I think it might not work now. 00:47:22
So which specific part would you like me to start with? 00:47:26
Uh, the union code, OK. 00:47:31
So, umm. 00:47:33
Obviously. 00:47:34
When Charlie became the trustee for Franklin Township, as he mentioned, one of the first things we looked into was the existence 00:47:35
of what contracts there were. As he indicated, we could not find any written contracts anywhere in place at that point in time. 00:47:42
So that was when the contract with Georgetown was put in place. 00:47:50
That was when I also wanted to make sure that as Charlie moved forward, he was properly advised about how a Township can go about 00:47:54
providing Fire Protection to its citizens. 00:47:59
And so excuse me as we move forward with these discussions. Also have had the opportunity to talk with Ann and Donnie a few times 00:48:05
about things. Angela, you're obviously new, so it's probably our first chance to talk about some of this. 00:48:11
But the relevant Indiana code for this is Indiana Code 36-8-13-3, which provides the authorized ways that a Township executive can 00:48:17
provide for Fire Protection. And it says. 00:48:23
That the executive of Township, which is the Township trustee, with the approval of the legislative body which is your Township 00:48:29
board. 00:48:32
Can do any of the following. 00:48:36
So here's here's your options as a Township that you all have on the table through your elected officials. 00:48:38
You can purchase your own firefighting equipment and emergency services apparatus and equipment for the town. 00:48:44
Or for the Township, excuse me, and provide for housing, care, maintenance, operation, use of the apparatus and equipment. So 00:48:49
basically you can start your own fire department. 00:48:53
But you got to carry all of the overhead, the cost, the expense of doing that. That's option #1. 00:48:57
Option #2 that you have contract with the municipality. 00:49:02
Either in the Township or in a contiguous Township that maintains its own adequate firefighting or emergency services apparatus. 00:49:06
So if you have a Township. 00:49:10
That you border with. 00:49:14
That has its own Township. 00:49:15
Fire Department. 00:49:18
You can contract with that township's fire department. 00:49:19
To provide fire service to you. That is your neighbor. 00:49:22
#3. 00:49:26
Cooperate with the municipality in the Township or a contiguous Township in the purchase, maintenance, and upkeep of firefighting 00:49:27
or emergency services apparatus. SO2 Neighboring townships can work together to purchase jointly used equipment. 00:49:33
Somewhat similar to the idea of a fire district or a fire territory, but not quite going so far as to create a fire district in a 00:49:39
fire territory because those come with separate taxing issues and things like that. 00:49:45
The next option you have is to contract with a Volunteer Fire Department. 00:49:51
Organized to fight fires either in the Township. 00:49:55
Umm, or nearby? 00:49:59
So you can contract directly with. 00:50:01
A Volunteer Fire Department, and that's an important distinction. 00:50:04
For what Charlie was just talking about and you heard a lot of references there. 00:50:07
And and Donnie even mentioned. 00:50:11
The contract problems weren't with. 00:50:13
The Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department. The problem was with the Lanesville trustee not producing the contract over. 00:50:15
Well, the Lanesville trustee. 00:50:22
Isn't contemplated by the statute because you're not contracting by statute with the Lanesville trustee. 00:50:24
Unless. 00:50:29
Waynesville Township for. 00:50:30
Or the Waynesville government itself has its own fire department. 00:50:32
And that's not how Volunteer Fire departments typically work. They're typically their own organization. They typically run 00:50:35
themselves. They have their own leadership structure and things like that. 00:50:39
So, umm. 00:50:43
That's the next option and then the last option is simply to use money in the townships rainy day fund to cover whatever costs 00:50:44
come up. 00:50:48
That's kind of your save all of if nothing else is available to you, if you can't find a good contract to workout with a 00:50:52
neighboring community, if you don't want to pay for your own fire department, if you don't have a volunteer unit in the area. 00:50:58
You just make do with your rainy day fun. 00:51:05
So those are the options legally that are available to this Township under the statute. 00:51:07
And so in looking at what's on the table for us. 00:51:12
We would have to be in order to contract with the Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department. 00:51:16
The Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department as an entity would need to present us with a contract and whoever is the appropriate 00:51:20
legal signer for that entity. 00:51:25
Which presumably would be their chief. 00:51:29
Is who needs to be presenting that to us? Not the Lanesville trustee, not some other government actor in Lanesville, but whoever 00:51:31
is actually the responsible leader of the Volunteer Fire Department. 00:51:37
And so whereas Georgetown again, its Chief Banta and Chief Wiseman who are the responsible leaders at that particular 00:51:43
organization. 00:51:46
And then the fire district as the as the fund supplier through the Fire Protection district, that is who has presented us the 00:51:49
contract from Georgetown. So that is consistent with the clause that lets us contract with the neighboring. 00:51:55
Township or town that has its own fire department? 00:52:01
So after digging in there and reviewing it, checking with him. 00:52:07
Basically the nuts and bolts of what he just said is is. 00:52:12
This Township. 00:52:16
Per the Indiana code. 00:52:17
Hasn't been in compliance. 00:52:20
It is never. 00:52:23
Sign the contract with Lanesville. 00:52:25
Volunteer Fire Department. 00:52:27
Never. 00:52:28
I have reached out both ways. 00:52:32
The only thing I can tell you. 00:52:35
Is that is what was said in the Maze meeting? You guys were there? 00:52:37
That they were going to raise this year, 2025. 00:52:42
To $12,000. 00:52:47
For only the upper half. 00:52:49
Not including the lower half. 00:52:53
Georgetown has submitted to me $8000. 00:52:58
For all of Franklin Township. 00:53:02
The top and bottom. 00:53:05
And has mutual aid. 00:53:06
Ready to go? 00:53:09
All departments have agreed that if this contract is signed, they would move forward with the mutual aid agreements. 00:53:12
So this body. 00:53:19
Need to make a decision. 00:53:21
On what you all want to do. 00:53:23
We are out of contract. 00:53:27
And and before we go forward, and and. 00:53:38
Charlie had asked me to give the board a little bit more advice because the the concept of this fire district has been brought up 00:53:41
in public comment numerous times. 00:53:45
I do just want to advise the board. 00:53:49
About that as well and just make sure the law and that is abundantly clear and I think Commissioner Sharp was trying to help 00:53:51
educate you guys, but he had some limited public comment about that. So Indiana code allows. 00:53:56
Two different ways for Fire Protection districts to be made, and that's not a decision that this board has any power to make. 00:54:00
I think Ann and Donnie. 00:54:07
I know it's been a while so so you may not remember we talked about this, that meeting we had out at the. 00:54:09
Fire Department, it was the three or the four of us and Mr. Moody. 00:54:13
That there's two ways that the district can come and play. Number one is if enough. 00:54:18
Members, freeholders of property within Franklin Township decided that's what they wanted to do. They could sign a petition and 00:54:23
present that to the commissioners and move forward with. 00:54:27
Basically by your own decision as the people of Franklin Township to do that. 00:54:32
Obviously, a lot of you tonight feel very strongly that's not the way you're going to go. So I don't think by statute that you're 00:54:36
going to invoke that mechanism. 00:54:40
And that the that's all found just if anybody wants to go look up those statutes there in Indiana Code section 36. 00:54:43
Dash 8-11 is where all of the laws related to Fire Protection districts are located at. 00:54:50
The second way Fire Protection districts can come about is your county legislative body. 00:54:56
Which in Floyd County is the Floyd County Commission? 00:55:01
They have the power. 00:55:04
If they believe it is in the best interest to provide Fire Protection for a portion of the county. 00:55:06
To create. 00:55:11
Fire Protection District. 00:55:12
And then appoint trustees over that district who they then entrust. 00:55:14
To supervise the collection of the taxes and the Fire Protection responsibilities. 00:55:18
And if that happens? 00:55:23
We don't know that that's going to happen and that is not a decision this board gets to make, but I need this board. 00:55:26
To be properly advised to do my job. 00:55:30
If if we as the Township leaders do not effectively fire protect. 00:55:33
The people. 00:55:38
Or if the Commissioners do not adequately feel like. 00:55:40
We as the Township have done that job. 00:55:42
They have the authority under that statute to create a Fire Protection district. 00:55:45
And if they do that? 00:55:49
That supersedes this township's ability to make that decision for itself. The Fire Protection district at that point in time will 00:55:51
make all Fire Protection decisions for Franklin Township. The Fire Protection district will decide the tax levy. They'll work with 00:55:56
the Department of Local Government Finance to figure out what that tax levy would look like. 00:56:01
They would then get to decide how they want to provide it. So it would be up to whoever the commissioners appoint to decide. Do 00:56:07
they want to have their own fire department? Do they want to contract with some other entity? Do they want to potentially enter 00:56:11
into a fire territory down the road? 00:56:16
But. 00:56:21
You are the three individuals. 00:56:22
Who have been elected or appoint, or the four individuals who've either been elected or appointed? 00:56:24
To represent the people. 00:56:28
So right now, the ball is in your court. The statutes have given you the power to do this. 00:56:31
But I wanted to make it abundantly clear to you. 00:56:36
The statutes do give the commissioners the ability to kind of keep an eye on this. 00:56:39
And make sure that they are satisfied that the people at Franklin Township have appropriate Fire Protection. 00:56:43
And so. 00:56:49
Hopefully, if you have any legal questions on that process, I'm happy to answer, but I just wanted you all to know because there's 00:56:51
been a lot of people talking about this idea of a fire district. That is not something you all can consider tonight. 00:56:56
But it is something that if we don't make a decision, the commissioners may well do and take all of this out of our hands. We 00:57:01
don't consider anything on a fire district. 00:57:05
Correct. 00:57:09
I'd like to make a few comments about that. 00:57:11
Two other things that I forgot to mention. 00:57:15
Is uh. 00:57:19
The one of the other benefits of Georgetown. 00:57:20
Georgetown. 00:57:23
Would get dispatched by Floyd County. 00:57:25
So there wouldn't be a delay. 00:57:28
Of communications to Harrison County to dispatch. 00:57:30
Waynesville. I've heard runtimes count. 00:57:34
Seconds count, minutes count. 00:57:39
That is also. 00:57:41
Another factor to take in consideration, they're being dispatched by Floyd County. 00:57:44
And it's a as soon as the dispatch made, it's an immediate response. 00:57:49
Because they are there on station, they are 24/7, 365 days the year. 00:57:54
The other thing too, for every homeowner. 00:58:00
And property owner in Franklin. 00:58:04
Is also to the point. 00:58:06
That you need to call your insurance company. 00:58:08
And see if Georgetown saving you money. 00:58:11
On your. 00:58:14
Homeowners. 00:58:15
We are paid by. 00:58:17
We are providing service right now for last year from a paid fire department. 00:58:20
They also had mutual aid. 00:58:25
And they are also being dispatched by Floyd County. 00:58:28
And not be in. 00:58:31
Taken over by Harrison County, so I encourage you house homeowners out there. 00:58:33
Make that phone call to your agent. Go ahead, Angel. 00:58:38
Charlie, can you explain? 00:58:41
About the dispatch problem with Lanesville, that was the that was when we all started. 00:58:43
What's the problem with the communication system with Lanesville and Floyd County where there's a disconnect? 00:58:48
So what was discussed in that, in that May meeting with all of us there? 00:58:55
Lanesville cannot communicate with any emergency service in Floyd County. 00:59:03
That's fire, police or EMS. 00:59:09
Harrison County went to and I'm not a guru on this. I guess Floyd County's on 800. 00:59:13
And Harrison County went to a 700, which I guess is a lower band. 00:59:20
But they cannot communicate with each other. 00:59:25
The chief out there at Lanesville also said that was a barrier. 00:59:28
And Georgetown Fire Department also said that was a barrier. 00:59:32
In between the two departments and that causes a bigger problem. 00:59:37
On scene for accountability. 00:59:42
And making sure people are safe. 00:59:44
The other part is is as I said. I thought I stated earlier. 00:59:47
When you call 911, it'll go to Floyd County. 00:59:51
Floyd County takes the information and decides if it's. 00:59:55
Who gets dispatched? 00:59:59
So it might be an EMS run and Floyd County is going to dispatch our EMS provider. 01:00:01
But then they're going to have to call the Harrison County. 01:00:07
Harrison County is going to have to look it up in the box book. 01:00:11
To make a dispatch on Waynesville. 01:00:14
That takes them minutes out. 01:00:17
