Firth board adds dental coverage, approves storage rental and beer garden permit; keeps splash pad hours

The Firth Village Board voted to continue existing health benefits and add dental Plan B for employees, approving employer payment for single-employee dental coverage while leaving spouse and family coverage as employee-paid options.

The motion to ‘‘continue the current health benefits with the addition of the dental Plan B’’ was moved and seconded and approved by roll call. Board members said the change was meant to maintain continuity of benefits while offering dental coverage to employees who opt in.

The board approved several routine community items bundled during the meeting. Members voted to rent a 5x10 storage unit to support FAST volunteer needs so volunteers can have key access rather than using the fire barn, with the board noting an estimated cost of about $40 per month and the option to prepay annually.

The board also granted a requested beer-garden permit for Scott Papenhagen to operate during First Funday on June 27, subject to compliance with liquor-commission requirements and the village’s established closing hours (midnight was discussed as the likely limit). Members said past beer gardens produced no significant complaints.

On parks operations, the board kept the splash pad’s seasonal hours unchanged, retaining last year’s schedule (weekday and weekend hours were discussed in detail). Supporters said keeping the same pattern helped maintenance and controlled water use; members noted they can adjust hours later if necessary.

What the board approved

- Employee benefits: Continue current health plan and add dental Plan B (employer pays for single coverage). Motion approved (roll call). (SEG 003–SEG 044) - FAST storage: Approve renting a 5x10 storage unit for FAST volunteers (annual-payment option discussed). Motion approved. (SEG 059–SEG 093) - Beer garden permit: Approve Scott Papenhagen’s request for a beer garden during First Funday (compliance with liquor commission required). Motion approved. (SEG 095–SEG 109) - Splash pad hours: Keep the same seasonal hours as last year. Motion approved. (SEG 126–SEG 166)

The meeting closed with routine operational updates and schedules for upcoming community events, including the Small-Town Treasure Track (garage sales) on June 5–6 and First Funday events on June 27.

Next steps: The board directed staff to implement the approved benefit change and to proceed with the storage-rental and event-permit logistics. No formal vote tallies with named votes were recorded in the transcript; the meeting minutes should contain the official roll-call results.