Acting Fire Chief Josh Winter asked the Nevis City Council on June 13 for authorization to spend the remaining $2,000 in the fire department’s apparel budget to give each firefighter $100 in apparel.

This would include department-branded T-shirts, polos and/or hoodies to wear to events such as their pancake breakfast.

Mayor Jeanne Thompson made a motion to approve this proposal, and it passed without dissent.

Winter reported the fire department responded to nine grass fires June 4-10, including one that was quite large. “We’re glad for the rain,” he said. “The fuzz is gone, because that was mainly the cause of it.”

He added that the volume of medical calls have also increased with people coming back for the summer.

Winter voiced interest in purchasing various equipment powered with Milwaukee rechargeable batteries, including a cutoff saw, a ventilation fan, a scene light and a chainsaw, plus a six-pack battery charger.

He described the equipment as easier to use than the gas-powered equivalent and said they would always be charged as long as the fire truck is plugged in at the base. He said their size, power and battery life would suit their use and added that the department will keep its current equipment as a backup.

Winter said the Fire Relief Association would cover the purchases with a donation to the city from its fundraising revenue. Thompson advised Winter to bring bids to City Administrator Dawn Veit to prepare a resolution for council action in July.

Winter also discussed buying wildfire backpacks to replace ones that leak, and was advised to add those to the July bids.

He reported the association is also willing to donate funds to buy a Class A uniform for each firefighter, costing approximately $200 each and including a dress shirt, badge, nameplate and mourning bands, plus the cost of sewing on an arm patch.

Winter reported the fire department was unable to discuss the fire chief’s job description at this month’s meeting, due to several members being unable to attend. He said they will discuss it at their July meeting and bring it to the council’s July meeting.

The council went into a closed session regarding threatened litigation.

The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 11 at city hall. A budget workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 18 at city hall. In consent items and general business, the city council:

The council went into a closed session regarding threatened litigation. The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 11 at city hall. A budget workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 18 at city hall.