The Rudyard Fire Department brought several concerns before the township board Tuesday, June 15, seeking the funds to go ahead with replacing locks, two lengths of hose, and a nozzle, in addition to buying two new sets of turnout gear to replace two older sets.

After various items had gone missing, including a nearly full five-gallon gas can, the fire department approached the township board for permission to change locks to both the fire hall and the office.

“We need to change the locks and keep the amount of people who have keys to get in the place limited to a select few,” said Rudyard Fire Chief Mark Besteman.

The total cost to replace the missing items is approximately $115, one-third of what it will cost to replace the locks on all three doors, billed as a $346 project.

The keyless entry can be adjusted, but the department ran out of parts to do so.

During routine testing of equipment, the fire department had two segments of hose fail. There was also concern over a chipped nozzle, Mr. Besteman said, and the condition of some of the turnout gear.

Replacing the worn turnout gear, or the fire-resistant external layer of clothing that goes over the other layers, for two firefighters, as well as obtaining a used nozzle in good condition, and two new segments of hose amounted to $4,639, an amount that is separate from the lock replacement.

Mr. Besteman said the turnout gear replacement is necessary.

The three members of the fiveperson township board in attendance voted 3-0 to approve all of the fire department's requests. The locks were viewed as an investment that protects the other investments.

“There's no sense in replacing equipment that could continue to walk out of there,” said township clerk Bruce Berkompas.

The fire department also informed those in attendance that the mass casualty exercise May 22, a simulated school bus accident, was a great learning experience for all involved.

The final piece of the windmill ordinance, regarding complaint resolution, was tabled again, as the three board members present said they needed more time to consider all of the options. The board is trying to balance the need to legitimately address citizens' concerns with the need to deter frivolous complaints by those looking to delay the erection and operation of wind turbines.

Requiring a fee to file a complaint is one of the options being considered.

The Rudyard Township board is comprised of Bruce Berkompas, Kathy Gaylor, Ron Van Sloten, Sharon Thompson, and Donna Hall. Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Hall were not in attendance.