By Jolene FarleyThe Hills City Council called a special meeting Monday to discuss the renewal of Fire Protection Contracts with the City of Steen and Clinton Township. Hills Fire Chief Doug Chapman and Hills Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Bass attended the meeting on behalf of the fire department.After reviewing the 2003 fire department expenses and the 2004 fire department budget, the council decided not to increase rates for Steen and Clinton Township. The City of Steen currently pays $2,500 per year and Clinton Township pays $320 per section for a total of $6,160 per year.Chapman and Bass told the council the fire department is filing for a federal grant to purchase a new tanker truck to replace a 1976 water tanker. If the fire department is awarded the grant, the city and Martin township would be responsible for 10 percent of the cost of the new truck. The city of Hills and Martin Township have more than $23,000 earmarked for fire truck replacement. It was suggested that the annual yearly investment should be increased. DeHaan Construction and Bass Construction will begin re-shingling the fire hall roof soon. Replacing the roof was an item in the 2004 fire budget. The project is estimated to cost $4,500. The overhead doors on the building will be replaced next year.