Because at that point in time, EMS. 01:00:20
And 1st responders are being dispatched at the same time. 01:00:24
Does that answer your question? 01:00:27
I wanted to share because. 01:00:31
A couple concerns on my mind. 01:00:32
I wanted to talk about townships. 01:00:35
Because I know there's been talk in Indiana to eliminate townships. 01:00:37
And you know, in America, this is the beauty of America. 01:00:42
Is that we get to represent ourselves in our own little small. 01:00:46
Places where we live, and I love townships because. 01:00:51
That's what this is. We're all neighbors here. We're all concerned about getting good. 01:00:54
Care with ambulance services and fire. 01:00:59
So we get to come and talk about. 01:01:02
How are we all going to be the safest right here in our little bitty Township? 01:01:04
And it's beautiful. And I'm it's, it's something great that we can do. 01:01:09
I don't ever want to lose townships and I also don't want. 01:01:14
I think we all can agree we don't really want county commissioners coming in here. 01:01:18
Telling us how they're going to protect us with fire. 01:01:23
It really is better a decision to be made on a much smaller local level, so. 01:01:27
I'm really glad for this process and I did want to say one thing to the gentleman. 01:01:32
Who's been a volunteer for decades at Lanesville? You know Lanesville is a great neighbor. Come on, they're our neighbor. We love 01:01:38
Lanesville. 01:01:42
And we all love let sometimes we kind of think we actually live in Lanesville and many of us have Lanesville addresses. 01:01:46
And at one time we were part of Harrison County in Lanesville, but we're not anymore. We're in Floyd. But I wanted to say. 01:01:53
To the man who's been working so hard for decades saving our lives, thank you first of all. 01:02:00
But when we went down and talked to the Lanesville Fire Department. 01:02:05
And and the guys were very great. 01:02:09
You know they had a concern. 01:02:11
We're a Volunteer Fire Department and in America today. 01:02:12
Volunteer organizations are struggling. 01:02:16
We don't have. 01:02:20
Guys like. 01:02:21
Him in the back row who have put 45 years of much of their personal life to volunteer to help us. 01:02:23
You know, volunteerism is not something. 01:02:31
That's as popular as it was many decades ago, so. 01:02:35
A Volunteer Fire Department. 01:02:38
Is struggling to find people to save us, to help us to show up to. 01:02:40
Come in for the training. 01:02:46
So that is a concern I have is that. 01:02:48
You know, with Georgetown paid. 01:02:50
And all these people, 13 people, Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00. There's a lot of people there. We've got mutual aid coming. 01:02:52
Versus volunteer that that concerns me. 01:02:59
Just wanted to share that. 01:03:03
I have a comment. 01:03:07
It's on. 01:03:12
OK, um. 01:03:17
On this thing with Mr. Sharp. 01:03:22
You made it public. Safety has to be spent within the county. 01:03:26
He would like to explore. 01:03:31
The formation. 01:03:34
Of a fire district in Franklin. 01:03:35
Sharp expects. 01:03:40
To have conversations with Franklin Township Board to explore options. 01:03:43
We could say, you know why? 01:03:48
If this is the path. 01:03:51
That they choose to take. 01:03:53
They're like their elective representatives. 01:03:55
And so be it. 01:03:59
Or we could create a fire district. Any sent essentially. 01:04:01
Take it out of the hands. 01:04:06
He said. 01:04:08
He said an obligation to ensure that the people of Floyd County are receiving. 01:04:09
Proper service. 01:04:15
Sharp said. 01:04:16
I'm gonna tell you right now. 01:04:19
Franklin Township is a small. 01:04:22
Township. 01:04:25
We don't have that many people. 01:04:27
We cannot afford. 01:04:29
To go in a district. 01:04:32
We need to keep our Township. 01:04:34
As is. 01:04:37
We can afford to raise our taxes a little bit. 01:04:39
But we don't have to go outrageous amounts. 01:04:42
And to the other part. 01:04:46
I think that we need to. 01:04:49
OK, the. 01:04:51
Fire departments that are close to our area. 01:04:53
Not 13 to 15 miles away. 01:04:57
I want. I know New Albany Township takes care of the Bottoms. 01:05:00
Which is. 01:05:05
Of Hwy. 111. 01:05:07
And I know that. 01:05:10
Georgetown can take care of parts of. 01:05:12
Floyd County. 01:05:17
But to me. 01:05:19
The closer the fire department is to us. 01:05:21
The better off we're going to be. 01:05:23
And it's for our people because we're older. 01:05:26
There's not that many of us. 01:05:31
The houses are not going to be. 01:05:34
Just like that, you have to go through a whole ordeal. 01:05:36
And I don't think see that much growth in our area coming. 01:05:41
So. 01:05:47
I would like to make a motion to keep the Franklin Township Advisory Board Committee. 01:05:48
In charge of fire services for the Township. 01:05:54
And continue fire services. 01:05:58
For our area. 01:06:00
As needed. 01:06:02
From these these closed areas. 01:06:04
So I would like to keep. 01:06:09
New Albany Township for. 01:06:12
Down at Bottoms Elizabeth Park Township. 01:06:14
Fire Department. 01:06:18
For up to. 01:06:20
Guess why? Guess Wine Road and. 01:06:22
Lanesville. 01:06:26
For the other area. 01:06:28
And that's what I'm bringing before the board. 01:06:29
Are you bringing that in a motion? 01:06:32
Yes, I am. 01:06:33
So. 01:06:35
New Albany Township is not going to cover the lower half. 01:06:36
Because they are having Georgetown cover the lower half. 01:06:39
Elizabeth. 01:06:44
Elizabeth would have to have a signed contract. 01:06:46
With our Township. 01:06:50
Just to let you know. 01:06:52
So and to, to get your motion, I think in, in proper, I think probably what you're asking is that you would want to because 01:06:53
Charlie as the trustee would be the one that have to go out and and basically negotiate that contract and bring it back to you 01:06:59
guys. I think what you're procedurally asking is. 01:07:04
For what your preference would be would be for the trustee to engage in negotiations with New Albany Township and Elizabeth for 01:07:10
the bottom part of the county of the Township and Lanesville for the top part of the Township. Is that what your motion is at this 01:07:15
point? Yes, it is. And, and just to be clear, understanding to Charlie's point. 01:07:21
We do not currently have contracts and that based on his conversations, he is not. 01:07:28
Optimistic that we would receive those contracts, but you're saying you want that explored before any vote on the Georgetown 01:07:32
contract? Yes, OK. 01:07:36
So. 01:07:40
Just to make sure our record is clear on that, Miss Trustee, the motion that's on the floor from Ann is a motion. 01:07:40
To table New Albany or table the Georgetown contract and to explore a contract with New Albany Township and Elizabeth for the 01:07:45
bottom portion and Lanesville for the top portion of Franklinton Township. 01:07:51
Yes, it is. 01:07:57
You know, I'll make a motion. 01:08:03
The second there's a motion. 01:08:04
Already on the table, All right second. 01:08:06
And I like to thank Mikey House for putting in 45 years of service. That's a long time. 01:08:10
And I'm noting. 01:08:16
Got all my life and he's a wonderful guy. 01:08:18
And so is the fire department. 01:08:20
Like you said earlier, Charlie, we would need to talk with the Lanesville Fire Department chief to get him to sign the contract. 01:08:23
If that's the what the law requires. 01:08:29
We'll get with Mike and we'll see if we can get it done. 01:08:31
And like I said, I prefer to stay with Lanesville. Nothing against Georgetown. 01:08:35
But from what I've seen, no. 01:08:39
It's too far away. 01:08:42
Everybody in our community. 01:08:44
And on the Waynesville Fire Department. 01:08:47
They noticed their name. They know exactly where we're at. 01:08:49
And they know how to deal with the situation. 01:08:52
I won't go into it with Georgetown. We had a fire on Smith Creek with it. I don't know what went wrong there. 01:08:55
But from what I was told by witnesses, the house could have not burned as bad as it did. 01:09:00
But it's because Georgetown has way too big of ladder track to get up a little narrow Dr. and the Hills Hall is so steep you do 01:09:06
well to get up it with an ordinary vehicle. 01:09:10
Blanche got up the hill from when I was told with no issues. 01:09:15
I prefer to go back with Waynesville. 01:09:19
That's my motion. 01:09:22
That you just seconded and put that. 01:09:24
In in. 01:09:27
So I don't know where you're getting your information. 01:09:29
Because I was on Smith Creek. 01:09:32
Waynesville did not have. 01:09:37
A fire truck up on top of the hill. 01:09:39
Georgetown did have their engine going up the hill. 01:09:41
There was wire issues so they could not get up to the top of the hill. 01:09:45
They pulled hoes. Hold on. 01:09:49
I'm answering. 01:09:52
They pulled hoes. 01:09:54
I'm not going to say because I'm no longer a fireman. 01:09:57
But I'm going to say that they done the best job they can and there was a lot of the house still standing. 01:10:01
Yes, there was, but. 01:10:08
Basically, why would you send a ladder truck that big out on a little run like that? There was number ladder truck was number 01:10:10
ladder truck. There was number ladder truck. This information I was given. 01:10:14
But still if it's a communication line. 01:10:19
Do what? They have the authority to go ahead and tear it down and get to the emergency scene. 01:10:22
I can't answer that question. 01:10:28
I'm not a firefighter. 01:10:31
But. 01:10:33
Like I said, I would think that they wouldn't want to grab ahold of a wire up here is. 01:10:34
You know, high voltage line if it's just a telephone line or cable. 01:10:40
You ain't gonna get electrocuted with that. 01:10:43
They got the proper gear, they can go up and snip and take it off or. 01:10:45
Whatever, but. 01:10:49
No, I want to stick with Waynesville. 01:10:51
Like I said, I have nothing against George challenges other than from what I've seen when I visit the station. 01:10:53
Their trucks are just way too big for our area. 01:10:58
Like I said, Smith Creek and the places, it's hardly 11 foot wide. 01:11:02
And the road? 01:11:06
Given away and I've been with Jason Sharp. 01:11:08
I've been with the county garage. 01:11:10
They don't seem like they care about the road out there. 01:11:14
I don't know what's going on. 01:11:17
I had a walkthrough with Jason. 01:11:18
I had it with the. 01:11:21
Floyd County. 01:11:22
Guy from the garage tool. 01:11:23
He said he would take care of issues. 01:11:25
Nothing that's been took care of. There's a tree that's a Sycamore. It's leaning. 01:11:28
At about a 60° angle. Now it's at a 45. 01:11:33
There's no way a fire truck get past it. 01:11:36
When I meet a school bus on that road. 01:11:38
I got to come to a complete stop. 01:11:40
So the school bus can swerve around the tree. 01:11:42
And you can see where the tree's been hit several times by other bigger vehicles. 01:11:45
But umm. 01:11:48
No, Wayne's got the smaller equipment. 01:11:49
And we've had it for years, since 1992. 01:11:52
We've never had an issue with them. 01:11:55
Up to a couple years ago we could not get a contract signed. 01:11:58
By their Township trustee. 01:12:01
But if we have to go through. 01:12:03
And get a contract signed by the chief. 01:12:05
That's the way we need to go and stick with them. 01:12:07
That's all got to say, Charlie. 01:12:11
Any other input? Any other input? 01:12:14
So I just want to make sure. 01:12:17
Because obviously I might have to review the contract for you guys and bring it to you for your final approval. 01:12:20
Is the board's position on this. 01:12:25
That. 01:12:27
Once Charlie is able to go out and negotiate these things and bring back whatever contracts, if any, he's able to get from 01:12:29
Elizabeth Georgetown to cover the lower bottom. 01:12:33
Well, my understanding of the contract, Charlie, correct me if I'm wrong on this is a Georgetown's offer is to cover both the top 01:12:37
and the bottom right now. 01:12:40
That well Georgetown, yes, for for a total of $8000. 01:12:44
So, uh. 01:12:48
If I'm hearing the motion correctly, that's why I just wanna make sure we're completely clear before you guys cast your votes on 01:12:49
this, and so that I understand what my job is going to be when this all said and done. 01:12:53
Is Charlie is your motion and and the Donnie you're seconding is for Charlie to negotiate out? 01:12:58
Basically, what are the alternatives that a combination service through New Albany Township Elizabeth for the bottom? 01:13:04
And Lanesville for the top could put together present those contracts to you guys at an at a subsequent meeting down the road. And 01:13:10
then at that point in time, you guys can review that side by side with Georgetown, compare apples to apples basically. And at that 01:13:16
point in time vote on which provider or providers the board would approve to execute. 01:13:22
Am I correct on that? 01:13:29
Yes. 01:13:31
Yes. 01:13:33
Thank you. 01:13:36
Any further? 01:13:39
Is New Albany going to open up the other fire station down on Bud Rd. 01:13:42
Or it's on? It's unclear at this time I don't have any. 01:13:46
Right now, New Albany Township is coming from 31. 01:13:51
In County Line Rd. 01:13:55
Up by Sellersburg. 01:13:57
OK. 01:13:58
I don't know, Jason, do you know anything they. 01:13:59
On that, they're gonna. 01:14:03
That's the reason why Georgetown's covering the bottom half for New Albany Township. 01:14:05
But are. 01:14:11
Yeah. 01:14:13
No. 01:14:16
On the Florida. 01:14:18
Down. Are they going to eventually open it or are they still in negotiations? See if it can be repaired to reopen. 01:14:19
OK. All right. Got that clearly. 01:14:26
All right, and and. 01:14:30
