• Upgrading the Bath Fire Station has moved a step closer for the Groton Fire District with the purchase of a pumper truck. The truck was purchased from the Aberdeen Fire Department for $10,000.
• The truck has been housed at the Bath Station and training on the new pumper is being organized. There is still some work needed on the truck, such as stenciling and retooling the radios. Groton Fire Chief, Dion Bahr will see to the needed work.
• Bahr proposed a motion from the Groton Firemen to purchase a new 6-wheeler to be used on grass fires. The Groton Fire board would pay $5,000 towards the purchase and the firemen would pay the rest of the proposed $23,000. The board approved the purchase. It will join an older 6-wheeler and a 4-wheeler already owned by the department. There was some discussion on stationing the 4-wheeler at the Bath Station is room allowed.
• Bahr also reported that during a recent controlled burn, used as a training event, the older 6-wheeler was damaged. It seems that over the years, dried grass and corn stalks had accumulated under the seat and a spark caught fire, causing a smoldering fire that damaged the air intake and shifting wires. The vehicle is being fixed.
• Each year the fire department receives requests for the department to do control burns for property owners. Bahr asked the board for clarification on the board policy on these burns. The board left the right to turn down burns up to the fire chief. He will have the final say in whether the burn can be used as training or not. The property owner would be required to cover costs and sign a liability waiver for any burns conducted by the fire department.
• The county has asked fire departments to report how many bottles of SCBA's they may need. The county then orders them at a reduced rate. Bahr said that Groton will need at least three or four bottles. The expected cost will be around $1,000 per bottle. The bottles are only good for so long and some of the ones Groton has are nearing their end date. SCBA stands for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
• Board member Dale Ringgenberg reported for the Groton Rescue Squad during the board meeting. He said that due to a shortage of funds, Stanford will soon stop offering free training for the rescue squad personal, as members are required to maintain so many training hours, an alternative solution may be required. One option is to have a training officer, this would be a paid position due to the hours required. The board will look at this option when the time comes.

(Continued on page 11)