112025_FireCommission_Minutes

VILLAGE OF BONDUEL/TOWN OF HARTLAND FIRE COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025 Chairperson Mark Miner called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and read the statement regarding the meeting notice. PRESENT: Dave Bohm, Russ Gehm, Chief Kevin Lynch, Mike Miner, and Richard Streetman. Excused: Tim Leitermann, Kevin Watermolen APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Bohm, and second by Gehm, to approve the agenda and to deviate from the order as necessary. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Streetman, and second by Gehm, to approve the Fire Commission minutes from August 14, 2025 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. ACKNOWLDEGEMENT OF CITIZENS/OPEN FORUM: REPORTS FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: Report on file. Chief Lynch shared that the ISO information came back as a Class III. 5/10 for Hartland with some of it being a Class III. Lynch also shared that Cecil Fire Department is now on auto dispatch if needed. OUTSTANDING FIRE BILLS: Report on file of outstanding fire bills. Commission reviewed report and discussed the milk tanker incident. NEW BUSINESS G1. Discussion and possible action on 2026 budget and capital equipment requests The Commission reviewed the 2026 Fire Department Budget as presented. Motion by Bohm, second by Streetman to approve the 2026 Fire Department Budget and capital equipment requests. Motion carried unanimously. G2. Discussion and possible action on Fire Department Dispatch Policy and letter Chief Lynch reported that the department has not been dispatched to several 911 accident calls until law enforcement arrives, resulting in delayed Fire Department response times. To address this issue, Chief Lynch has developed a Fire Department Dispatch Policy intended to establish and maintain automatic dispatch protocols. The policy ensures that the Bonduel Area Fire Department is promptly notified and dispatched to all reported fire incidents and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) within the department’s jurisdiction. Its purpose is to support life safety, incident stabilization, property conservation, and responder protection through the immediate deployment of fire resources. Chief Lynch explained that he has attempted to communicate the department’s dispatch policy to Shawano County Dispatch Director Kasey Cross and has drafted a letter outlining the justification for the policy and recommending updates to Shawano County Dispatch protocols. He submitted the draft letter to the Commission for review and approval. The Commission discussed the delayed 911 dispatch issues and reviewed the draft letter from Chief Lynch to Director Cross. Motion by Streetman, seconded by Bohm, to approve the justification letter as presented and authorize Chief Lynch to send it to Telecommunications Director Kasey Cross at Shawano County Dispatch. Motion carried unanimously. G3. Closed Session. Move to closed session to discuss potential fire fighter candidate, fire fighter performance, membership attendance, and background check reviews. Motion by Gehm, second by Streetman to move to closed session to discuss a potential fire fighter candidate fire fighter performance, membership attendance, and background check reviews. [Pursuant to Wis. State Statutes, Chapter 19, General Duties of Public Officials, subchapter V, 19.85 exemptions (1)(c) [Considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.] At the end of the closed session, the Commission will reconvene in open session. Roll call was taken, motion carried unanimously. Commission moved into closed session at 6:05 pm. Motion by Bohm, second by Streetman to return to open session. Motion carried unanimously. Commission returned to open session at 6:10 pm. Motion by Streetman, second by Bohm to draft and send a letter to firefighters for excessive absences and to promote two training officers to lieutenants. Motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS H1. Discussion and possible action on departmental procedures and protocols for the 4th of July Chief Lynch shared that this is still a work in progress but will continue to be reviewed by the department. By consensus, the agenda item will be revisited at the next meeting. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS OR NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED AT A FUTURE MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS Next Fire Commission Meetings: Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Motion by Gehm, second by Streetman, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mark Miner