03-20-1972 MinutesPresent:
Mr. Irvin G. Hornet, Chairman
Mr. Leo Myers, Vice-Chairman
Mr. J. Ruffin Apperson
Mr. A. J. Krepela
Mr. E. Merlin O'Neill
VIRGINIA: At an adjourned meeting of the
Board of Supervisors of Chesterfield
County, held at the Courthouse on
March 20, 1972 at 4:30 P.M.
Also Present:
Mr. M. W. Burnett, Exec. Sec'y.
Mr. John E. Longmire, Asst. Exec. Sec'y.
Mr. James R. Condrey, Dir. Central Acctg.
The Chairman called the meeting to order to discuss the budget of the Nursing
Home with Mr. Jacob Mast.
At 7:30 P.M. the Board received a delegation composed of the Chiefs of all
Fire Departments with the exception of Dale District.
Chief Lohr of the Manchester Fire Department asked the question of what is
the plan for fire fighting as financed by the 1972-,73 budget, which question
was answered briefly by the Executive Secretary.
Chief Bowen states that the people in the Bon Air station thought that the
paid firemen were permanent, he requests that we do not do away with the 24-
hour jobs because the present employees will most likely quit since they now
make $2~000.00 a year on an average at other than County work. He states that
the Board should investigate how this plan will work and the Board has not
received a request for daytime fire fighters.
Chief Lohr states that parts of Maryland have daytime help only, that it does
not work well at all and begs the Board not to destroy what they have built
up ~n the last two or three years. He states that with the changing of
24-hour coverage to daytime coverage the insurance rate will drop from Class 6
to Class 9.
Chief Conyers states that they have spent many months in planning the proposed
program and if the County cannot give Chester what it asked for that the fire
department of Bon Air should not be wrecked to help Chester.
Dr. Martin states that hr would not tear down one company to build up another,
that this would be comparable to the way Richmond attacks its school problems.
Chief Eanes states that what has been said is generally true, that ~ would
hurt the fire fighting system if the eleven fire fighters of Bon Air were
divided into daytime crews for Bon Air and Chester.
Mr. Apperson states that the County is serving both rural and urban areas and
the rural people understand that insurance rates are reduced in the built-up
areas and they are paying for it, since the Bon Air Fire Department has only
a few calls in relation to some of the other companies and since it is so
close to the Richmond-City line perhaps it should be relocated and states further
that we cannot afford to give everyone everything, that the Board is trying
to get the maximum use of the dollar.
Chief Lohr and Chief Bowen both state that nine people plus some money for
sick leave and vacations would furnish Bon Air with a crew of three on duty
at all times. This would leave two people Chester.
There arose a discussion concerning the need to motivate firemen and to get
people working and training together, in order to do this it was stated that
closer association of the paid firemen and volunteer firemen was necessary.
Mr. Horner states that there is no money in the budget for financing additional
fire fighters.
Vhief Varnier of Ettrick and Chief Simmons of Matoaca both agree to wait for
another year.
Mr. Krepela states that we should delegate the authority of running the County's
program to the County Fire Chief. We should not put in jeopardy the fire
company of Bon Air unless the Board wishes to take the responsibility.
Chief Lohr thanks the Board for the aerial ladder truck and the sixteen fire
fighters to operate the new vehicle. It was generally agreed by the Board
that this matter would be discussed at a later date and the Fire Chiefs would
be notified through Chief Eanes.
On motion of Mr. Apperson, seconded by Mr. Krepela, it is resolved that the
Commonwealth,s Attorney be requested to file an answer to the Federal Court
of the charges made by John F. Bellamy, Jr., against the Judge of Circuit
Court and the Chief of police which necessitates the subpoenaing of the Board
of Supervisors.
Ayes: Mr. Homer, Mr. Myers, Mr. Apperson, Mr. Krepela and Mr. O'Neill.
On motion of Mr. Krepela, seconded by Mr. O'Neill it is resolved that this meeting
be adjourned at 11:25 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. on March 22,1972.
Ayes: ~Horner, ~. Myers, Mr. Apperson, Mr. Krepela and M~ .O'neill