The Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board held its regular monthly meeting Monday evening and had the first reading of the 2013 township budget. No taxpayers were present to question the reading. The proposed general budget stands at $1.8 million for the year.

“It is up a little this year (2013) to purchase the land for the cemetery,” said Griffith, referring to a 1/2 acre of land adjacent to the township cemetery on CR 1000 North. The general budget also covers payroll, insurance and utilities.

The proposed township assistance budget stands at $74,000 for the year, down $10,000 from 2012. The proposed recreation budget stands at $9,500 for the year.

The rainy day budget is set to increase by a proposed $10,000 for the year. The proposed equipment replacement budget is $400,000 for the year.

Cates asked fire chief Mickey Scott if the equipment replacement budget was on track. Scott said the budget seemed to be on track with the equipment replacement schedule. In 2013, the budget is likely to fund the renovation of Fire Station One and the replacement of a 1991 fire truck, said Scott.

In his report, Scott reported the fire territory responded to a total of 108 fire and EMS calls in August, with an estimated property loss of $6,500.

In other news, Scott also reported on the following:

• The fire watch at Wawasee Middle School is in place through Sept. 21, or until the pool is filled in order to supply the sprinkler system.
• The department is working with board members and conducting research on a PERF plan for full-time employees of the fire territory.
• A preliminary drawing of an alternative proposal to adding a second story to Fire Station One was received. The subject is anticipated to be discussed at Thursday’s Fire Territory Executive Board meeting.
• The annual MDA Fill the Boot Drive was held Aug. 25 and $1,950.99 was raised.

In old business, the matter of charging for fire runs was discussed. Usually, home insurance policies include a clause for compensating fire department responses, said Scott. The compensation goes into the equipment fund and is often used to replace spray foam. Cates said she thought following the Indiana state guidelines on  fire runs costs would be best and asked Scott to bring the guidelines to the next meeting.

The Turkey Creek Township Advisors meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at Syracuse Fire Station Two. Board members are Dick Waterson, Kim Cates, president Bill Dixon and township trustee Barb Griffith.