Malta Fire Chief Updates City Council on Equipment Needed

Malta Fire Chief, Josh Newman, visited the Malta City Council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 12, to update them on equipment needed.

Newman first informed the council that the overall fire call numbers are down for the year at this time.

“I was really worried with the weather conditions that we had this past summer,” said Newman. “But everyone was really conscious of the conditions and were extra careful.”

He went on to say that the two bigger fires that they did have brought up a couple of things that the department might want to look into getting.

Newman told the council that they needed new fire monitors. The current ones have hard to find parts and parts cost about as much as a new one.

Fire monitors are deployable, controllable high-capacity water jet nozzles used for manual fire-fighting or automatic fire protection systems.

He also told the council that the current radios need better range and have hampered the fire departments effectiveness. He said that they want to purchase one of the models they are looking at to make sure that it works and does everything that the department needs to do. Newman said that the county department would be getting the same radios and would be helping with the cost on them.

Newman also told the council that new fire helmets need to be thought about. The current ones are coming up on being out of date for their safety.

The council looked at the budget for the fire department and a motion was made to ok the purchase of the monitors, helmets, and one of the radios for now. The motion was seconded and passed by vote.

Mayor Demarais added, “Tell all of your firefighters that the Mayor and Councilmembers truly appreciate everything that the volunteer fire department does for our community.”

Public Works Director Jim Truelove gave his report to the council.

He said that work continues for the fall prep. All the lines have been blown out.

The restrooms in Riverview and the State Park have been closed up.

Truelove then informed the council that he was forced to close the Veterans Park bathroom due to an individual trying to live in it. He said that the person was locking themselves in the bathroom and staying in there.

“The bathroom needs to be chemically sanitized,” said Truelove. “Deputies got a call Sunday night that the individual had locked themselves in the rest area bathroom as well. More than likely we will have to clean that one too.”

Truelove went on to inform the council that the city crew are continuing to trim trees in town and vacuum leaves.

The lagoon has been closed for the season.

And trees have been cleared out along the west side of the Women’s Club House. The stumps will be removed next.

Parks and Rec Director, Sally Wright, gave her report to the council.

Wright told the council that the free adult volleyball ended on Monday, October 4.

Wright said, “We had new people attend every week and we will be doing another session coming up in the spring.”

Wright said that HIIT’s Classes, Yoga Classes, Boot Camp, and Tiny Tots are the current programs that are being offered.

Tiny Dribblers is set to start on Monday, October 18 (K-2nd-grade) and Youth Basketball League will start on Tuesday, October 19 (3rd-6th-grades).

Wright then said, “We have been very busy trying to improve the tennis court for our community and making it usable. We are looking forward to having tennis lessons this coming summer.”

She said that two new tennis nets have been put up.

A new sign was made by the Boy Scouts and has been put up.

Wright added that she has been talking with PWD Truelove about getting the courts resurfaced and new lines painted.

For the only new business item on the agenda, the old National Guard Armory name was changed to the Malta Event Center. This change was made by unanimous vote. A new sign will be put up along the highway.

The next Malta City Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, October 26, at 5 p.m. at City Hall.