More changes for fire board

POLSON — A veteran rural fire board trustee resigned at last Wednesday night’s monthly meeting as changes continue to ripple through the board after the results of the May 4 election saw two incumbents deposed.

Trustee Jim Manley sent a letter to the board, dated June 8, announcing his resignation, effective immediately. Manley did not attend last Wednesday’s meeting, nor the May meeting.

Manley’s letter voiced concerns over actions taken by the new board, and treatment of Big Arm firefighters.

“The way the Big Arm firefighters have been treated is not the board’s finest hour,” his letter read. “I do not think there is anything positive I can contribute by remaining on this board. I believe the board is doing or allowing things that violate Montana laws, some of which may have serious consequences. I am reluctant to participate in this.”

An advertisement will be placed in local newspapers announcing the fire board opening to encourage interested persons to apply for the position. The County Commissioners will appoint a new member after reviewing applications.

In other communications, board chairman Fred Nelson said three of seven firefighters from the Big Arm station had submitted their resignations.

Two local rural taxpayers attended to discuss a 2008 comment by Fire Chief John Fairchild concerning the accessibility of their houses in case of a fire. Board members were quick to renounce the two-year-old statement.

“If there is a request for service, Polson Rural will respond,” trustee Steve Stanley affirmed. “I didn’t say you’d get a Huey helicopter or a four-wheeler, but bottom line, you’ll get a response.”

Polson City Manager Todd Crossett was in attendance, and when the agenda item on the stakeholders meeting arose, trustee Jake Clapp deferred to Crossett to report on the issue. Crossett served as an unbiased mediator at the stakeholder meetings.

“I think the group was fairly useful in terms of raising old issues,” Crossett said. “Obviously, the nature of the board has changed and the board is no longer split in its decision-making process.”

Crossett said the meetings could occur less frequently, possibly every other month or quarterly, because of the lack of participation by people concerned with the direction of the board and its operations. Everyone at the last stakeholders meeting, held in early May, seemed to be in agreement and had no issues to discuss.

Much of the dissent and the reason for the stakeholders meeting, Stanley said, seems to have come from folks in Big Arm.

“I’m very, very tired of hearing that this board is intent on closing that station,” he said.

Rather, rural resident Dean Sams said, residents in Big Arm must realize the future of the station depends on them.

“Three or four people won’t be able to do too much,” he said. “Big Arm needs to have that explained to them quite bluntly, you need bodies that live there.”

The board also discussed maintenance projects, including putting up a fence outside and installing carpet in the main meeting room, which will cost close to $2,000.

The Polson Rural Fire Board will meet again next month.