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Saint Marys council approves 2023 CDBG modification; fire report shows lower 2025 fire losses
Summary
Council approved a 2023 CDBG modification by voice vote and heard annual reports: the fire department reported total 2025 fire losses of $502,500 and an in‑city average response time of 6 minutes 17 seconds; city manager summarized police promotions and parks activity.
Saint Marys — At its April 20 meeting, the City Council approved a modification to the city’s 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and received annual reports from the fire and police departments and the city manager.
The council moved and seconded the CDBG modification and approved it by voice vote; the transcript records "The ayes have it." The council did not provide a roll‑call tally in the meeting transcript.
Billy, who presented the Crystal Fire Department annual report, said 2025 was the busiest year since 2017 with 335 calls and that the department’s total fire loss for 2025 — buildings, contents and vehicles — was $502,500, down from a prior year loss of $808,986. He credited mutual aid agreements and the department’s prevention programs for the reduction and said the department’s in‑city average response time from pager activation to on‑scene was 6 minutes 17 seconds (9 minutes 31 seconds when mutual‑aid responses are included).
City Manager Joe (speaking during the manager’s report) thanked both departments, noted internal police reorganizations and promotions — including Sergeant Pizner’s new investigative role and Patrolman Kronowetter’s assignment as the new K‑9 handler — and highlighted parks and recreation events (a successful fishing derby and cleanup day) and upcoming seasonal work (street sweeping and line painting ahead of Memorial Day).
Treasury figures reported in the meeting packet showed general fund revenue pacing and year‑to‑date expenditures through March 31, 2026; the transcript records percent‑of‑budget figures (for example, general fund revenue at 8.2% of budget for the current period) and a note that pension accounts saw a March decrease due to market volatility.
Council members offered brief thanks to the police and fire departments and announced community events including a revised Memorial Day parade route ending at Shawmut Park. The meeting adjourned after a motion by Steven and a second; the transcript shows the voice vote carried.
The council indicated it will publish meeting materials and follow up as actions such as the CDBG modification are processed by staff.