Mr. Trustee, members of the Board, I would just ask maybe just given the time sensitive nature of this, because we don't have a 01:14:32
contract in place right now that we probably go ahead and set. 01:14:36
A deadline for the submission from those from any other departments we're going to consider so that we have another meeting. The 01:14:41
public knows that this is being acted on timely. 01:14:45
And that way you all have have the Peace of Mind that that you can get together quickly and review those things. 01:14:50
Do we have our next meeting scheduled, Charlie? I can't remember off time. I don't think we do yet. 01:14:56
That we say that we have amend the motion to say that those bids to be submitted by our next meeting that's going to be scheduled 01:15:01
at the conclusion of this meeting. 01:15:05
And would you be agreeable to amending your motion to include that provision? Yes, I would. And Donnie, would you be amenable to 01:15:09
seconding the motion as amended? 01:15:13
Yes, OK. 01:15:17
And that way, Mr. Commissioner, Mr. Trustee, that way, you know, we've got. 01:15:18
Time and if Lanesville. 01:15:22
Doesn't want to. 01:15:24
Does or doesn't want to submit a bid in that New Albany Township or Elizabeth because it sounds like you have some concerns about 01:15:25
will they then we can communicate to them. We have to have those bids by such and such date and this board can act appropriately 01:15:29
to make sure the people. 01:15:33
Know what their options are and who was willing to play ball with us and who wasn't. 01:15:36
And they need to be for your contracts. 01:15:40
Not half a year contracts, Yes, full full calendar year contracts. I know last year we kind of did a partial year because we were 01:15:43
just kind of up in the wind at that point in time. But everything needs to be year to year contracts at that point. 01:15:49
Any other further discussion? 01:15:57
Let me ask you about that amendment. I I would like so you did you say? 01:16:02
That if we're going to take. 01:16:06
I have to share. 01:16:08
That this is what we've been doing on this board for. 01:16:09
A over a year. 01:16:13
Is comparing apples to apples. That's what we've been doing. We've gathered tremendous amounts of facts. 01:16:17
And we have been looking. 01:16:24
At these comparisons. 01:16:25
So we've done a lot of work to get where we are today. 01:16:27
But are you saying that if Charlie is going to go out and ask Lanesville for a contract that they have to provide it for us within 01:16:32
30 days and we can reconvene and vote on this in 30 days? 01:16:38
I think that's what I would advise, advise the four of you to do is and that way we've got something in writing from each of them 01:16:44
so that it's not just Lanesville told us A and. 01:16:49
Forbes you might hear something different from a verbal conversation. We've got the document right in front of us that we can 01:16:55
compare, that the public can lay eyes on and see exactly what the terms of Waynesville's offer would be. 01:17:00
Versus what Georgetown's offer would be versus what New Albany townships. And that way it's it's as clear as clear can be. 01:17:05
As a lawyer, I can then do my job of reviewing the terms of it, make sure everything in it complies with all the records that 01:17:11
statutory requirements and things like that to advise you guys of anything on that. And then at the next meeting, you guys can 01:17:16
take a vote on which contractor contracts you believe is the most appropriate ones. 01:17:21
That would be my advice at this point. 01:17:26
OK, well we have to have the Langeville Fire Chief. 01:17:28
They would have to be the one to sign it. Either that or something providing that that they are organized to where the trustee has 01:17:31
a witness, statutory trustee and there could get nowhere with him. 01:17:35
What you said earlier, we can go around him and go through. 01:17:40
The Fire Chief to get it. 01:17:43
Contract sent, right. The the statute says that we have to contract directly with the Volunteer Fire Department. So unless they 01:17:45
have done something in their organization, in their organizing documents or something like that to give the trustee the power to 01:17:50
contract for them, by statute it would have to be whoever. 01:17:55
So for example, a lot of Volunteer Fire departments set up for themselves a non profit corporation or something like that and then 01:18:00
they appoint a Fire Chief as the CEO or something like that. I don't, I, I don't know how Waynesville has set itself up, but 01:18:05
however, as a business entity, Lanesville has set itself up. 01:18:10
Whoever is at the top of the pyramid on that particular organization is who we would have to have signing that contract. OK, so. 01:18:16
Any other discussion? 01:18:26
All in favor. 01:18:30
All in favor. 01:18:31
Raise your hand. 01:18:33
All opposed. 01:18:34
Are you going to? 01:18:39
I want to make it clear that. 01:18:42
They have 30 days. 01:18:44
And we have I want to ask. 01:18:45
We're all in agreement that. 01:18:48
If we do this. 01:18:50
In 30 days we have this all in writing. We get to look at this with our eyes and make a vote in 30 days. 01:18:52
And that that is my understanding as I've tried to word it out and explain the motion that Ann has made the motion. And Donna 01:18:59
second it is, is we're only considering in 30 days. 01:19:03
The on paper proposals submitted by everybody and if they don't want to submit an on paper proposal. 01:19:07
They're not going to be in consideration in 30 days. Am I correct in my understanding of that, Anne? 01:19:13
OK. 01:19:17
So I vote for the 30 days. So motion passes. 01:19:23
All right, moving. 01:19:27
Moving right along. 01:19:28
Don't need to go ahead and search. 01:19:33
The next meeting. 01:19:36
OK. 01:19:37
We got January. How about? 01:19:41
In April. 01:19:44
Since we was just. 01:19:47
Well, we can go. 01:19:50
Quicker 30 days from now, so how about March? 01:19:52
I don't know what day the about 15th it would fall on. 01:19:57
Yeah. 01:20:01
Yeah. With February, that's going to technically be 28 days, so would put us on the 12th. So if you wanted to look at March 19th, 01:20:05
that puts us just beyond that 30 days to make sure we've got all of our written submissions at that point done. OK, I'll be fine. 01:20:12
I will have to check to see if this room is available. 01:20:24
March 13th. 01:20:29
March 13 or March 12? 01:20:31
Or nineteen. 19th was 19th was the Wednesday. Assuming that that's the day of the week that works best for everybody. 19th is 01:20:34
Wednesday. 01:20:38
16 minutes out of the 12. 01:20:46
The 19th right? 01:20:47
And just as a reminder to the board. 01:20:48
I mentioned this Donnie to you while we were before we came on the record. Starting July 1st, the General Assembly requires us for 01:20:51
all of our public meetings to have them live streamed and recorded. 01:20:56
So going forward, for the folks who are in attendance tonight, we will probably start having all of our official Franklin Township 01:21:01
meetings here at Pineview since it is set up to allow us to do this. 01:21:06
Don't you want to change the? 01:21:12
And we can have it 6:00. 01:21:16
Clock. 01:21:17
Should I read with you, Anne? 01:21:20
Yeah. 01:21:24
And you have to check and see if we can get the. 01:21:28
Building here. 01:21:30
Charlie and I'll check with Suzanne on that, Donnie for you. 01:21:33
That's all the business that I have. 01:21:38
That's all the business that we have on the agenda. 01:21:44
I have a motion to adjourn. 01:21:46
We'll make a motion to turn. Do I have a second? 01:21:49
2nd. 01:21:52
Second, all in favor? 01:21:53
It's adjourned. 01:21:58
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Press record. 00:00:00
And then stop. 00:00:01
Hello, Cortana. 00:00:03
I don't know if I'm gonna say anything or not, but I want to put it on there. 00:00:08
Needed, right? 00:00:11
My wifes fault. 00:00:21
I'm in different on sports. 00:00:27
You good, you good. 00:00:31
Good, good. 00:00:34
How are you of L franchise UK fan, Unsubstantiated Cardinals fan. 00:00:37
Yeah, she bought me this shirt cause. 00:00:45
Her parents have season tickets and then we can go. 00:00:48
I'm gonna go ahead and call the meeting of the Franklin Township Board and Trustee meeting for February the 12th to order. Please 00:00:52
rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. 00:00:57
I pledge allegiance to the flag. 00:01:07
Of the United States of America. 00:01:09
And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation. 00:01:11
Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:01:16
All right. 00:01:23
Roll call. 00:01:26
Don Jiggle. 00:01:28
Yes. Is your mic on done? 00:01:29
Yes. 00:01:34
And high camper. 00:01:35
Angela Thompson. 00:01:40
Here. 00:01:42
All board members are present. 00:01:43
Before we jump into the public comment. 00:01:46
I do want to address 2 things real quick. 00:01:50
Number one. 00:01:54
The fire territory I took off the table in January. 00:01:55
That way we were not engaged and we have not been engaged. 00:02:00
In the fire territory talks going forward. 00:02:04
And did not engage. 00:02:07
In the first meeting of the Bar territory. 00:02:09
The second thing I want to address is this board. Nor does this trustee. 00:02:12
Have any power over of a fire district? 00:02:18
That is a Commissioner driven article. 00:02:21
That takes up from the Commission. 00:02:24
If a resident wants to start a petition. 00:02:27
A petition can circulate to form a fire district. 00:02:30
That is the only two ways that can happen. This board has no insight to that. 00:02:35
The first one. 00:02:43
Our first public speaker will be Connie Moon. 00:02:48
And Mr. Trustee, are we timing them at 3 minutes per? 00:02:51
Public speaker tonight. 00:02:55
3 minutes. 00:02:56
So I will give each public speaker just kind of a high sign when you've got about a minute left on your time. 00:02:58
Honeymoon. 00:03:06
Franklin Township. 00:03:08
I understand that the territory is a debt issue at this point. 00:03:10
However, I do want to stress. 00:03:13
That I'm disappointed that the only option giving Franklin Township a seat at the table was dismissed. 00:03:15
By the hopes of retaining lanes for Volunteer Fire. 00:03:22
Are you aware? 00:03:25
That Lanesville Fire does not hold any emergency medical certifications. 00:03:27
This prevents them from being able to administer medicines. 00:03:32
Or privatic. 00:03:36
Actions for emergency medical situations. 00:03:37
Think about that for a minute. 00:03:41
There's no emergency medical certifications. 00:03:43
Statistically 70%. 00:03:46
The first responder runs. 00:03:49
Our medical in nature. 00:03:51
Are you aware that they don't have the ability to communicate directly with our dispatch? 00:03:53
Or are. 00:03:58
Our fire departments within our county. 00:03:58
This seems to be inefficient in the time of an emergency. 00:04:01
Are you also aware that in a public meeting? 00:04:06
It was stated that Lanesville Fire is not interested in making drug overdose phone calls or. 00:04:08
Runs umm. 00:04:14
Regardless of your feelings. 00:04:16
About humans who struggle with drug addiction. 00:04:18
Emergency responders must put those feelings aside to assist the public during all. 00:04:21
Emergency situations. 00:04:25
A drug call doesn't necessarily mean it's an illegal substance. 00:04:28
This type of call could include an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication. 00:04:33
By a child's physician. 00:04:38
If an emergency responder shows up to a scene. 00:04:41
I would expect that they would take control of the entire scene. 00:04:44
Including the patient. 00:04:47
And not leave community members to continue with life saving CPR measures. 00:04:49
I would also expect. 00:04:55
That they would be certified. 00:04:56
To perform said techniques. 00:04:58
Or administer those basic medicines. 00:05:00
Franklin Township. 00:05:03
Has been disregarded with employee county for far too one minute. 00:05:05
I believe that we are just as entitled to state-of-the-art fire and EMS as the rest of the county. 00:05:09
This is why I got involved in the first place. 00:05:14
We're a tight knit community. Despite being spread out over a large area, there are many who will drop. 00:05:16
What they're doing at the. 00:05:22
At the drop of a hat to lend a hand. 00:05:24
To others in need. 00:05:26
We deserve better than what we got. 00:05:27
I want to encourage you to contract with Georgetown. 00:05:30
From 2025 of the current gracious rate. 00:05:33
That they're giving us. 00:05:36
And re engage in talks regarding a territory. 00:05:38
Let's keep the money within Floyd County. 00:05:41
And be able to say we're getting what we're paying for. 00:05:43
Let's have a seat at the tape. 00:05:45
Thank you. 00:05:48
Our next speaker will be Donna Hubler. 00:05:54
Donna Hoover, Franklin Township. 00:06:02
I wanted to state that I am opposed to the fire district or the fire territory. We've been taxed. 00:06:05
In so many ways, and we know there's so much, so many more taxes coming our way in Floyd County. 00:06:11
The income tax rate that increased just in January for our paychecks. I thought, why did I? Why did my paycheck go down? 00:06:16
It's a tax increase that I was not aware of. 00:06:25
I have questions for you on the board and for all of you. Franklin Township, pay the 8000 for six months of the year or for the 00:06:28
full year. 00:06:33
In June of last year. 00:06:39
It was the contract for six or 12 months. I understand we don't have a contract now, correct? 00:06:42
So. 00:06:47
We were without fire service for 20/23. 00:06:49
And into 2024. 00:06:53
With no signed contract. 00:06:55
The contract was signed for $8000 to finish the year out. 00:06:57
To December the 31st, 2024. 00:07:01
OK, so they were painting. So Georgetown was paid 8000 then? 00:07:04
It was and. 00:07:08
The other reason why the 8000 was paid out? 00:07:10
