Hendricks Twp. To Ask Residents for Fire Aid
Millage Would Buy Fire Truck, Rescue Equipment
By Ellen Paquin

Hendricks Township will seek 2.5 mills for five years May 8 to purchase fire and rescue equipment, at the urging of volunteer firemen during the township's Wednesday, March 7, meeting.

If approved by voters, the millage will raise about $89,000 over its five-year term, said Fire Chief Al Dyer, allowing for the purchase of a "good, late model, used pumper truck" for about $30,000, and other equipment like heat sensors, gas analyzers, and Jaws of Life extrication tools.

The fire truck tops the department's needs, Mr. Dyer said, to replace a 1964 Ford pumper truck that's been in use for more than 40 years.

"With this millage, we could get a good used truck that will fit our department well," Mr. Dyer said. "The pumper truck we have now has some problems, including fluctuating pressure. One of these days, it is just going to let us down.

"The needs of a rural fire department are great. We don't have basics like heat sensors to find heat within a wall, or gas analyzers to detect poisonous gases in someone's home. We have people state certified in extrication, but no extrication equipment. We should have that tool and Global Positioning System locators to help us on snowmobile trail rescues. The good news is, we're trained and in a ready position" to use such tools.

Previously, the department has received grants to purchase needed equipment, so has not had to seek millage from township residents, Mr. Dyer said.

"Tribal grants have purchased generators, positive pressure fans, and light systems for our township," he said. "It's grants that have kept this fire department going. Now we need a millage to take care of our residents and get equipment in the shape it should be. We have come a long way, but I have been doing this for 10 years and I'm not satisfied yet with how far we've gotten. The efforts these volunteers provide are for the community. It's up to me to make sure they are able to do their job in safety."

Hendricks Township has a crew of 12 volunteer firefighters. The public will have an opportunity to see the department's firefighting equipment at an open house in April, Mr. Dyer said. The open house date will be announced soon.

One mill is one dollar for every thousand dollars of taxable property value.

In other business, the township board passed a resolution to send Mackinac County Board of Commissioners a letter in favor of an elected, rather than appointed, road commission, and further proposed that commissioners be elected by district. Under a new law, county commissioners have the option to expand the Mackinac County Road Commission to five members, and to designate whether members will be elected or appointed. Three commissioners presently serve on the elected road board, and they may be residents of any area of the county. The County Commission has asked for public opinions on the matter.