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Boardman OKs purchases for safety of firefighters
BOARDMAN
Trustees approved several purchases and recognized local veterans’ leaders for helping the township’s annual American flag program.
During their meeting Tuesday, trustees signed off on spending for these fire department requests: $3,105 for replacing outdated paging software, $5,600 for interface software, $3,708 for 12 mattresses to replace ones that are older than 10 years and $26,460 for 15 sets of turnout gear to replace gear that is more than 10 years old and no longer meets national standards.
Fire Chief George Brown said the department applied for a federal grant to cover the cost of the gear, but was denied.
“We need to be as safe as possible,” Brown said. He added that the department has secured $1,500 grants from both Walmart and Sam’s Club and worked with Carolina Bedding in Youngstown to get the mattress prices cut by $1,500.
Trustees also approved having the fiscal officer advertise for bids for the township’s road resurfacing program at an estimated cost not to exceed $360,000.
Road Superintendent Larry Wilson said portions of 14 township roads are set for resurfacing this year and pointed to the rising cost of materials, particularly asphalt, for fewer roads in the program. Wilson said that in 2001, the amount would have covered the cost of about 30 roads.
At the beginning of the meeting, trustees issued a proclamation to John P. “J.P.” Brown III, former AMVETS state and national commander, and AMVETS Post 44 for their donation of 60 American flags to be flown on Market Street and U.S. Route 224.
The township flies the flags on utility poles on those two streets annually from Memorial Day through September.
Brown said the AMVETS stepped in when they realized trustees needed help getting replacement flags.
“We wanted to donate to sustain the program. Although we own a building in Struthers now, our roots are here in Boardman, and we’re proud to support it,” Brown said.