Hoel and Stanley make debut at Rural Fire Board

POLSON - Newly inducted board members Beth Hoel and Steve Stanley made their debut at the Polson Rural Fire Board meeting last Wednesday night.

The board elected Fred Nelson as the new Chairman, Jack Clapp as Vice Chairman and Hoel filled the position of Secretary Treasurer.

In new business, Clapp made a motion to clarify operational responsibility. The board will control policy, while operations will now be the sole responsibility of the fire chief, John Fairchild.

"John, you understand that by doing this, we are putting all our faith in you," said Stanley. "It's your ball game now."

The board also clarified the roles of fire companies within the Polson Rural Fire District. They are for retirement purposes only.

Additionally, the department will go back to having one volunteer application for both Polson City and Polson Rural.

"Polson Volunteer Fire Department is inclusive of both city and rural," said Stanley. "Members of Polson Fire are members of both departments."

In old business, the board voted to leave the construction loan open and work to close it next month, once budgets have been fully reviewed. Stanley volunteered to act as the liaison between the firefighters and the board to finalize the new building.

In next month's meeting, the board will discuss short and long term planning.