Georgetown was protecting all of Franklin Township, including the bottom half. 00:07:13
We did not pay any money to any other fire departments. 00:07:18
For the coverage of the bottom half. 00:07:21
So and we're working. So we don't have a contract for 2025 yet and that's. 00:07:25
I do prefer that we have a contract. 00:07:29
I also wanted to state, too, that I did reach out. Mr. Sharp had suggested that I reach out to the Volunteer Fire or to the 00:07:33
Georgetown Fire Department about how many runs that they had made. 00:07:39
The quarterly total. 00:07:45
Were there were only. 00:07:47
23 runs, one for fire. 00:07:48
24 I assume it's motor vehicle accident. 16 for medical for for others. 00:07:52
And then yearly total for the for the year was a 44, which I assume was during six months only. 00:07:58
Since that's when Georgetown started responding. But I don't I don't have the actual what was your? 00:08:05
What was your numbers again? 00:08:12
2314. 00:08:14
Fire 2 for moving vehicle accident, 16 for medical or for other. 00:08:16
Was that the fourth quarter or the third quarter? 00:08:22
Was October to December, Yeah. 00:08:26
So I just got the fourth quarter. 00:08:29
At the beginning of January. 00:08:31
The yearly totals. 00:08:34
For Franklin Township. 00:08:37
Was one fire. 00:08:40
4 motor vehicle accidents. 00:08:43
I see that as a yearly total. 00:08:46
I'm sorry it is yearly total. 00:08:48
32 for medical. 00:08:50
Total and seven. 00:08:52
For all other. 00:08:54
In that yearly total did not start until June. That's just. 00:08:56
But still, it's only 44, you know, and I'm thinking. 00:09:01
What are these? 00:09:05
Firemen doing the rest of the time, you know, if we had our own fire district. 00:09:06
Territory. 00:09:12
Either one. 00:09:13
Or I guess the territory wouldn't matter as much as if we had our own district. You know what? What are they doing? 00:09:14
And I did happen to look at on this report, the number of training hours that Station 1 and Station 2 are doing. 00:09:20
Means in in the quarter alone they did 1000 hours of training, which is I know they need that. 00:09:26
But I'm just saying one minute remaining. 00:09:33
One minute. Yes, ma'am. 00:09:35
The other thing I wanted to say, I personally prefer lanes of Volunteer Fire Department. 00:09:39
I want someone who, when the call comes in that they are going to know the roads, they're going to know where they're going, a lot 00:09:44
of them. 00:09:47
I just don't know that Georgetown knows the area like Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department does, but they know the people. 00:09:51
And I think that makes a difference and. 00:09:58
Making sure they bring the right equipment. 00:10:00
To handle the situation that they're dealing with. 00:10:02
Thank you. 00:10:06
Thank you, ma'am. 00:10:13
And just to be clear, for any future speakers, if we have a board member or the trustee who chooses to engage with you, I am 00:10:13
pausing your time. 00:10:17
And not resuming the time until you're back to to speaking any comments you have to try to preserve your time so that. 00:10:21
Any interactions you're having or not eating into the time for whatever you wanted to say tonight. 00:10:27
With that, our next speaker is Richard Haller. 00:10:32
Good evening. 00:10:43
I'm looking at the. 00:10:47
Pages from the slide presentation from the Commissioner's Office. 00:10:49
And according to it, our current tax levy is .0. 00:10:54
383. 00:10:59
In Franklin County. 00:11:01
And understand that. 00:11:04
Mr. Moon just said that. 00:11:07
Territories not under consideration anymore. 00:11:10
So it leaves the district. 00:11:13
Well, the district is point. 00:11:17
165. 00:11:19
Which is. 00:11:20
Right at 47 or 43 times. 00:11:21
Our present. 00:11:25
Now I'm not. I don't like taxes, but I don't mind paying a little bit taxes if I get some. 00:11:28
I live just over 7 1/2 miles from the Georgetown Park. 00:11:35
And I figure from the time that I make a call. 00:11:39
So the water starts getting put on my house. It's going to be right at 15 minutes. 00:11:43
Today. 00:11:49
If my taxes increase substantially and I make a call. 00:11:50
It's still going to be the same 15 minutes. 00:11:56
That's the main service that I'm concerned about. 00:11:59
On your you said the fire district level? 00:12:06
On that slide presentation was one point. 00:12:11
61.6595. 00:12:13
That was on the fire district. 00:12:16
Yes. 00:12:18
That slide that is in there. 00:12:18
That slide was put in the PowerPoint program. 00:12:21
To show what the highest level was. 00:12:25
To show that in the notes above that. 00:12:28
That even said at that level. 00:12:32
We would not be able to purchase land. 00:12:34
Building the fire station, pursing the fire engine or other equipment. 00:12:36
Firefighter out, firefighter turn out gear and Sebas. 00:12:41
That was put in. 00:12:45
To show that if we went to a fire district, we couldn't even afford it anyway. Paying higher taxes. 00:12:47
That was not proposed. 00:12:53
That was not proposed because this board. 00:12:55
Does not have anything to do with the fire district. 00:12:58
We had the opportunity for a fire territory. 00:13:02
The board decided to go a different direction. 00:13:05
Are there any state mandates? 00:13:08
That they say we must choose one or the other. 00:13:10
Can we remain the way we are now? 00:13:13
I'll get into that at the later part. 00:13:16
Of this meeting. 00:13:18
Alrighty. 00:13:19
Thank you, Sir. 00:13:27
Our next speaker is. 00:13:28
Andy Wright. 00:13:31
First off, I want to thank you guys for not going with the fire district or the fire territory. 00:13:38
Voting as a group. 00:13:44
Main reason I came out here tonight was to let you know that I'm opposed to. 00:13:46
Either one of those. 00:13:50
Which would increase our taxes. 00:13:52
And I don't feel like we would get any better service down in that part of the county. 00:13:54
I don't feel like the Franklin Township. 00:13:59
You guys all live right there with me. 00:14:01
We're kind of like the forgotten part of the county. 00:14:04
So again, if we're not going to get any better services, why would we pay any more money? 00:14:06
As far as? 00:14:13
You know another thing I would. 00:14:14
Like to know was you know what, what is our plan for 2025 as far as Fire Protection? 00:14:16
Thank you for saying that. And that is actually in the new business. So we'll go over that in new business. 00:14:23
I appreciate that. 00:14:30
Thank you, Sir. 00:14:38
Our next speaker, and I apologize if I mispronounced this last name, is it Vince Stilger or Stilger? 00:14:39
Hard G or soft G on that, Sir? 00:14:46
Thank you very much. 00:14:48
Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to address you all regarding this situation and matter. 00:14:51
My wife and I, Melanie, we live at 7925 Hines Rd. 00:14:56
Just across the Harrison County line. 00:15:02
We're 2.3 miles from. 00:15:04
Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department. 00:15:08
Response time of about. 00:15:10
5 minutes. 00:15:12
Georgetown Fire Department on Cordon Ridge Rd. is about. 00:15:13
6 1/2 miles away, 1011 minutes. 00:15:17
Response time. 00:15:20
I'm not a mathematician, but I do have some common sense. 00:15:22
And uh. 00:15:25
I think I would much rather prefer Lanesville response time to Georgetown. 00:15:27
Fire department in that regard. 00:15:33
Secondly. 00:15:36
There's about 10. 00:15:41
States that pay a lower medium property tax rate. 00:15:42
Then the state of Indiana does. 00:15:48
About 10 States and our our property taxes. 00:15:51
In comparison, nationally are. 00:15:54
Not that high, however. 00:15:57
When you break it down by counting. 00:15:59
In the state of Indiana, there's 92 counties. 00:16:02
All right, Floyd County ranks 13th. 00:16:06
Pay the 13th highest taxes property taxes in. 00:16:09
In the state of Indiana. 00:16:13
Based on. 00:16:16
On the median that is out there right now. 00:16:18
Now I realize that the Franklin Township. 00:16:21
Within Floyd County is probably I believe is the lowest rate in terms of property taxes. 00:16:24
So I am not really interested in paying an additional. 00:16:30
Property tax. 00:16:34
For services that really are not going to. 00:16:36
Exceed what we currently have. 00:16:39
Right now. 00:16:42
And if I could just simply ask one question to the. 00:16:44
Those in attendance. 00:16:48
How many of you reside in Franklin Township? 00:16:50
How many of you are opposed to this tax? 00:16:54
In Franklin Township. 00:16:57
OK. 00:16:58
Thank you very much. 00:17:01
Thank you, Sir. 00:17:08
Our next speaker is Jason Sharp. 00:17:09
Good evening, Jason Sharp, Mr. Cleve Floyd County Commissioner. 00:17:16
So I'm here tonight because for the last two weeks I've been getting. 00:17:19
Emails from people concerned that. 00:17:23
Tonight there was going to be a vote on the fire district. 00:17:25
And if our or if our Fire Protection territory. 00:17:28
Sorry, this is my first time being on this side. Is that better? Yeah, OK. 00:17:32
So anyway, I've gotten a lot of emails from people concerned about a district or a territory. 00:17:37
And that there was going to be some sort of. 00:17:42
Vote here to desert. 00:17:44
Is there anything on your own agenda about that? Because. 00:17:46
To my knowledge, you guys had taken yourselves out of the discussion for the territory. 00:17:48
As I've repeated several times, this board does not do anything with a fire district or the taxes for a fire district. 00:17:53
I. 00:18:02
Franklin Township out of the territory. 00:18:02
Because I knew that it was not going to pass and I was not going to penalize Georgetown in New Albany Township. Well, I appreciate 00:18:06
that clarification. 00:18:10
And I agree with you, Mr. Moon, that's not the responsibility of this body. 00:18:14
Matter of fact, I believe that the statutes are very clear who is capable of forming a Fire Protection district. 00:18:18
And it's not here and it's not today. And there is a very detailed and outline process to do so. 00:18:25
So. 00:18:30
I don't really appreciate some of the misinformation that has gone around. 00:18:31
Community and there's a couple things I'd also like to say, and I'm not going to repeat everything that Connie went over when she 00:18:35
talked about. 00:18:37
Some of her concerns, because I shared those concerns, you know, I've been a professional first response for 30 years. 00:18:40
And I've delivered care to people. 00:18:46
All across, not just this county. 00:18:49
But across the entire United States. 00:18:51
And I can promise you. 00:18:54
Fire departments in a hole. 00:18:55
Fires are really the one of the smallest things that they tend to. 00:18:58
Medical emergencies are the largest. 00:19:02
Just about every fire department. 00:19:05
About 70% of their calls originate from medical issues. 00:19:07
And. 00:19:11
I agree I have some severe concerns. 00:19:12
About utilizing an agency that is not property certified. 00:19:16
Not properly equipped. 00:19:19
And has the mindset that. 00:19:21
I'm sorry that that. 00:19:23
That they can pick and choose which runs they want to go to within our jurisdiction. I think it's irresponsible. 00:19:24
You know. 00:19:30
I could tell you if you're a first responder and you're not giving every patient that you come across. 00:19:31
110%. 00:19:36
Of your abilities. 00:19:38
You have no business doing that job. 00:19:39
None at all. 00:19:41
OK, now. 00:19:43
I can tell you on the thousands and thousands and thousands of scenes that I have been on. 00:19:45
Not once have I seen somebody's house burning down. 00:19:50
Or a family member thought they were paying too much. 00:19:53
Or their family members were blue and cannot breathe. 00:19:56
Paying too much? 00:19:59
OK, nobody likes to pay for services, I get it. 00:20:00
OK. 00:20:03
Commissioner, I do think it's unfair to ask the people of Georgetown Township. 00:20:04
To pay for services, the people of New Albany Township. 00:20:08
To pay for services, the people of Greenville Township. 00:20:12
To pay for services, the people of Lafayette Township. 00:20:15
To pay for these services. 00:20:18
And think that you can do this for $8000 a year. 00:20:20
That's not even enough to buy 2 sets of turn out here. 00:20:24
I'm good with you guys continuing any kind of discussion that you all want that provides. 00:20:28
Competent service to your area. 00:20:32
But I am not going to let Floyd County families suffer. 00:20:34
Because you're not going to look at this. 00:20:37
Thank you. 00:20:40
Thank you, Mr. 00:20:45
Our next speaker is Mike Hawes. 00:20:47
Or is it house, Sir? 00:20:54
Apologize. 00:20:55
Make sure I get that correct. 00:20:56
Well, I was hoping I wouldn't have to get up here and speak, but. 00:20:59
The first speaker and this last one. 00:21:02
Made it important that I do. 00:21:05
I'm on Lanesville fire department. 00:21:07
I've been on. 00:21:09
47 years. 00:21:10
And I don't think anybody can name a run that was ever in Floyd County we were called to that we did not go to. 00:21:12
Girl, I've been to I don't know how many drug overdoses up there, Rex. 00:21:20
Fires and I'm really getting tired of everybody saying that Lanesville won't make runs up there. 00:21:24
We did not quit the people of Franklin Township. He quit. 00:21:30
It's that plain and simple. 00:21:36
And I think the lawyers should be talking to you and your wife both about defamation suits. 00:21:38
You've been telling everybody that we didn't come to your house when you had a heart attack. 00:21:47
That there was a Harrison County ambulance showed up there. 00:21:52
Well, I've got the run report right here. There was number page for the Lanesville Fire Department. 00:21:55
They said that new Chapel in Georgetown was on the way. Well, I don't know. 00:22:01
