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August 3, 2006 Special Meeting
Maine Minutes
August 3, 2006
Maine Town Hall
6111 N. 44th Avenue
Wausau, WI 54401
Special Meeting
Minutes:
Chair Hoenisch called the special meeting to order at 8:08 a.m.
Fire Department Issues:
Chair Hoenisch asked John Ohrmundt to introduce his guest, Mike Pierce, Fire Chief of the Weston Fire Department. Chief Ohrmundt thought it was a good idea to invite Mr. Peirce to share his thoughts and opinions with the Board.
Chief Ohrmundt joined the Fire Chief Association to gain experience. Failure was not an option for John as a novice Fire Chief he stated.
Chief Ohrmundt felt he was gaining confidence after continuing education. He thinks the community has a sense of pride of our Town of Maine Fire Department.
Mr. Ohrmundt feels the participation of the volunteer fire department as a team is crucial. In 27 years there has not been one volunteer that has left due to poor management of the department. The relations built between the Boards and the Fire Department for 27 years a lot has been accomplished.
He has 40 personalities to deal with at this time with the volunteer fire department.
Somebody is not going to be happy all the time. He feels it’s challenging to be a Fire chief at times.
The Town Board does have the final decision for the fire department.
August 3, 2006
Chief Ohrmundt has to follow the rules of the Board along with the State Statutes.
Chief Ohrmundt feels he has nothing to gain and he is the Fire Chief for the benefit of the Town. He feels popularity is an issue at times as he makes unpopular decisions to benefit the Town. Mr. Ohrmundt stated if there’s a serious issue, now or in the past, he will contact the Town Board to discuss the issue. He feels that issuing surveys is not a good idea as it can split the volunteer fire fighters. He will, however support the Board’s decision. He’s requesting the surveys not be sent to the fire department but will support the Board’s decision.
Chief Ohrmundt feels our volunteer fire department has a great record to be proud of. There are area volunteer fire departments that go thru many personnel. He feels we are at full strength we have not had a missed call in 27 years. He feels the method of correction is crucial.
Chief Pierce has been associated with fire departments and consulting for 34years. Wausau hired him to put a paramedic services in place. He also was utilized as a management consultant for Wausau. He is now employed by Weston which is from volunteer fire department to a permanent fire department.
He is building a staff at Weston that can continue on after he leaves this position. He builds systems that take care of themselves. He’s consulted with Rib Mountain. Fire Department to advise them. When he was brought in as a consultant the fire chief was relieved of his duties. He feels from his experience Chief Ohrmundt and the Town of Maine Fire Department are doing a great job. Having not missed calls in 27 years is a phenomenal record. He stated having 40 volunteer fire fighters like the Town does is good.
Chair Hoenisch asked Chief Pierce when Weston was a Town and had a volunteer fire department what was their drop call rate. Volunteers were hard to find during daytime hours. Weston has changed from volunteer fire fighters to paid positions.
Chair Hoenisch stated that Antigo, Town of Texas have volunteer fire departments that hold elections. His concern with elected officers is due to people dynamics, they have to have certain qualifications for officer’s positions. He’s not against the Chief taking input for elections. A chief should have goals for his team. You have to be careful in electing officers. He feels an assessment is essential in determining officers positions. An evaluation from the membership asking them to rate an applicant’s skills is taken under consideration for each applicant.
Chief Pierce’s recommendation in selection of officers is you should go with the Chief’s recommendations and also use an election as a component for determining officer’s positions.
Chief Pierce stated that 80% of firefighters that die in the US are volunteer fire fighters. The leadership given to officers and personal training is what makes a strong department.
Officers have to say no to people to protect the public and their own fire team.
Chief Pierce stated popular vote for elected positions must be scrutinized.
August 3, 2006
Chief Pierce suggested the Chief put the survey out and have it returned to the Board. Give the Chief the right and opportunity to support the survey.
Chair Hoenisch explained that the current bylaws state there must be elections held which allows input from the volunteers. At present the proposed new bylaws do not specify a term length to the officer appointments. The concerns that have been brought to our Board we as Town Officials need to get to the bottom of the issues.
Chief Pierce stated that some departments that have paid officers positions which have some sort of reappointment where a person is reviewed and the department looks at performance. He feels this is not a negative thing. It not reviewed with in trepidation. A review process with membership input helps the officers and the chief see the need for improvement or changes. It can be a good idea for the employee review the officer to continue communication.
Chief Pierce stated that a chief wants quality input. Some surveys don’t yield quality input. Anonymous surveys can bring issues up however you need to encourage communication and for people to speak up with problems or concerns.
Expect this; an anonymous survey doesn’t let you key in on what persons have what issues. Chief Pierce doesn’t know of a chief that wants problems to continue.
He suggests having the Chief to put the survey out to the fire department. He prefers to have the chief issue the survey. He sees complaints that start coming to the Board instead of the Chief harmful.
Supervisor Wanke stated the survey asks the volunteer fire fighters their opinion of the bylaws and possible changes.
Chair Hoenisch prepared the surveys and Supervisor Zernicke and Chief Ohrmundt approved the survey. Chair Hoenisch does not want to plant a negative seed that is detrimental to the department. Marilyn Grunenwald stated to tell Chief Pierce that Chair Hoenisch tell him her husband is on the volunteer fire department and he vents the concerns he hears to her. Chair Hoenisch stated because her husband is on the fire department members feel as ease in discussing their frustrations.
Chief Pierce suggested a line on the survey that would distinguish the fire fighters from the officers. He suggested having the Chief address the survey issues and correct the problems within a certain amount of time. The Board should not take over the Chief’s job. Chief Pierce stated that volunteers do what they do because they want to do it not because they are paid for it.
Chair Hoenisch asked if Chief Pierce could come to a fire meeting. He suggested this is not a good idea, that’s Chief Ohrmundt’s job.
Chair Hoenisch stated as town officials it’s our job to address the 14 complaints the Board has received.
Chief Pierce suggested to put the department thru a statistical planning session to set goals for the future. Identify goals and objectives and work with membership to get input, it gets people to focus and involve themselves. How you handle the complaint is crucial stated Chief Pierce.
A short discussion followed with the Board and they will decide the timeline as stated in the July 10, 2006 meeting. The survey will be handed out by Chief Ohrmundt as recommended by Chief Pierce.
The Board thanked Chief Pierce for coming.
IROW Large Item Cleanup-Chair Hoenisch has requested dates from IROW and there hasn’t been a response. Supervisor Wanke made a motion to have a spring clean up in 2007, seconded by Supervisor Zernicke, motion carried.
Records Update- Chair Hoenisch and Marilyn Grunenwald are making copies of past records being held at the Hess Law Firm.
Chair Hoenisch stated that we will start shouldering in a week or so when there is cooler weather.
Chair Hoenisch stated Vernelle Carazalla deeded Parkchester lots 4, 8 and 9 to the Town on July 25, 2006. The deeds and transfer papers were recorded at the Register of Deeds office on July 26, 2006.
Chair Hoenisch gave the Supervisors an update on roads.
Road Testing on 28th Avenue-The Supervisors traveled to 28th Avenue to examine test holes.
Supervisor Wanke made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:21 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Zernicke. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted and approved on August 14, 2006
Kimberly A. Freund
Town of Maine Clerk
Last modified: 03/22/07.
Archive:
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