Chaffee Fire reports increase in calls, plans new wildland engine; Boys & Girls Club gets lease extension to preserve project timeline

Chaffee Fire Chief Kiara Jones told the board that last year the district responded to about 645 calls (she added it was likely closer to 650) and that the district is planning to purchase a Type 3 wildland truck and a mini pumper to better serve steep, narrow roads in subdivisions such as Eagles Roost. The district plans to use a combination of cash and financing and has created a wildland captain position and some seasonal hiring to support mitigation and wildland dispatch work.

Chief Jones also described outreach efforts (school visits, "Coffee with Chaffee Fire" events), coordination with the sheriff for event coverage, and a district strategic plan; she invited trustees to ask questions and offered to share the strategic plan once finalized.

The Boys & Girls Club presented renderings and a revised one-story facility that retains a high-school-sized gym and flexible community spaces; the project team described a long capital campaign, major matching gifts and a federal/community grant pipeline. Because the original 2020 ground lease required improvements to commence within 36 months, the club and town staff requested a first amendment to extend that period to 48 months to allow ground-breaking within the new schedule. Trustees adopted Resolution No. 7, approving the 12-month extension to preserve the lease while the club completes fundraising and site prep; club representatives said they expect to spend certain grant funds (including a USDA opioid-abatement grant) on site preparation by March.

Trustees thanked district staff for service and expressed support for the Boys & Girls Club project's continued progress.