But they asked for an ambulance only and that's what they sent and we didn't know anything about it. 00:22:06
But yet you're jumping us 'cause we didn't come to your house when we. 00:22:11
Do you answer the phone with don't ring? 00:22:15
And as far as not being, I don't know about our fire department certification. 00:22:19
But there is all but one of our 5. 00:22:24
Firefighters are either first responder. 00:22:27
EMT's or we have a paramedic. 00:22:30
And they're all kept up to date, all our certifications, we've all got our. 00:22:34
So don't say that we don't know what we're doing or don't have the equipment. 00:22:38
We've got the same equipment that most ambulances have. 00:22:42
That's all I have to say. 00:22:48
Thank you, Sir. 00:22:58
Our last speaker signed up for public comment. 00:22:59
I'm gonna apologize because I cannot read your signature. It's the gentleman I was speaking to in the Louisville shirt whose wife 00:23:01
has excellent taste in T-shirts. 00:23:05
So if you could state your name for the record, Sir. 00:23:09
Thank you, Aaron. I apologize about that. 00:23:12
I don't think we need to join. 00:23:18
Fire District. 00:23:21
I don't think we need to do much though to raise the taxes in the area. 00:23:24
A small increase in contracting with two established local fire departments. 00:23:29
Would do. 00:23:34
Everything we need. 00:23:36
I I can't. 00:23:38
I can't imagine how you justify. 00:23:42
The tax increase that it would take. 00:23:46
Thank you Miss Trustee, that is everyone that has signed up for public comment. 00:23:50
Into old business of the fire hydrants. 00:24:00
So since there is everybody here. 00:24:05
We have been discussing fire hydrants since about August of last year. 00:24:07
Of getting placements of. 00:24:13
As many as we can get up on the top half and the lower half. 00:24:15
Edwardsville Water or I think they're underneath the new new name now. 00:24:21
But umm. 00:24:26
Edwardsville Authority. Authority. Edwardsville Authority. 00:24:28
They do not provide fire hydrants. 00:24:33
And they were, we were told that it's not their responsibility, so it's going to be upon the. 00:24:36
The board to figure out how much we're going to want to spend on fire hydrants out in our area. I'm in the process of getting bids 00:24:43
at this point in time. 00:24:48
December's meeting. 00:24:55
We didn't have, we didn't have a quorum. 00:24:57
Only one member showed up. 00:24:59
I need to get approval for your all's payroll. 00:25:03
Backdated. 00:25:08
I need a motion on that. 00:25:11
Motions been made and seconded. 00:25:17
Mr. Shigles, thank you. 00:25:19
Just wanna make sure your mic was on. So Yep, it's on. 00:25:21
Thank you all in favor. 00:25:23
Show the rise of your hand. 00:25:25
Any opposed? 00:25:28
Motion passes. 00:25:29
In Decembers meeting also. 00:25:34
We were able to recognize Harlan Hines. 00:25:37
There's several different awards. 00:25:41
From the distinguished Hoosier Award. 00:25:43
To the state Senate. 00:25:46
Presented him in Indiana State flag. 00:25:48
The commissioners also presented him on proclamation. 00:25:51
And the Township trustee. 00:25:54
Board gave him a plaque of 60 years of dedicated service. 00:25:56
To the Hopewell Cemetery. 00:26:01
And he does a fantastic job and he has told me he will be back again this year to take care of it. 00:26:04
With that, this was also on the December meeting list I paid out $60.00 out of. 00:26:10
To kill them imprints. 00:26:18
For that plaque that he received. 00:26:20
I need a motion and a second for the approval of that. 00:26:22
Turn your microphone. 00:26:28
I'll make a motion for that. 00:26:30
Angela Thompson makes the motion. Do I have a second-half second it? 00:26:31
Any other? 00:26:35
Comments. 00:26:36
All in favor, raise your hand. 00:26:38
That passes. 00:26:41
Back on the Hopewell Cemetery. 00:26:44
As you guys in previous, I think it was September's meeting. 00:26:47
The highway department finally made it out there to put the gravel down. 00:26:52
As I stated in the meeting. 00:26:56
The manpower. 00:26:58
And the hours used was donated from the county. 00:26:59
The gravel costs for that which hasn't been grappled for and you can probably help me for a few years. 00:27:03
OK. That bill is $689. 00:27:11
To be paid to the county. 00:27:16
If I can get a motion. 00:27:19
I'll make a motion and high camper makes the motion. Do I have a second? 00:27:21
I'll second that. 00:27:25
Angela Thompson seconds it. Any questions? 00:27:26
All in favor, raise your hand. 00:27:30
New business. 00:27:34
Something that I need to add on the board appointment. 00:27:36
There was supposed to be the organizational part of it also. 00:27:40
Umm, but the board appointment, I think what, 4:30 today? Angela, you got sworn in. 00:27:44
Umm, as a board member, Caucus, as our new board member, so welcome to you. 00:27:49
You got a big meeting on your first. 00:27:54
Joseph did resign his position a couple of weeks ago. 00:27:58
And we wish him the best of luck. 00:28:03
Board members, you have been able to review the annual budget. 00:28:06
I'm sorry, let's back up. 00:28:09
The organizational part. 00:28:11
Between you 3, he's a president. 00:28:14
For the 2025 year. 00:28:16
I hope it's on. 00:28:25
For president. 00:28:27
I have a second. 00:28:31
I'll second that. 00:28:33
And High Camper made the motion. 00:28:34
Angel Thompson seconded for Don. 00:28:37
Any questions? 00:28:40
Concerns. Comments. 00:28:41
I have to think on it. I won't do it another year. 00:28:44
All in favor. 00:28:48
Any opposed? 00:28:51
Welcome back. 00:28:53
You guys have had a chance to review the annual report. 00:28:56
It is setting in gateway waiting for your all's approval. 00:29:00
The state has looked over at the SPOA, has looked over it, they they've seen those issues with it. 00:29:03
Unless you guys see any issues. 00:29:09
I want to ask a question on that. Were we going to raise the rate that we paid Harlan? 00:29:12
We mentioned that. 00:29:18
In one of the meetings. 00:29:20
I don't recall that. 00:29:22
Yeah, we did discuss that. 00:29:24
I don't think we. 00:29:29
Really moved on it, never to move on. We did move on it. We didn't come up with a number, but that that would be underneath do 00:29:30
business because this is actually the 24 annual report to finish out the year 2024. 00:29:36
Which Harlan was paid out. 00:29:44
Yes, I can. 00:29:47
So over the 2024 annual annual report. 00:29:50
I need a motion to approve. 00:29:54
Anne High camper makes a motion. I need a second. 00:29:59
I'll second it. Donnie seconds it. 00:30:02
Any discussion? 00:30:04
And for you guys out there, the annual report is up here, the bank statements are up here. 00:30:07
The checkbooks up here. 00:30:12
All the information is up front if you guys want to look at that. 00:30:14
All in favor. 00:30:20
Raise your hand high. 00:30:21
All opposed. 00:30:23
Motion passes. 00:30:24
And this trustee before you move on, you said that annual reports been filed with Gateway as well. So the. 00:30:26
General public can pull that up on Indiana Gateway as well. It'll take about a week or two. 00:30:31
So once they transfer that over. 00:30:36
I will say that the computer program that we got earlier this year that you guys pass. 00:30:39
Is pretty much a lifesaver. It's easy. 00:30:45
We can transport from that program. 00:30:47
Right over the gateway. 00:30:50
So it's been a real help. 00:30:53
This past year. 00:30:55
The next thing I have is the Indiana Trustees Association dues. 00:30:58
That is $200. 00:31:02
That would be for year 2025. 00:31:07
Put me in motion. 00:31:17
Or whatever you guys want to do. 00:31:19
Make a motion to accept it. 00:31:22
I'll second it. 00:31:26
Motion by made by Don, second by Angela. 00:31:27
Any questions? 00:31:32
All in favor, raise your hand. 00:31:34
Any opposed? 00:31:36
Motion passes. 00:31:38
All right, so to the OR the the fire service contract for 2025? 00:31:40
Where do we start? 00:31:49
And Mr. Trustee, it sounds like we're getting reports that there may be some feedback issues on the streaming. 00:31:52
So just in the interest for those who are watching on the streaming. 00:31:58
It will be beneficial for all of us. 00:32:02
To only turn on our mics as we are speaking. Apparently that sometimes causes some feedback, so. 00:32:04
If we could do that just to make sure the folks at home. 00:32:09
In here as well. 00:32:12
Which I know will require us to turn them on and off a whole lot more, but we'll try to keep on top of that. 00:32:13
It's your mic. 00:32:19
I apologize that I'm the problem. 00:32:22
Gary, just text me. 00:32:27
Tell Gary, I said. When in doubt, blaming the lawyer is always a great idea. 00:32:34
All right, so. 00:32:42
So let's dive into this. 00:32:45
So. 00:32:48
Georgetown. 00:32:49
Township or Georgetown Fire Department. 00:32:51
Has gave us an offer of $8000. 00:32:54
That is to cover all of Franklin Township. 00:32:59
The top and the lower half. 00:33:02
As you guys may not have known. 00:33:05
June of last year. 00:33:08
Myself, Chief Banta and the deputy chief, Ned Wiseman. 00:33:10
Sat down with Elizabeth Fire Department and we also sat down with New Albany Township Fire Department. 00:33:14
Something this Township has never had. Is a mutual aid agreement automatic? 00:33:21
They were signed at the end of June of last year and still stays in effect. 00:33:28
So basically what that means is for the people on Hwy. 11. 00:33:33
From Elizabeth to Guess Wine Rd. 00:33:37
Elizabeth is an automatic mutual aid response for EMS. 00:33:40
And fire. 00:33:45
Pass from Hwy. 62 coming to guess 1. 00:33:47
That is for structure fires. 00:33:52
Is an automatic mutual aid with. 00:33:56
Elizabeth. Uh. 00:33:59
And Georgetown's also coming. 00:34:01
EMS wise, Georgetown can respond quicker in that area. 00:34:04
So they will be handling all the EMS. 00:34:08
That's to any of our knowledge as have never been done and there's never been signed contracts. 00:34:13
To add to that, Georgetown also has mutual aid contracts with what now is Highlander Fire Protection District. 00:34:19
And they can also respond. 00:34:28
One of the other. 00:34:31
That I think Miss Huebler had said. 00:34:34
And I heard people talking about response times. 00:34:37
It is this board's responsibility. 00:34:41
To protect all of Franklin Township. 00:34:44
As a whole. 00:34:48
Franklin Township is the top and the lower half. 00:34:49
The average run times and I think I think she had some also. 00:34:55
The yearly average is 8.54. 00:35:00
The quarterly averages are been running about 9.44. 00:35:06
In November of last year, November of 2024. 00:35:12
There was 2 calls. 00:35:19
One was a 17 minute response from Georgetown and the other one was a 13 minute response from Georgetown. 00:35:21
Them two runs come out the same day. 00:35:28
That was also the day that we had that snow and the roads were slick. 00:35:32
As public safety people say, don't let your emergency. 00:35:38
Don't let somebody else's emergency become your own. 00:35:41
They traveled and they got there. 00:35:45
You cannot fault a fire department. 00:35:48
For having a little bit longer. 00:35:51
Run in hazardous driving conditions. 00:35:53
The November. 00:35:57
Average for November. 00:35:59
With them to runs took it to 11 minutes and 53 seconds. 00:36:01
These numbers are not pulled from the fire department. 00:36:06
These numbers are pulled from our dispatch agency. 00:36:10
Right here, ran by the Floyd County Sheriff's Office. 00:36:14
So to put that out. 00:36:19
George sounds fire companies. 00:36:22
Monday through Friday. 00:36:25
8:00 to 5:00. 00:36:28
Has a total of. 00:36:29
13. 00:36:32
Responding fire personnel. 00:36:34
5:00 to 8:00. 00:36:38
There is 10 with a possible two more. 00:36:41
And that is not including, that is actually people responding. 00:36:46
To that run. 00:36:51
That is not including mutual aid. 00:36:52
That's coming from Elizabeth. 00:36:55
Or New Albany Township. 00:36:57
And that is for the top and the bottom. 00:36:59
And I think that that right there speaks volumes. 00:37:02
I request it runs from. 00:37:06
Waynesville. 00:37:10
Which? 00:37:12
This board had told me when I took over. 00:37:13
Good luck. 00:37:17
You guys remember telling me that? 00:37:18
I get a whole bunch of sheets. 00:37:23
That just has runtimes. 00:37:25
And there's highlights through there. 00:37:28
Don't tell me if they responded. 00:37:32
It doesn't tell us. 00:37:35
How long it took them to get there? 00:37:37
It doesn't tell us anything but. 00:37:39
Basically the day. 00:37:42
The run number. 00:37:43
In an address. 00:37:45
Not even what type of call it is. 00:37:47
The Franklin Township Harrison County Fire Trustee. 00:37:51
Had told us that. 00:37:56
In 2023, because this meeting happened in May of 24. 00:37:58
All these people, all you guys got this sheet. 00:38:04
From the Township trustee. 00:38:07
Sorry. 00:38:10
Said that they had 100 and six runs. 00:38:12
Into Franklin Township, upper half. 00:38:16
This is Lanesville only was contracting for the upper half. 00:38:19
After we started diving through these. 00:38:24
We found out to be 45 runs. 00:38:27
At the beginning of 2024 one. 00:38:32
January of 24 through. 00:38:35
531. 00:38:37
Of 2024. 00:38:39
There was 17 responses. 00:38:41
These numbers. 00:38:45
That were taken off of these shows the increase of runs happening in Franklin Township. 00:38:48
If these numbers that they produced or. 00:38:57
Papers that they produce is correct. 00:39:01
We have doubled. 00:39:03
Runs. 00:39:06
To our area. 00:39:07
The other thing that is very concerning to me inside that meeting? 00:39:10
All three of us were in that meeting. 00:39:14
The other thing that was very concerning to me? 00:39:17
Was Lanesville was showing total expenses for the fire department on A5 year average. 00:39:20
The five year average. 00:39:27
In uh. 00:39:29
2022. 00:39:31
