Canaan Fire Commission approves minutes and routine payments; budget sent with no increase

The Town of Canaan Fire Commission met April 8, 2026, at 5:04 p.m. at the Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department firehouse. Chairman Dave Seney called the meeting to order and the commission recorded members present: Dave Seney (Chairman), Roxann Steinberg Whitaker, Tim Downs and Secretary Hazel K. McGuire; Larry Bulson was absent.

Commissioners approved the minutes of the March 11, 2026, regular meeting after a motion by Commissioner Tim Downs, seconded by Chairman Dave Seney. The minutes record that Roxann Steinberg Whitaker abstained on the motion to approve the minutes; the record lists the motion as carried.

The commission received the treasurer’s report following a motion by Roxann Steinberg Whitaker, seconded by Tim Downs, which the minutes record as carried unanimously. The meeting also recorded a pre-approved bill from Lindell’s Propane; Commissioner Tim Downs moved to pay the pre-approved bill, seconded by Roxann Steinberg Whitaker, and the motion was recorded as carried unanimously. The minutes list additional bills for approval, including Lindell’s Propane ($1,830.53) and Fire Tel Software ($2,353.00), with a total of $4,183.53 recorded under bills for approval.

Under old business the minutes note that several hydrants remain to be removed because they are not working. The record states the new owners of the property that contains the 126 Fire Pond are in favor of dredging the pond, with dredging attributed to Steve Dean (no formal motion or vote on dredging is recorded in the minutes).

The commission reviewed a range of new-business items and logistics for department operations and community events. The minutes state NASCAR plans to return to Lime Rock next year and the Jacobs Car Show falls on the same weekend; the department noted these scheduling overlaps. An ambulance is scheduled to be at the department in September 2026, the department will assist with the town’s 250 Celebration, trucks are scheduled for annual inspections at Gowans Knight, and employee physicals will begin in April. The minutes also note a POCD meeting on May 28, 2026, at the Senior Center and state that the department’s budget was sent to the selectman with no increase requested. Calendar items recorded include a Historical Festival on Aug. 15, a Chicken BBQ on Sept. 19 and a July 4 parade.

Votes at a glance: the minutes record the following formal motions — approval of the March 11 minutes (motion by Tim Downs; seconded by Dave Seney; Roxann Steinberg Whitaker recorded as abstaining), receipt of the treasurer’s report (motion by Roxann Steinberg Whitaker; seconded by Tim Downs; recorded as carried unanimously), payment of the pre-approved Lindell’s Propane bill (motion by Tim Downs; seconded by Roxann Steinberg Whitaker; recorded as carried unanimously), and adjournment (motion by Tim Downs; seconded by Roxann Steinberg Whitaker; recorded as carried unanimously). The minutes do not show roll-call counts for all items beyond the abstention noted on the minutes approval.

There were no formal new policy votes recorded in the minutes. The record primarily documents routine financial approvals, operational scheduling and upcoming community-event support. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.