Question of budget at issue, need to sell current wheels

On the market for an old fire rescue truck, even just for parts? If so, the Stanley Fire Department could use the funds, for a water truck.

Appearing before the Council Monday, Feb. 6, Fire Chief Korey Hagenson was turned down in his request to bid on a 2005 International 7400 S/A Water Truck, the reason being budget concerns.

“So my question is, where does the budget stand?” Ward 1 alderman Mark Fitzsimmons asked Hagenson of the fire department. With the fire hall building still in need of work to bring it to optimal shape, there was only a limited amount of money to spend in the department, and going outside prescribed limits could only work for so long. It had to be planned out better.

“But my point is, money wasn’t budgeted for this,” Ward 2 alderman Jason Meyer echoed Fitzsimmons on the truck posted online at $26,000, with auction to close on Thursday. Hagenson had sought to obtain permission to bid on the 2005 International on the gourds that the current fire rescue had several issues, including a leaky transmission and lack of working windshield defroster.

The Council didn’t disagree on the need for a new truck, but returned to the budget planning issue.

“I think what you have to do is try and sell the other one first,” mayor Al Haas said of obtaining the funds in question for a replacement fire rescue.

The matter was ultimately tabled for the present.

Also up for notice from the Monday Council meeting was the police update, with Stanley Police chief Lance Weiland informing the Council in his report that there would be an upcoming active shooter response training at Stanley-Boyd High School while students and staff are away on spring break.

The training, which will be countywide, is a three-day event and will be conducted by the local sheriff’s department. The plan is to rotate the training each time to a new school so that all officers are acquainted with each district. Also contained in the chief’s report was the news “Take A Stand Against Meth” town hall meeting at Stanley- Boyd High School on Wednesday, March 15. The last time such an event was hosted was just prior to the pandemic. There is no cost for the event, and all are welcome.