Ellendale Council OKs gear and tech upgrades for volunteer fire department

The Ellendale City Council on April 9 approved several purchases intended to complete outfitting the volunteer fire department and support ongoing operations. Fire Chief Logan Busho told the council lockers for the hall are due to ship the week of April 17 and that the department has moved in office equipment and installed internet access points; remaining punch-list items include a southwest door handle, A/C relocation and exterior landscaping.

Council approved the fire department's purchase requests after motions on the floor. A motion by Council Member Jon Asplund to buy hose couplers and hose totaling $4,751.05 passed by roll call with Asplund, Joel Meyer, Scott Swanson and Acting Mayor Scott Groth recorded as voting aye. The council also authorized up to $4,800 to buy a list of mostly Milwaukee-brand hand tools after the donation of a rolling toolbox, and approved a separate purchase of an office computer up to $1,500 for training and recordkeeping.

Chief Busho said the department's volunteer roster stands at 20 after one departure and one experienced recruit. City Clerk/Treasurer Steve Engel told the council the city will withhold final or contingency payments on the fire-hall contract until exterior and remaining interior punch-list work is completed. No formal dissent to the purchases was recorded.