Was $55,346.04, according to the trustee. 00:39:33
In 2023. 00:39:39
Their total expense went down to $42,215.46. 00:39:42
At that same meeting, that Township trustee told us. 00:39:49
That he was going to raise the price. 00:39:52
To $12,000 just to cover the upper half. 00:39:55
That was concerning to me and he was predicting. 00:40:00
Another down slide. 00:40:03
For their expenses. 00:40:05
That is not reasonable. 00:40:08
You guys, I've heard you guys talking about taxes. 00:40:11
Why are we throwing tax money away? 00:40:14
When this department is showing a decrease in their expenses. 00:40:17
But they're going to raise our price. 00:40:22
The other information. 00:40:26
That was. 00:40:27
From that meeting in May. 00:40:30
The board actually approved these minutes in September. 00:40:32
The Fire Chief told us directly that he was not interested in making drug overdose calls. 00:40:37
The board approved them minutes. All three of us were sitting there. 00:40:43
Is that a service to Franklin Township, Lloyd County? 00:40:48
I don't think so. 00:40:52
I don't think so at all. 00:40:55
Drug overdoses can come in many different forms. 00:40:56
These board members were there. 00:41:00
They heard it. 00:41:02
And they approved it in the next meeting on the minutes. 00:41:05
I asked Lanesville Fire Department for training records. 00:41:10
I got nothing. 00:41:15
Still to the day I have got nothing. 00:41:16
Georgetown. 00:41:20
As Miss Hoobler had pointed out. 00:41:22
They send their training hours. 00:41:24
Georgetown welcomes any of you community members to go down there and look at their training and tour their Firehouse. 00:41:27
They're very responsive. 00:41:35
Donna, I'm assuming you talk to either Mr. Bana or or Mr. White or Chief Bana or or Chief Wiseman. 00:41:37
No, it was actually. 00:41:45
Jimmy Mayfield. 00:41:47
Mr. Mayfield? Yep. 00:41:49
Yeah, so should have been very responsive to you. 00:41:51
In a timely manner. 00:41:55
If I have questions. 00:41:57
These board members had come up and said, hey, you know. 00:42:00
What's the deal? Why? Why this happened or why did it take so long? 00:42:03
Don, I had the information to you within 30 minutes. 00:42:08
Yes. 00:42:13
I think about the Waynesville Fire Department, it was not Lanesville firefighters herself, it was the town trustee would not sign 00:42:15
the contracts. 00:42:19
Renew it. I haven't even got that part yet. Never got it from him. He never got to that part. 00:42:23
The guys at Waynesville, we need to put the blame on their trustee. It was his fault. 00:42:29
Not Lanesville Fire Department. 00:42:35
So. 00:42:40
On January the 13th, 2025. 00:42:42
I received an e-mail. 00:42:46
From the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. 00:42:47
This e-mail. 00:42:53
That I sent is. 00:42:55
Basically, can you tell me if Waynesville Fire Department, Harrison County? 00:42:59
Holds any any any EMS certifications? 00:43:04
The response back from Jason Smith with the Department of Homeland Security EMS Division is. 00:43:08
Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department does not. 00:43:14
Does not hold a current a valid. 00:43:18
EMS certification. 00:43:22
I can tell you that. 00:43:26
Georgetown has what's called some of you guys might know as first responders. 00:43:28
They're now called Emr's emergency medical response. 00:43:33
I can also tell you that. 00:43:39
Georgetown has basic life support technicians on their trucks. 00:43:41
This e-mail can be viewed by you guys. 00:43:47
I do not have a problem with that. 00:43:50
The other thing is, is I've heard. 00:43:57
The point that their trucks are too big. 00:44:00
And I've heard that they don't know where they're going. 00:44:02
Well. 00:44:07
Something that Georgetown started immediately. 00:44:09
Is what's called a box book. 00:44:12
They have been out in Franklin Township, Upper and bottom. 00:44:15
And I have a box book made. 00:44:19
They have put together addresses. 00:44:21
That is going to be difficult to get into. 00:44:24
They have pre planned for them. 00:44:28
I can give you 3 plan. 00:44:30
Scenarios out in our area. 00:44:32
They have their fire hydrants marked because we are a lack of fire hydrants out there in Franklin Township, just to let you know. 00:44:35
They have them, Mark. 00:44:43
They have a protocol set in place for tanker operations to get water to us. 00:44:45
Their first responding engine out of Station 2, which is on Cordon Ridge Rd. 00:44:51
Is comparable if not the same size. 00:44:56
Of what Lanesville is bringing. 00:45:00
You can take that up with with Georgetown. 00:45:04
We we have visited, we have looked at it. 00:45:08
We also they also have a mutual aid agreement with the New Albany Township for the mini pumper. 00:45:12
And they're looking to bring the mini pumper to Station 2 also. 00:45:17
They are not going to run the ladder truck. 00:45:22
Out to Franklin Township. 00:45:25
That's not even there. There is three. I take it back. There is 3 houses or three properties. 00:45:28
Antioch Church. 00:45:36
Mount Zion Church. 00:45:38
And evidently there is a large house on Taney Road. 00:45:39
That would require the aerial truck to come out. 00:45:45
All the rest of it is going to be Engine 21. 00:45:49
That would be responding. I encourage you guys to take a visit to Georgetown. 00:45:53
They would love to see you guys and they would love to talk to you guys. 00:45:58
About that. 00:46:02
But they have been doing pre planning since June of last year. 00:46:04
The next thing that I'm going to dive into is the contract. 00:46:12
The contracts one has always been. 00:46:18
With the Franklin Township Trustee. 00:46:22
The board members, when I first come on, told me good luck on tracking him down. 00:46:26
And that has been a true statement for anything. 00:46:31
I cannot get none of us. 00:46:35
Can get information out of the Township trustee. 00:46:38
And Don, how long have you been on this board? 00:46:42
Hold on. 00:46:49
Since 2016. 00:46:52
And microphones. 00:46:54
Four years. 00:47:01
I started it. You can go ahead and shut off your mics. 00:47:02
Course, Angela just got on here. 00:47:05
I was a caucus in in April of last year. 00:47:09
Mr. Travis, would you like to share? 00:47:15
I think it might not work now. 00:47:22
So which specific part would you like me to start with? 00:47:26
Uh, the union code, OK. 00:47:31
So, umm. 00:47:33
Obviously. 00:47:34
When Charlie became the trustee for Franklin Township, as he mentioned, one of the first things we looked into was the existence 00:47:35
of what contracts there were. As he indicated, we could not find any written contracts anywhere in place at that point in time. 00:47:42
So that was when the contract with Georgetown was put in place. 00:47:50
That was when I also wanted to make sure that as Charlie moved forward, he was properly advised about how a Township can go about 00:47:54
providing Fire Protection to its citizens. 00:47:59
And so excuse me as we move forward with these discussions. Also have had the opportunity to talk with Ann and Donnie a few times 00:48:05
about things. Angela, you're obviously new, so it's probably our first chance to talk about some of this. 00:48:11
But the relevant Indiana code for this is Indiana Code 36-8-13-3, which provides the authorized ways that a Township executive can 00:48:17
provide for Fire Protection. And it says. 00:48:23
That the executive of Township, which is the Township trustee, with the approval of the legislative body which is your Township 00:48:29
board. 00:48:32
Can do any of the following. 00:48:36
So here's here's your options as a Township that you all have on the table through your elected officials. 00:48:38
You can purchase your own firefighting equipment and emergency services apparatus and equipment for the town. 00:48:44
Or for the Township, excuse me, and provide for housing, care, maintenance, operation, use of the apparatus and equipment. So 00:48:49
basically you can start your own fire department. 00:48:53
But you got to carry all of the overhead, the cost, the expense of doing that. That's option #1. 00:48:57
Option #2 that you have contract with the municipality. 00:49:02
Either in the Township or in a contiguous Township that maintains its own adequate firefighting or emergency services apparatus. 00:49:06
So if you have a Township. 00:49:10
That you border with. 00:49:14
That has its own Township. 00:49:15
Fire Department. 00:49:18
You can contract with that township's fire department. 00:49:19
To provide fire service to you. That is your neighbor. 00:49:22
#3. 00:49:26
Cooperate with the municipality in the Township or a contiguous Township in the purchase, maintenance, and upkeep of firefighting 00:49:27
or emergency services apparatus. SO2 Neighboring townships can work together to purchase jointly used equipment. 00:49:33
Somewhat similar to the idea of a fire district or a fire territory, but not quite going so far as to create a fire district in a 00:49:39
fire territory because those come with separate taxing issues and things like that. 00:49:45
The next option you have is to contract with a Volunteer Fire Department. 00:49:51
Organized to fight fires either in the Township. 00:49:55
Umm, or nearby? 00:49:59
So you can contract directly with. 00:50:01
A Volunteer Fire Department, and that's an important distinction. 00:50:04
For what Charlie was just talking about and you heard a lot of references there. 00:50:07
And and Donnie even mentioned. 00:50:11
The contract problems weren't with. 00:50:13
The Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department. The problem was with the Lanesville trustee not producing the contract over. 00:50:15
Well, the Lanesville trustee. 00:50:22
Isn't contemplated by the statute because you're not contracting by statute with the Lanesville trustee. 00:50:24
Unless. 00:50:29
Waynesville Township for. 00:50:30
Or the Waynesville government itself has its own fire department. 00:50:32
And that's not how Volunteer Fire departments typically work. They're typically their own organization. They typically run 00:50:35
themselves. They have their own leadership structure and things like that. 00:50:39
So, umm. 00:50:43
That's the next option and then the last option is simply to use money in the townships rainy day fund to cover whatever costs 00:50:44
come up. 00:50:48
That's kind of your save all of if nothing else is available to you, if you can't find a good contract to workout with a 00:50:52
neighboring community, if you don't want to pay for your own fire department, if you don't have a volunteer unit in the area. 00:50:58
You just make do with your rainy day fun. 00:51:05
So those are the options legally that are available to this Township under the statute. 00:51:07
And so in looking at what's on the table for us. 00:51:12
We would have to be in order to contract with the Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department. 00:51:16
The Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department as an entity would need to present us with a contract and whoever is the appropriate 00:51:20
legal signer for that entity. 00:51:25
Which presumably would be their chief. 00:51:29
Is who needs to be presenting that to us? Not the Lanesville trustee, not some other government actor in Lanesville, but whoever 00:51:31
is actually the responsible leader of the Volunteer Fire Department. 00:51:37
And so whereas Georgetown again, its Chief Banta and Chief Wiseman who are the responsible leaders at that particular 00:51:43
organization. 00:51:46
And then the fire district as the as the fund supplier through the Fire Protection district, that is who has presented us the 00:51:49
contract from Georgetown. So that is consistent with the clause that lets us contract with the neighboring. 00:51:55
Township or town that has its own fire department? 00:52:01
So after digging in there and reviewing it, checking with him. 00:52:07
Basically the nuts and bolts of what he just said is is. 00:52:12
This Township. 00:52:16
Per the Indiana code. 00:52:17
Hasn't been in compliance. 00:52:20
It is never. 00:52:23
Sign the contract with Lanesville. 00:52:25
Volunteer Fire Department. 00:52:27
Never. 00:52:28
I have reached out both ways. 00:52:32
The only thing I can tell you. 00:52:35
Is that is what was said in the Maze meeting? You guys were there? 00:52:37
That they were going to raise this year, 2025. 00:52:42
To $12,000. 00:52:47
For only the upper half. 00:52:49
Not including the lower half. 00:52:53
Georgetown has submitted to me $8000. 00:52:58
For all of Franklin Township. 00:53:02
The top and bottom. 00:53:05
And has mutual aid. 00:53:06
Ready to go? 00:53:09
All departments have agreed that if this contract is signed, they would move forward with the mutual aid agreements. 00:53:12
So this body. 00:53:19
Need to make a decision. 00:53:21
On what you all want to do. 00:53:23
We are out of contract. 00:53:27
And and before we go forward, and and. 00:53:38
Charlie had asked me to give the board a little bit more advice because the the concept of this fire district has been brought up 00:53:41
in public comment numerous times. 00:53:45
I do just want to advise the board. 00:53:49
About that as well and just make sure the law and that is abundantly clear and I think Commissioner Sharp was trying to help 00:53:51
educate you guys, but he had some limited public comment about that. So Indiana code allows. 00:53:56
Two different ways for Fire Protection districts to be made, and that's not a decision that this board has any power to make. 00:54:00
I think Ann and Donnie. 00:54:07
I know it's been a while so so you may not remember we talked about this, that meeting we had out at the. 00:54:09
Fire Department, it was the three or the four of us and Mr. Moody. 00:54:13
That there's two ways that the district can come and play. Number one is if enough. 00:54:18
