Officials to pursue joint executive session to clarify who signs ambulance and ladder-truck leases

The chief asked the group to coordinate a joint executive session with the town council and the fire territory to resolve who signs contracts and how funds are administratively handled.

"The ambulance contract for the lease has not been signed. The ladder truck lease has not been signed," the chief said, arguing those items and bookkeeping practices need clarification. He proposed meeting with council leadership and counsel to "iron out" roles so that fire administration and the fiscal body have a clear understanding of responsibilities.

Members discussed whether purchases funded from joint sources (the town and township fire levies) should be approved by a fire-focused governing body. One participant said a territory-focused group can avoid duplicative approvals and better concentrate on fire needs.

Next steps: attendees suggested trying to schedule the joint session in July or between meetings, with a target start time discussed around 6 p.m.; the chief said he would coordinate and review draft language circulated by a colleague before presenting it to counsel.

No formal change to contracting authority was adopted at the meeting; the action recorded was an agreement to pursue a joint session and further review of draft contractual language.