Mount Holly Fire District No.1

The Board of Fire Commissioners meeting involved tabling the minutes from the October 1st, 2025 meeting and approving vouchers for October 2025. Key reports were presented by the Director, Chief, Fire Official, Chief Apparatus Officer, Safety Officers, and the Westampton Township liaison. Discussion points included maintaining the grounds at Good Intent, the availability of AEDs, the need for a new appraisal, compliance with fire official requirements, safety protocols regarding personnel uniforms at incident scenes, and a significant decrease in unresponded calls since implementing the duty crew program. Committee reports addressed grounds upkeep, future operating guideline revisions, and upgrades to apparatus, specifically concerning the removal of a Chief decal from a command vehicle. New business included the approval of Resolution 2025-56 appointing a new Volunteer Firefighter, and the ratification of the employment agreement (Resolution 2025-57) with the Fire Director, which passed despite some dissent regarding contract language. Resolutions 2025-58, 59, and 63 were tabled. Resolution 2025-60 awarded a contract for AV system improvements. Resolutions 2025-61 and 2025-62 set wages for administrative and fire prevention personnel, respectively. Resolution 2025-64 regarding the codification of the Fire Director's job description was voted upon twice. Public comment covered support for the Fire Director, concerns about the placement of public comment on the agenda, demands for greater transparency through pre-distributed packets, questions about social media policy use, and general commentary regarding department politics and personnel matters. The Board entered and returned from a closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters, after which Resolution 2025-57 was voted on again. The meeting concluded with an invalid motion to adjourn followed by a valid motion to adjourn, with two Commissioners absent.

The agenda includes the swearing in of a new commissioner, reorganization of the board with nominations and votes for Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, and committee assignments for Building and Grounds, Personnel and Policies, Apparatus and Equipment, Planning and Services, and Budget/Finance/Insurance. The meeting also involves approval of requisitions, committee reports, personnel reports, old and new business, including the swearing in of officers for 1-year terms. Resolutions are slated for discussion, covering website designation for posting public meeting notices, authorization of a contract for auditing services, advertisement for a request for bid for legal services, establishment of an official depository, authorization of additions and deletions of signatories on the official depository, reaffirmation of the board's prior actions, authorization of line-item transfers, and authorization of a closed session if necessary. The agenda also includes a public comment section for general fire service matters, a director's report, a solicitor's report, and a chairman's report.

The meeting included discussion and updates on the Relief Project, including interior demolition and site fencing. The board discussed the staffing situation of the Fire Prevention Bureau and the immediate need for a fire inspector to perform resale inspections. Resolutions were approved for implementing mandatory direct deposit, establishing a Procurement Card (P-Card) Program, and appointing a Fire Inspector. A work session meeting was scheduled to further discuss the operations of the FPB.

The meeting included an update on the Relief Project, with discussion of the construction mobilization timeline and benchmark dates for remediation, demolition, and relocation. The board approved a resolution authorizing the Director to enter into a Lease Agreement for the relocation of equipment and apparatus during the Relief Project. Appreciation was expressed to the America Emergency Squad for permitting temporary storage of the brush truck at Station 509.

The meeting included discussions regarding the resignation of Commissioner Haines, the nomination of a new Secretary, and a resolution recognizing Commissioner Haines for their service. The board also discussed filling the vacant Board position and appointed an Acting Fire Chief. Updates were provided on the Relief Project, and discussions were held regarding the operations of the Fire Prevention Bureau and the sustainability of membership and operations, including the need for a recruitment and training program.