Members, freeholders of property within Franklin Township decided that's what they wanted to do. They could sign a petition and 00:54:23
present that to the commissioners and move forward with. 00:54:27
Basically by your own decision as the people of Franklin Township to do that. 00:54:32
Obviously, a lot of you tonight feel very strongly that's not the way you're going to go. So I don't think by statute that you're 00:54:36
going to invoke that mechanism. 00:54:40
And that the that's all found just if anybody wants to go look up those statutes there in Indiana Code section 36. 00:54:43
Dash 8-11 is where all of the laws related to Fire Protection districts are located at. 00:54:50
The second way Fire Protection districts can come about is your county legislative body. 00:54:56
Which in Floyd County is the Floyd County Commission? 00:55:01
They have the power. 00:55:04
If they believe it is in the best interest to provide Fire Protection for a portion of the county. 00:55:06
To create. 00:55:11
Fire Protection District. 00:55:12
And then appoint trustees over that district who they then entrust. 00:55:14
To supervise the collection of the taxes and the Fire Protection responsibilities. 00:55:18
And if that happens? 00:55:23
We don't know that that's going to happen and that is not a decision this board gets to make, but I need this board. 00:55:26
To be properly advised to do my job. 00:55:30
If if we as the Township leaders do not effectively fire protect. 00:55:33
The people. 00:55:38
Or if the Commissioners do not adequately feel like. 00:55:40
We as the Township have done that job. 00:55:42
They have the authority under that statute to create a Fire Protection district. 00:55:45
And if they do that? 00:55:49
That supersedes this township's ability to make that decision for itself. The Fire Protection district at that point in time will 00:55:51
make all Fire Protection decisions for Franklin Township. The Fire Protection district will decide the tax levy. They'll work with 00:55:56
the Department of Local Government Finance to figure out what that tax levy would look like. 00:56:01
They would then get to decide how they want to provide it. So it would be up to whoever the commissioners appoint to decide. Do 00:56:07
they want to have their own fire department? Do they want to contract with some other entity? Do they want to potentially enter 00:56:11
into a fire territory down the road? 00:56:16
But. 00:56:21
You are the three individuals. 00:56:22
Who have been elected or appoint, or the four individuals who've either been elected or appointed? 00:56:24
To represent the people. 00:56:28
So right now, the ball is in your court. The statutes have given you the power to do this. 00:56:31
But I wanted to make it abundantly clear to you. 00:56:36
The statutes do give the commissioners the ability to kind of keep an eye on this. 00:56:39
And make sure that they are satisfied that the people at Franklin Township have appropriate Fire Protection. 00:56:43
And so. 00:56:49
Hopefully, if you have any legal questions on that process, I'm happy to answer, but I just wanted you all to know because there's 00:56:51
been a lot of people talking about this idea of a fire district. That is not something you all can consider tonight. 00:56:56
But it is something that if we don't make a decision, the commissioners may well do and take all of this out of our hands. We 00:57:01
don't consider anything on a fire district. 00:57:05
Correct. 00:57:09
I'd like to make a few comments about that. 00:57:11
Two other things that I forgot to mention. 00:57:15
Is uh. 00:57:19
The one of the other benefits of Georgetown. 00:57:20
Georgetown. 00:57:23
Would get dispatched by Floyd County. 00:57:25
So there wouldn't be a delay. 00:57:28
Of communications to Harrison County to dispatch. 00:57:30
Waynesville. I've heard runtimes count. 00:57:34
Seconds count, minutes count. 00:57:39
That is also. 00:57:41
Another factor to take in consideration, they're being dispatched by Floyd County. 00:57:44
And it's a as soon as the dispatch made, it's an immediate response. 00:57:49
Because they are there on station, they are 24/7, 365 days the year. 00:57:54
The other thing too, for every homeowner. 00:58:00
And property owner in Franklin. 00:58:04
Is also to the point. 00:58:06
That you need to call your insurance company. 00:58:08
And see if Georgetown saving you money. 00:58:11
On your. 00:58:14
Homeowners. 00:58:15
We are paid by. 00:58:17
We are providing service right now for last year from a paid fire department. 00:58:20
They also had mutual aid. 00:58:25
And they are also being dispatched by Floyd County. 00:58:28
And not be in. 00:58:31
Taken over by Harrison County, so I encourage you house homeowners out there. 00:58:33
Make that phone call to your agent. Go ahead, Angel. 00:58:38
Charlie, can you explain? 00:58:41
About the dispatch problem with Lanesville, that was the that was when we all started. 00:58:43
What's the problem with the communication system with Lanesville and Floyd County where there's a disconnect? 00:58:48
So what was discussed in that, in that May meeting with all of us there? 00:58:55
Lanesville cannot communicate with any emergency service in Floyd County. 00:59:03
That's fire, police or EMS. 00:59:09
Harrison County went to and I'm not a guru on this. I guess Floyd County's on 800. 00:59:13
And Harrison County went to a 700, which I guess is a lower band. 00:59:20
But they cannot communicate with each other. 00:59:25
The chief out there at Lanesville also said that was a barrier. 00:59:28
And Georgetown Fire Department also said that was a barrier. 00:59:32
In between the two departments and that causes a bigger problem. 00:59:37
On scene for accountability. 00:59:42
And making sure people are safe. 00:59:44
The other part is is as I said. I thought I stated earlier. 00:59:47
When you call 911, it'll go to Floyd County. 00:59:51
Floyd County takes the information and decides if it's. 00:59:55
Who gets dispatched? 00:59:59
So it might be an EMS run and Floyd County is going to dispatch our EMS provider. 01:00:01
But then they're going to have to call the Harrison County. 01:00:07
Harrison County is going to have to look it up in the box book. 01:00:11
To make a dispatch on Waynesville. 01:00:14
That takes them minutes out. 01:00:17
Because at that point in time, EMS. 01:00:20
And 1st responders are being dispatched at the same time. 01:00:24
Does that answer your question? 01:00:27
I wanted to share because. 01:00:31
A couple concerns on my mind. 01:00:32
I wanted to talk about townships. 01:00:35
Because I know there's been talk in Indiana to eliminate townships. 01:00:37
And you know, in America, this is the beauty of America. 01:00:42
Is that we get to represent ourselves in our own little small. 01:00:46
Places where we live, and I love townships because. 01:00:51
That's what this is. We're all neighbors here. We're all concerned about getting good. 01:00:54
Care with ambulance services and fire. 01:00:59
So we get to come and talk about. 01:01:02
How are we all going to be the safest right here in our little bitty Township? 01:01:04
And it's beautiful. And I'm it's, it's something great that we can do. 01:01:09
I don't ever want to lose townships and I also don't want. 01:01:14
I think we all can agree we don't really want county commissioners coming in here. 01:01:18
Telling us how they're going to protect us with fire. 01:01:23
It really is better a decision to be made on a much smaller local level, so. 01:01:27
I'm really glad for this process and I did want to say one thing to the gentleman. 01:01:32
Who's been a volunteer for decades at Lanesville? You know Lanesville is a great neighbor. Come on, they're our neighbor. We love 01:01:38
Lanesville. 01:01:42
And we all love let sometimes we kind of think we actually live in Lanesville and many of us have Lanesville addresses. 01:01:46
And at one time we were part of Harrison County in Lanesville, but we're not anymore. We're in Floyd. But I wanted to say. 01:01:53
To the man who's been working so hard for decades saving our lives, thank you first of all. 01:02:00
But when we went down and talked to the Lanesville Fire Department. 01:02:05
And and the guys were very great. 01:02:09
You know they had a concern. 01:02:11
We're a Volunteer Fire Department and in America today. 01:02:12
Volunteer organizations are struggling. 01:02:16
We don't have. 01:02:20
Guys like. 01:02:21
Him in the back row who have put 45 years of much of their personal life to volunteer to help us. 01:02:23
You know, volunteerism is not something. 01:02:31
That's as popular as it was many decades ago, so. 01:02:35
A Volunteer Fire Department. 01:02:38
Is struggling to find people to save us, to help us to show up to. 01:02:40
Come in for the training. 01:02:46
So that is a concern I have is that. 01:02:48
You know, with Georgetown paid. 01:02:50
And all these people, 13 people, Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00. There's a lot of people there. We've got mutual aid coming. 01:02:52
Versus volunteer that that concerns me. 01:02:59
Just wanted to share that. 01:03:03
I have a comment. 01:03:07
It's on. 01:03:12
OK, um. 01:03:17
On this thing with Mr. Sharp. 01:03:22
You made it public. Safety has to be spent within the county. 01:03:26
He would like to explore. 01:03:31
The formation. 01:03:34
Of a fire district in Franklin. 01:03:35
Sharp expects. 01:03:40
To have conversations with Franklin Township Board to explore options. 01:03:43
We could say, you know why? 01:03:48
If this is the path. 01:03:51
That they choose to take. 01:03:53
They're like their elective representatives. 01:03:55
And so be it. 01:03:59
Or we could create a fire district. Any sent essentially. 01:04:01
Take it out of the hands. 01:04:06
He said. 01:04:08
He said an obligation to ensure that the people of Floyd County are receiving. 01:04:09
Proper service. 01:04:15
Sharp said. 01:04:16
I'm gonna tell you right now. 01:04:19
Franklin Township is a small. 01:04:22
Township. 01:04:25
We don't have that many people. 01:04:27
We cannot afford. 01:04:29
To go in a district. 01:04:32
We need to keep our Township. 01:04:34
As is. 01:04:37
We can afford to raise our taxes a little bit. 01:04:39
But we don't have to go outrageous amounts. 01:04:42
And to the other part. 01:04:46
I think that we need to. 01:04:49
OK, the. 01:04:51
Fire departments that are close to our area. 01:04:53
Not 13 to 15 miles away. 01:04:57
I want. I know New Albany Township takes care of the Bottoms. 01:05:00
Which is. 01:05:05
Of Hwy. 111. 01:05:07
And I know that. 01:05:10
Georgetown can take care of parts of. 01:05:12
Floyd County. 01:05:17
But to me. 01:05:19
The closer the fire department is to us. 01:05:21
The better off we're going to be. 01:05:23
And it's for our people because we're older. 01:05:26
There's not that many of us. 01:05:31
The houses are not going to be. 01:05:34
Just like that, you have to go through a whole ordeal. 01:05:36
And I don't think see that much growth in our area coming. 01:05:41
So. 01:05:47
I would like to make a motion to keep the Franklin Township Advisory Board Committee. 01:05:48
In charge of fire services for the Township. 01:05:54
And continue fire services. 01:05:58
For our area. 01:06:00
As needed. 01:06:02
From these these closed areas. 01:06:04
So I would like to keep. 01:06:09
New Albany Township for. 01:06:12
Down at Bottoms Elizabeth Park Township. 01:06:14
Fire Department. 01:06:18
For up to. 01:06:20
Guess why? Guess Wine Road and. 01:06:22
Lanesville. 01:06:26
For the other area. 01:06:28
And that's what I'm bringing before the board. 01:06:29
Are you bringing that in a motion? 01:06:32
Yes, I am. 01:06:33
So. 01:06:35
New Albany Township is not going to cover the lower half. 01:06:36
Because they are having Georgetown cover the lower half. 01:06:39
Elizabeth. 01:06:44
Elizabeth would have to have a signed contract. 01:06:46
With our Township. 01:06:50
Just to let you know. 01:06:52
So and to, to get your motion, I think in, in proper, I think probably what you're asking is that you would want to because 01:06:53
Charlie as the trustee would be the one that have to go out and and basically negotiate that contract and bring it back to you 01:06:59
guys. I think what you're procedurally asking is. 01:07:04
For what your preference would be would be for the trustee to engage in negotiations with New Albany Township and Elizabeth for 01:07:10
the bottom part of the county of the Township and Lanesville for the top part of the Township. Is that what your motion is at this 01:07:15
point? Yes, it is. And, and just to be clear, understanding to Charlie's point. 01:07:21
We do not currently have contracts and that based on his conversations, he is not. 01:07:28
Optimistic that we would receive those contracts, but you're saying you want that explored before any vote on the Georgetown 01:07:32
contract? Yes, OK. 01:07:36
So. 01:07:40
Just to make sure our record is clear on that, Miss Trustee, the motion that's on the floor from Ann is a motion. 01:07:40
To table New Albany or table the Georgetown contract and to explore a contract with New Albany Township and Elizabeth for the 01:07:45
bottom portion and Lanesville for the top portion of Franklinton Township. 01:07:51
Yes, it is. 01:07:57
You know, I'll make a motion. 01:08:03
The second there's a motion. 01:08:04
Already on the table, All right second. 01:08:06
And I like to thank Mikey House for putting in 45 years of service. That's a long time. 01:08:10
And I'm noting. 01:08:16
Got all my life and he's a wonderful guy. 01:08:18
And so is the fire department. 01:08:20
Like you said earlier, Charlie, we would need to talk with the Lanesville Fire Department chief to get him to sign the contract. 01:08:23
If that's the what the law requires. 01:08:29
We'll get with Mike and we'll see if we can get it done. 01:08:31
And like I said, I prefer to stay with Lanesville. Nothing against Georgetown. 01:08:35
But from what I've seen, no. 01:08:39
