Council debates FuelMaster maintenance deal amid public dispute over ownership and oversight; item moved to be tabled

The Stevensville Town Council discussed a proposed extended maintenance agreement with Syntex Systems Inc. for the FuelMaster point-of-sale system at the town airport and heard extended public comment alleging unresolved private ownership and legal disputes over the equipment.

Staff described the proposed six-month service agreement as a prorated contract for $850 that would retroactively cover about $820 in accumulated customer-service charges; the contract would provide unlimited service calls and parts coverage for the six-month term. Council member Parker moved to approve the FuelMaster maintenance agreement; Council member Brown seconded. Council members and members of the public asked whether the expense was in the airport budget and whether the town would be liable if the item were pursued while ownership or lease status remained contested.

Several public commenters, including a long statement by a former airport manager who said he had been operating and maintaining the system and asserted he remained the recorded owner, described a dispute involving prior vendors (Hawthorne), Choice Aviation, City Services and ongoing legal work. The commenter said the system had nearly 8,000 gallons in it when he inherited management, that daily inspection records and lease documentation were inconsistent, and that the town had not consistently received royalty payments from fuel sales.

Residents raised safety and compliance concerns about aviation fuel handling and daily inspection requirements. Another commenter asked whether the auditor had reviewed airport leases and records during previous audits.

After public comment and council discussion about legal ownership and potential liabilities, Council member Barker moved to table the FuelMaster maintenance-agreement item; a second was recorded. The provided transcript contains the motion to table and subsequent public remarks but does not include a final recorded vote on the table motion within the excerpt. Council discussion and public testimony identified multiple unresolved issues: ownership of the FuelMaster equipment, whether the town has the legal authority to enter the maintenance contract, insurance and liability while fuel remains on site, past lease and royalty accounting, and the need for any procurement or lease documents to be presented to council for review.

The agenda item as discussed was limited to the maintenance agreement; council members and the town attorney noted broader legal and lease issues may require separate action or confidential legal consultation.