Ferdinand Town Council: New firefighter chosen, new fire truck in future

Special from Ferdinand News

For close to two years now, members of the Ferdinand Volunteer Fire Department have had something shiny, large and red on their wish list — a new pumper truck.

A grant applied for early in 2016 was denied so they went back to the drawing board.

At the Ferdinand Town Council’s meeting Tuesday night, a new possibility was explored. Ferrara Fire Apparatus out of Holden, Louisiana is offering a financing program at 0% interest, which could be appealing with a five-year payback.

Former Ferdinand resident Keith Sanders is a rep for Ferrara, and is willing to work with the Town Council and Fire Department to make the department’s wish a reality.

“He will do everything in his power to make it happen,” assured Fire Chief Dan Lindauer.

There are a couple of issues. One, on purchases that large (probably around $550,000) the town must go through a competitive bidding process. Attorney Bill Shaneyfelt suggested adding a financing component in the bid specs.

In addition, Town Manager Chris James has applied for a grant to pay for a new truck, and going through hoops to purchase would negate the grant, should it be awarded. However, Shaneyfelt suggested starting the process by determining what components are desired and getting everything lined up in the event the grant does not come through.

After it is ordered, it could take up to a year, so essentially getting all the ducks in a row would be beneficial, even if the town were to receive the grant. Council members agreed.

“It’s not a matter of if,” opined Councilman Ron Weyer. “It’s a matter of when.”

Councilwoman Debbie Johnson explained how Ferrara’s program works and noted that having the new vehicle would be beneficial for the town’s ISO determination, which in turn determines insurance rates for residents.

Shaneyfelt and Lindauer will begin putting a plan together, whether to be used should the grant be awarded or to get the best financing and price available if not.

In December, Lindauer announced the retirement of long-time fire fighter Randy Gehlhausen. On Tuesday night, Lindauer introduced Gehlhausen’s potential replacement. Zerrick Wells, who lives on 3rd Street, secured an associate’s degree in Fire Service and Safety Technology from VU.

The Warrick County native then continued his education for his paramedic’s license. He is also certified in Firefighter I and II, Hazmat, and is an EMT. After working for two years in Evansville he took a part-time job as a paramedic at Memorial, and has since shifted to full time.

He works nights and, as Lindauer explained, would be a real asset during daytime incidents which are more difficult to cover as many firefighters work out of town. “I was going to comment that Randy Gehlhausen has some pretty big shoes to fill,” teased Council President Ken Sicard, noting Wells certainly has the qualifications to fill them.

His appointment was approved, pending the required drug screening all new firefighters and town employees must go through.

After thanking the council for their approval, Lindauer noted the fire department is now at a full roster with 33 members.

As a final note, Lindauer reported the department was called out 10 times in December, eight for first responder calls and two fires. He said that in 2016 the department responded to 47 fires and 83 first responder runs, for an annual total of 130.

Police Chief Lloyd Froman also gave monthly and annual reports (see next week’s News for details). He reported the two new Chargers recently purchased will be detailed and should be outfitted by mid-February and he will be turning in the retired Crown Vic on Thursday to John Jones car dealership in Corydon.

Froman wanted to give a shout out to some of the police officers for their exemplary work, citing Eric Hopkins for solving a hit and run and Lt. Rob Randall, Sgt. Nathan Lueken and Assistant Chief Brian Seffernick for a recent drug arrest.

“They worked diligently,” he asserted.

During the one-hour meeting (almost a record) the council also:

• Reorganized for the year. Ken Sicard was re-elected president and Debbie Johnson will serve her first year as vice president.

• Learned financing is in place for the phosphorus abatement project. Mike Strahl with USDA was able to get the entire project financed at 1.875% for a fixed, 40 year loan.

• As to construction, Graves Plumbing will start on the necessary storage building by the end of January or mid-February, weather permitting. This will take about 60 days. The drying beds will be under construction in mid-April with a 190 day window for completion. In addition, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management granted an extension on the project to December 1.

• Heard Property and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken has been fighting a losing battle with leaves clogging the curb inlets and asked that residents keep an eye on the situation near their homes.

• Gave approval for Lueken and two Park Board members to attend an Indiana Park and Rec conference seeking a solution for problems with playground surfaces.

• Heard Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer wishes to attend (and received permission) a WETT Expo (water, wastewater, equipment, treatment and transport) on February 23.

• Signed contracts with Ferdinand Township for 2017 funding. The Township will pay $35,000 in two installments (June 30 and December 30) for fire protection and $25,000 in two installments on the same dates for park and recreation.

• Signed off on the ADA Plan.

• Heard from Clerk-Treasurer Bev Schulthise the state has not yet approved the 2017 budget. She said only 29 of the state’s 92 counties have received budget approval and locally, only Perry and Crawford have been approved. “Hopefully we’ll get it [approval] in the next few weeks so we can continue to operate,” she stated. Schulthise also suggested raising the Cum Cap Fund from 4¢ to 5¢ and, after being told it was a good idea, agreed to look into the necessary steps and share that information with Shaneyfelt.

• Learned both the wastewater and electric departments are making progress with plans to extend utilities to the planned Royal Ridge Apartment complex to be built by Dakota and Randy Begle.

• Heard from President Mike Steffe the Park Board has reorganized. He retains his seat as president, Matt Weyer will serve as vice president and Delores Boeglin will serve as secretary, with Natalie Howard filling the at-large seat.

•Learned from James that Carl Deel with Homeland Security will share new regulations governing festivals on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 p.m. in the back room of the Legion. Reservations are not necessary but beneficial. Contact him at cjames@ferdinandindiana.org or Sue Fink at finkster@psci.net for more information or a reservation.

• Also from James that organization for the 2017 Leadership Academy is in progress.

• Heard Sicard plans to attend the AIM Municipal Leaders and Legislators Roundtable January 13 in Evansville. AIM (Accelerating Indiana Municipalities) replaced the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.