It's too far away. 01:08:42
Everybody in our community. 01:08:44
And on the Waynesville Fire Department. 01:08:47
They noticed their name. They know exactly where we're at. 01:08:49
And they know how to deal with the situation. 01:08:52
I won't go into it with Georgetown. We had a fire on Smith Creek with it. I don't know what went wrong there. 01:08:55
But from what I was told by witnesses, the house could have not burned as bad as it did. 01:09:00
But it's because Georgetown has way too big of ladder track to get up a little narrow Dr. and the Hills Hall is so steep you do 01:09:06
well to get up it with an ordinary vehicle. 01:09:10
Blanche got up the hill from when I was told with no issues. 01:09:15
I prefer to go back with Waynesville. 01:09:19
That's my motion. 01:09:22
That you just seconded and put that. 01:09:24
In in. 01:09:27
So I don't know where you're getting your information. 01:09:29
Because I was on Smith Creek. 01:09:32
Waynesville did not have. 01:09:37
A fire truck up on top of the hill. 01:09:39
Georgetown did have their engine going up the hill. 01:09:41
There was wire issues so they could not get up to the top of the hill. 01:09:45
They pulled hoes. Hold on. 01:09:49
I'm answering. 01:09:52
They pulled hoes. 01:09:54
I'm not going to say because I'm no longer a fireman. 01:09:57
But I'm going to say that they done the best job they can and there was a lot of the house still standing. 01:10:01
Yes, there was, but. 01:10:08
Basically, why would you send a ladder truck that big out on a little run like that? There was number ladder truck was number 01:10:10
ladder truck. There was number ladder truck. This information I was given. 01:10:14
But still if it's a communication line. 01:10:19
Do what? They have the authority to go ahead and tear it down and get to the emergency scene. 01:10:22
I can't answer that question. 01:10:28
I'm not a firefighter. 01:10:31
But. 01:10:33
Like I said, I would think that they wouldn't want to grab ahold of a wire up here is. 01:10:34
You know, high voltage line if it's just a telephone line or cable. 01:10:40
You ain't gonna get electrocuted with that. 01:10:43
They got the proper gear, they can go up and snip and take it off or. 01:10:45
Whatever, but. 01:10:49
No, I want to stick with Waynesville. 01:10:51
Like I said, I have nothing against George challenges other than from what I've seen when I visit the station. 01:10:53
Their trucks are just way too big for our area. 01:10:58
Like I said, Smith Creek and the places, it's hardly 11 foot wide. 01:11:02
And the road? 01:11:06
Given away and I've been with Jason Sharp. 01:11:08
I've been with the county garage. 01:11:10
They don't seem like they care about the road out there. 01:11:14
I don't know what's going on. 01:11:17
I had a walkthrough with Jason. 01:11:18
I had it with the. 01:11:21
Floyd County. 01:11:22
Guy from the garage tool. 01:11:23
He said he would take care of issues. 01:11:25
Nothing that's been took care of. There's a tree that's a Sycamore. It's leaning. 01:11:28
At about a 60° angle. Now it's at a 45. 01:11:33
There's no way a fire truck get past it. 01:11:36
When I meet a school bus on that road. 01:11:38
I got to come to a complete stop. 01:11:40
So the school bus can swerve around the tree. 01:11:42
And you can see where the tree's been hit several times by other bigger vehicles. 01:11:45
But umm. 01:11:48
No, Wayne's got the smaller equipment. 01:11:49
And we've had it for years, since 1992. 01:11:52
We've never had an issue with them. 01:11:55
Up to a couple years ago we could not get a contract signed. 01:11:58
By their Township trustee. 01:12:01
But if we have to go through. 01:12:03
And get a contract signed by the chief. 01:12:05
That's the way we need to go and stick with them. 01:12:07
That's all got to say, Charlie. 01:12:11
Any other input? Any other input? 01:12:14
So I just want to make sure. 01:12:17
Because obviously I might have to review the contract for you guys and bring it to you for your final approval. 01:12:20
Is the board's position on this. 01:12:25
That. 01:12:27
Once Charlie is able to go out and negotiate these things and bring back whatever contracts, if any, he's able to get from 01:12:29
Elizabeth Georgetown to cover the lower bottom. 01:12:33
Well, my understanding of the contract, Charlie, correct me if I'm wrong on this is a Georgetown's offer is to cover both the top 01:12:37
and the bottom right now. 01:12:40
That well Georgetown, yes, for for a total of $8000. 01:12:44
So, uh. 01:12:48
If I'm hearing the motion correctly, that's why I just wanna make sure we're completely clear before you guys cast your votes on 01:12:49
this, and so that I understand what my job is going to be when this all said and done. 01:12:53
Is Charlie is your motion and and the Donnie you're seconding is for Charlie to negotiate out? 01:12:58
Basically, what are the alternatives that a combination service through New Albany Township Elizabeth for the bottom? 01:13:04
And Lanesville for the top could put together present those contracts to you guys at an at a subsequent meeting down the road. And 01:13:10
then at that point in time, you guys can review that side by side with Georgetown, compare apples to apples basically. And at that 01:13:16
point in time vote on which provider or providers the board would approve to execute. 01:13:22
Am I correct on that? 01:13:29
Yes. 01:13:31
Yes. 01:13:33
Thank you. 01:13:36
Any further? 01:13:39
Is New Albany going to open up the other fire station down on Bud Rd. 01:13:42
Or it's on? It's unclear at this time I don't have any. 01:13:46
Right now, New Albany Township is coming from 31. 01:13:51
In County Line Rd. 01:13:55
Up by Sellersburg. 01:13:57
OK. 01:13:58
I don't know, Jason, do you know anything they. 01:13:59
On that, they're gonna. 01:14:03
That's the reason why Georgetown's covering the bottom half for New Albany Township. 01:14:05
But are. 01:14:11
Yeah. 01:14:13
No. 01:14:16
On the Florida. 01:14:18
Down. Are they going to eventually open it or are they still in negotiations? See if it can be repaired to reopen. 01:14:19
OK. All right. Got that clearly. 01:14:26
All right, and and. 01:14:30
Mr. Trustee, members of the Board, I would just ask maybe just given the time sensitive nature of this, because we don't have a 01:14:32
contract in place right now that we probably go ahead and set. 01:14:36
A deadline for the submission from those from any other departments we're going to consider so that we have another meeting. The 01:14:41
public knows that this is being acted on timely. 01:14:45
And that way you all have have the Peace of Mind that that you can get together quickly and review those things. 01:14:50
Do we have our next meeting scheduled, Charlie? I can't remember off time. I don't think we do yet. 01:14:56
That we say that we have amend the motion to say that those bids to be submitted by our next meeting that's going to be scheduled 01:15:01
at the conclusion of this meeting. 01:15:05
And would you be agreeable to amending your motion to include that provision? Yes, I would. And Donnie, would you be amenable to 01:15:09
seconding the motion as amended? 01:15:13
Yes, OK. 01:15:17
And that way, Mr. Commissioner, Mr. Trustee, that way, you know, we've got. 01:15:18
Time and if Lanesville. 01:15:22
Doesn't want to. 01:15:24
Does or doesn't want to submit a bid in that New Albany Township or Elizabeth because it sounds like you have some concerns about 01:15:25
will they then we can communicate to them. We have to have those bids by such and such date and this board can act appropriately 01:15:29
to make sure the people. 01:15:33
Know what their options are and who was willing to play ball with us and who wasn't. 01:15:36
And they need to be for your contracts. 01:15:40
Not half a year contracts, Yes, full full calendar year contracts. I know last year we kind of did a partial year because we were 01:15:43
just kind of up in the wind at that point in time. But everything needs to be year to year contracts at that point. 01:15:49
Any other further discussion? 01:15:57
Let me ask you about that amendment. I I would like so you did you say? 01:16:02
That if we're going to take. 01:16:06
I have to share. 01:16:08
That this is what we've been doing on this board for. 01:16:09
A over a year. 01:16:13
Is comparing apples to apples. That's what we've been doing. We've gathered tremendous amounts of facts. 01:16:17
And we have been looking. 01:16:24
At these comparisons. 01:16:25
So we've done a lot of work to get where we are today. 01:16:27
But are you saying that if Charlie is going to go out and ask Lanesville for a contract that they have to provide it for us within 01:16:32
30 days and we can reconvene and vote on this in 30 days? 01:16:38
I think that's what I would advise, advise the four of you to do is and that way we've got something in writing from each of them 01:16:44
so that it's not just Lanesville told us A and. 01:16:49
Forbes you might hear something different from a verbal conversation. We've got the document right in front of us that we can 01:16:55
compare, that the public can lay eyes on and see exactly what the terms of Waynesville's offer would be. 01:17:00
Versus what Georgetown's offer would be versus what New Albany townships. And that way it's it's as clear as clear can be. 01:17:05
As a lawyer, I can then do my job of reviewing the terms of it, make sure everything in it complies with all the records that 01:17:11
statutory requirements and things like that to advise you guys of anything on that. And then at the next meeting, you guys can 01:17:16
take a vote on which contractor contracts you believe is the most appropriate ones. 01:17:21
That would be my advice at this point. 01:17:26
OK, well we have to have the Langeville Fire Chief. 01:17:28
They would have to be the one to sign it. Either that or something providing that that they are organized to where the trustee has 01:17:31
a witness, statutory trustee and there could get nowhere with him. 01:17:35
What you said earlier, we can go around him and go through. 01:17:40
The Fire Chief to get it. 01:17:43
Contract sent, right. The the statute says that we have to contract directly with the Volunteer Fire Department. So unless they 01:17:45
have done something in their organization, in their organizing documents or something like that to give the trustee the power to 01:17:50
contract for them, by statute it would have to be whoever. 01:17:55
So for example, a lot of Volunteer Fire departments set up for themselves a non profit corporation or something like that and then 01:18:00
they appoint a Fire Chief as the CEO or something like that. I don't, I, I don't know how Waynesville has set itself up, but 01:18:05
however, as a business entity, Lanesville has set itself up. 01:18:10
Whoever is at the top of the pyramid on that particular organization is who we would have to have signing that contract. OK, so. 01:18:16
Any other discussion? 01:18:26
All in favor. 01:18:30
All in favor. 01:18:31
Raise your hand. 01:18:33
All opposed. 01:18:34
Are you going to? 01:18:39
I want to make it clear that. 01:18:42
They have 30 days. 01:18:44
And we have I want to ask. 01:18:45
We're all in agreement that. 01:18:48
If we do this. 01:18:50
In 30 days we have this all in writing. We get to look at this with our eyes and make a vote in 30 days. 01:18:52
And that that is my understanding as I've tried to word it out and explain the motion that Ann has made the motion. And Donna 01:18:59
second it is, is we're only considering in 30 days. 01:19:03
The on paper proposals submitted by everybody and if they don't want to submit an on paper proposal. 01:19:07
They're not going to be in consideration in 30 days. Am I correct in my understanding of that, Anne? 01:19:13
OK. 01:19:17
So I vote for the 30 days. So motion passes. 01:19:23
All right, moving. 01:19:27
Moving right along. 01:19:28
Don't need to go ahead and search. 01:19:33
The next meeting. 01:19:36
OK. 01:19:37
We got January. How about? 01:19:41
In April. 01:19:44
Since we was just. 01:19:47
Well, we can go. 01:19:50
Quicker 30 days from now, so how about March? 01:19:52
I don't know what day the about 15th it would fall on. 01:19:57
Yeah. 01:20:01
Yeah. With February, that's going to technically be 28 days, so would put us on the 12th. So if you wanted to look at March 19th, 01:20:05
that puts us just beyond that 30 days to make sure we've got all of our written submissions at that point done. OK, I'll be fine. 01:20:12
I will have to check to see if this room is available. 01:20:24
March 13th. 01:20:29
March 13 or March 12? 01:20:31
Or nineteen. 19th was 19th was the Wednesday. Assuming that that's the day of the week that works best for everybody. 19th is 01:20:34
Wednesday. 01:20:38
16 minutes out of the 12. 01:20:46
The 19th right? 01:20:47
And just as a reminder to the board. 01:20:48
I mentioned this Donnie to you while we were before we came on the record. Starting July 1st, the General Assembly requires us for 01:20:51
all of our public meetings to have them live streamed and recorded. 01:20:56
So going forward, for the folks who are in attendance tonight, we will probably start having all of our official Franklin Township 01:21:01
meetings here at Pineview since it is set up to allow us to do this. 01:21:06
Don't you want to change the? 01:21:12
And we can have it 6:00. 01:21:16
Clock. 01:21:17
Should I read with you, Anne? 01:21:20
Yeah. 01:21:24
And you have to check and see if we can get the. 01:21:28
Building here. 01:21:30
Charlie and I'll check with Suzanne on that, Donnie for you. 01:21:33
That's all the business that I have. 01:21:38
That's all the business that we have on the agenda. 01:21:44
I have a motion to adjourn. 01:21:46
We'll make a motion to turn. Do I have a second? 01:21:49
2nd. 01:21:52
Second, all in favor? 01:21:53
It's adjourned. 01:21:58
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