The Becker Township Board has appropriated CARES Act funding in the past several months to prepare for safe elections and to ensure transparency by bolstering its ability to broadcast meetings for the general public. Monday evening, they took action to provide a level of safety for the Becker Fire Department by approving the purchase of coveralls and turnout gear.
Supervisor Luke Babler reported that the fire board has been working with Chief Doug Kolbinger to prioritize a list of needs for the department when it comes to protecting personnel who are serving on the front lines of the pandemic.
The resulting list includes coveralls used for medical calls, another set of turnout gear for all firefighters, an additional LUCAS device (used for chest compressions on medical calls), and some additional training and cleaning supplies.
The department actually serves three entities including Becker Township, the City of Becker and Santiago Township. All three governmental agencies are working with the department to access CARES Act dollars where possible. Currently,, there is a great deal of sharing of equipment between Station 1 in Becker and Station 2 in Santiago. For example, personnel responding to Station 2 do not have access to a washing machine and must drive to Becker to launder their gear, which is now recommended on a much more frequent basis due to covid concerns.
Once the turnout gear is washed, it can take up to four days for it to properly dry. Having an extra set would allow more frequent washing of the gear and having another set dry and ready to go for the next call.
Chairman Brian Kolbinger, who also serves with the fire board, noted that the list isn’t just a wish list, but in his opinion is responsible and is focused on firefighter safety and efficiency.
After some discussion about meeting the timelines associated with the CARES Act, as well as the funds available and expectations for future expenditures, the board felt the most prudent action was to purchase the coveralls and the additional set of turnout gear for all firefighters. Doing so will help ensure it arrives before November to comply with the rules of the CARES Act. As such, they approved a motion to approve the expenditures in the amount of $135,000.
ATV’s
Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Dan Frank presented the report for the previous period, which noted 187 calls for service including several 911 hang-up calls that were actually the result of flooded phone lines. For some reason, when the water gets into certain lines they malfunction and automatically dial 911.
In addition, Frank reminded residents that as of August 1st, ATV’s are allowed to be ridden in the ditches south of Highway 95 as the bird nesting season is completed.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a gambling permit for B-BL hockey to operate at Monty’s Tropical Hideout;
• Sent favorable recommendation to the county for a shoreline variance application for Roxanne McGill who lives on Danzel Slough;
• Approved Wes Davis’ recommendation for a partial payment for concrete apron work on 185th avenue;
• Reviewed the easement drawings for the turn around on 112th street;
• Approved the relocation and installation of several mailboxes on 77th street as they were originally moved on a temporary basis to help with road construction;
• Directed Davis to develop plans for 164th avenue to assist in future budgeting. As the project begins to take shape, the board pans to speak with the surrounding landowners about the scope of the project;
• Approved the new Logo for the township to use in coinciding with next year’s 150 year celebration;
• Approved the purchasing of iPads to replace the current tablets that are outdated and unreliable at over ten years old;
• Tabled a funding request from the Sherburne History Center until more information is gathered;
• Decided to explore placing garbage receptacles at the front of the building because of the increase in foot traffic and business in the area.
