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Bolton Fire Commission reviews 88 calls, training facility progress and capital-equipment priorities
Summary
At its Sept. 23 meeting, the Bolton Fire Commission heard that the department responded to 88 emergency calls since July, reviewed completion of the training building roof and discussed capital projects including radios, an off-road UTV and hydraulic rescue tools. Commissioners approved minutes and set an Oct. 28 meeting.
Fire Commission Chairman John Morianos convened the Bolton Fire Commission on Sept. 23, 2024, and Chief Bruce Dixon reported the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department responded to “88 emergency calls since the last meeting in July,” including three motor-vehicle accidents, an attic-fan fire, a lawn-mower fire, an LPG-tank leak, a mattress fire, a furnace malfunction and a solar-panel electrical fire, plus 10 fire alarms and numerous emergency medical-service calls.
The report, delivered as part of the chief’s regular communication, also noted that all apparatus are in good working order but that Service 134 had a razor blade embedded in a right rear tire after a call on Interstate 384; Dixon said new tires are on order. Dixon told the commission the new training building prop has its roof completed and is awaiting batten strips and doors; Bolton Volunteer Fire Department members have been conducting multiple drills on extrication, stabilization, EMS patient removal, electrical-wire scenarios and Incident Command.
Fire Marshal Bill Call summarized recent departmental activity and inspections, including a Bolton High School lockdown drill, a callback to 11 Elizabeth Road, a callback on Volpi Road for living-condition concerns, attendance at a Connecticut Regional Fire Marshals Association meeting in Newington, an all-day code class in Portland, and distribution of fire-prevention poster-contest materials. Call said Fire Prevention Week is scheduled for Oct. 6–12, 2024. He listed inspections completed since the last meeting: Bolton High School (yearly), Bolton Center School (yearly), Villa Louisa (yearly), two inspections at Rockland Farms store, an above-ceiling inspection at 17 Howard Road, Montessori School (yearly), a tent inspection at 16 Shoddy Mill Road, and two burn-permit inspections.
During discussion Commissioner Robert Langton asked about the status of the group home at 86 Volpi Road. Fire Marshal Call said that location is inspected once a year; Chief Dixon asked Call to check the current status and report back to the commission.
Under new business Dixon identified planned capital-improvement priorities for upcoming budgets and procurement: replacement/upgrade of radios, purchase of an off-road UTV, acquisition of hydraulic rescue tools ("Jaws of Life") and an officer vehicle. He also said conversations with the town administrator are ongoing about future personnel needs; no staffing decisions were taken at the meeting.
On procedural business the commission approved the July 22, 2024 meeting minutes on a motion by Commissioner Robert Langton, seconded by Commissioner Chris Moquin; the motion carried by voice vote. Payment of bills was deferred to the October meeting. Chairman Morianos moved to adjourn at 7:29 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Robert Langton and carried by voice vote. The commission set its next regular meeting for Oct. 28, 2024.
