?PROCEEDINGS
The Hackberry Fire Protection District 1 Board met in regular session at the Hackberry Fire Station located at 1025 Main Street on Monday December 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Members present by roll call were Mr. Gerald Landry, Mr. Butch Little, and Mr. Robert Silvers. Absent was, Mr. Curtis Fountain, and Mr. Ricky Maddox. The new Police Juror elect Michael Fewel was present. District Members attending were Chief Mark Granger, Assistant Chief Brad Lester, Captain Clint Welch, and Member Glen Welch. No guest attended. It was moved by Mr. Landry to call the meeting to order. The pledge and the Lord’s Prayer were led by Michael Fewell. Motion by Mr. Little to dismiss with the reading of the minutes. The motion was 2nd by Mr. Silvers and unanimously approved. Chief Granger reviewed Department activities and fire incidents since the last meeting. Chief Granger Reviewed the status of projects for the district: 1. Ladder 1 returned to station, 2. The new replacement fire engine specifications have been reviewed with a vendor, and the specifications are in the final stages, 4. The project for the new emergency power system and generator for the station is being evaluated for bids, and 5. The Hackberry main street station office and living quarters interior repairs are currently being evaluated for bids.
Under new business the following was discussed; 1. Destiny Seay has accepted the part-time Administrative Assistant job, 2. HFD hosting the January 2024 Mutual Aid meeting, 3. Hydrant testing contract proposal by the HWW was discussed, and 4. The renewal of the ad valorem tax for the district was discussed. Gerald Landry shared his knowledge of the fire district tax history. The original tax for the district occurred before there was a community municipal water system. Well water was often procured from the City Services salt dome storage facility via a fire hydrant the company installed and provided to the volunteer firefighters. Water was purchased as needed. The wording in the tax allowed for the rental of the hydrant as needed. Drafting hydrants were also placed in nearby waterways. Payment for the right to access some drafting hydrants via private property was sometimes required. The wording of the existing tax proposition needs to be changed to clearly reflect the current requirements. We should refer to other rural fire district tax propositions in our region of Louisiana. New purchase requisitions were reviewed for approval: 1. Bunker gear orders for new recruits, and replacement gear for older gear $24,220, 2. PIAL inventories for fire engines $11,403, 3. HFD Mutual Aid meeting meals, 3. Spare SCBA cylinders and RIT pack $16,745, 4. Additional 5” fire hoses for engines $11,402, Motion was made by Mr. Little and seconded Mr. Silvers and unanimously approved these purchase request. Motion was made by Mr. Little and seconded by Mr. Landry to dismiss the meeting. Motion unanimously passed.
Curtis Fountain /
Board President
Gerald Landry /
Board Member
Lawrence “Butch” Little /
Board Member
Ricky Maddox /
Board Member
Robert Silvers /
Board Member
RUN: Mar. 7 (M 6)