The Culver Town Council members reviewed a request from Culver-Union Township Fire Department Chief Terry Wakefield concerning the purchase of 16 new radios for the firefighters.
The total cost of the purchase of radios is $92,063.60. Wakefield said they will receive the radios anytime between one and nine months.
Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim was asked how the radios would be funded. She commented that money had been set aside in the Cumulative Capital Development Fund for this purchase, with a portion of the funds provided by the Union Township Trustee and with $10,000 out of the Fire Department’s budget.
The council approved the purchase with a unanimous vote.
Union Township Trustee Marlene Mahler noted that over the last three years the township has spent $138,000 above the budget to supply a portion of funding for the Fire Department’s uniforms, helmets, and airpacks. While she stressed that she knows the importance of this equipment for the Fire Department, these large purchases are difficult on the township’s budget.
Wakefield added there is a more diligent effort to keep track of scheduling replacement equipment and will be budgeted accordingly.
