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Bolton Fire Marshal to retire; department reports 63 calls and requests 8% budget freeze
Summary
At its Oct. 23, 2017 meeting the Bolton Fire Commission accepted Fire Marshal Raymond A. Walker Jr.'s retirement notice effective Nov. 17, 2017. Chief Bruce Dixon reported 63 emergency responses since Sept. 18, described a multi-town water-supply drill and said he requested an 8% town budget freeze on certain BVFD accounts.
The Bolton Fire Commission on Oct. 23 accepted Fire Marshal Raymond A. Walker Jr.'s letter announcing his retirement, effective Nov. 17, 2017, and reviewed operational reports from Chief Bruce Dixon that included a recent surge of emergency responses and training activity.
Chairwoman Cheryl Udin convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Bolton Firehouse. Commissioners John Morianos, Robert Langton and John Roback were present; Chris Moquin was recorded absent. The commission approved the minutes of the Sept. 18, 2017 meeting on a motion by John Roback seconded by John Morianos (voice vote reported as unanimous).
Chief Bruce Dixon told the commission the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department answered 63 emergency calls since Sept. 18, 2017, including vehicle accidents, vehicle fires, alarm responses and numerous medical calls. Dixon said he had sent a letter to Administrative Officer Joyce Stille requesting that certain BVFD budget accounts be put on hold as part of an 8 percent budget freeze; town staff acknowledged and accepted the Chief's request.
Dixon also described a large-scale water-supply exercise he organized at the Hebron Fairgrounds on Oct. 22, 2017. The drill involved 16 departments, 23 apparatus and about 130 personnel from 18 towns; 13 tanker vehicles shuttled roughly 131,000 gallons to supply aerial and master stream operations, according to Dixon's report to the commission.
The commission noted the department's community outreach work. BVFD and the Fire Marshal's Office presented fire-prevention programs at Bolton Center School (more than 215 students participated) and assisted the Archdiocese of Norwich by displaying an American flag between BVFD Truck 134 and Baltic Fire Department ladder truck during a Diocesan Mass honoring firefighters and EMS personnel. Deputy Fire Marshal Volkert and Captain Rexroad also attended a Board of Education meeting to promote greater participation in the annual poster contest.
Fire Marshal Walker's written correspondence to the commission included his retirement notice and the meeting packet also contained town correspondence about the FY2018–2019 budget timeline and the proposed 2018 schedule of regular meeting dates. Under new business the commission approved the attached listing of 2018 Fire Commission meeting dates (motion by John Roback; second by John Morianos; voice vote unanimous). The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 27, 2017; the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Minutes were submitted by Board Clerk Janet Assard.
