Town of Cedar Lake
Board of Safety
May 13, 2026

Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Stick called the work session to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Discussion

Hanover Central High School — Car Wrap for SRO Vehicle

Mr. Stick welcomed representatives from the Hanover Community School Corporation and invited them to address the Board. The following individuals presented:

• Michael O’Donnell — Director of School Safety and Security, Hanover Community School Corporation; 38-year law enforcement veteran with 20 years in school safety
• Dr. Mary Tracy-MacAulay — Superintendent, Hanover Community School Corporation

Presentation by Mr. O’Donnell

Mr. O’Donnell addressed the Board. He explained the background of the proposal: Officer Jason Allande, the Cedar Lake Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Hanover Central High School, proposed incorporating a student-designed vehicle wrap on his assigned patrol vehicle. The vehicle is present at the school on a daily basis and the wrap was intended to strengthen the relationship between students and law enforcement.

Mr. O’Donnell stated that when Officer Allande brought the idea to him, he fully supported it. The concept is well-established in school safety practice; SRO vehicles with school-reflective designs are regularly showcased at state conferences and trainings. Dr. Tracy-MacAulay was equally supportive. Fifteen students submitted design proposals in a graphic arts class competition; the students voted and selected a design by a student named Logan as the winner.

Officer Allande also secured outside donations (from the FOP, PTO, and other sources) to fully cover all costs — both for the wrap installation and for removal if needed — at no expense to the Town.

Mr. O’Donnell expressed surprise and disappointment that two Board members became directly involved in the proposal and brought it to a halt without broader discussion, inviting the school’s participation, or documenting any formal action. He noted Chief Gruszka has 28 years of law enforcement experience and described the Board’s primary role as hiring, firing, discipline, policy, and budgetary oversight. He asked the Board to reconsider and allow the Chief to exercise professional judgment, or if the Board must remain involved, to take timely action before the end of the school year.

Mr. O’Donnell displayed the current design rendering, noting it had already been revised from an earlier version (which featured the Hanover Wildcat mascot) in response to feedback. The current version features the initials “HC” in the school’s colors and is more subdued than the original.

Presentation by Dr. Tracy-MacAulay

Dr. Tracy-MacAulay thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak. She praised Officer Allande for the positive relationships he has built with students at Hanover Central, noting students know him, respect him, and that he “runs a tight ship.”

She described the vehicle wrap as a meaningful connection between the Town and the school corporation — an example of the collaborative relationship she has sought since becoming Superintendent. She noted the project came up at a Cedar Lake Vision 2045 meeting the prior day, where community collaboration was identified as a priority.

Dr. Tracy-MacAulay cited Indiana Code Title 9, Motor Vehicles, Section 9-32-2, which requires that a law enforcement officer making a traffic stop must be operating a vehicle “clearly marked as a police vehicle.” She argued the wrapped vehicle clearly satisfies this requirement — the word “POLICE” remains clearly visible, and the wrap is identifiable as a Cedar Lake police car. Subsection B also provides that the requirement does not apply to officers in unmarked vehicles making arrests or issuing traffic summons.

She offered to submit all documentation regarding cost coverage in writing by the following day. She also asked that if further design revisions are requested, those be communicated to the school so the graphic arts students can incorporate the feedback as part of the learning process.

Board Discussion

Mr. Stick clarified the Board’s position: no formal decision had been made. The vehicle wrap concept was briefly mentioned approximately three months prior and the Board had not received any documentation regarding funding, design, or approvals since then. The work session was convened specifically to receive the presentation and information the Board lacked.

Mr. Stick acknowledged he consulted Town Attorney Austgen when the matter arose, noting he did so because this type of vehicle modification had not been done before. Mr. Villalobos read into the record a letter from Town Attorney Austgen dated April 27, 2026, addressed to Mr. Stick:

“Attention Mr. Stick, Board of Safety Chairman. Regarding the Hanover Central School Corp. and the Cedar Lake Police Department vehicle usage matters and relief. This communication will follow our discussion last week concerning usage of a town police department vehicle for an initiative proposed by Hanover Community School Corporation administrators. It is my understanding that there is no issue presently as dialogue is continuing between the involved entities. If there are questions or any other issues arise, please do not hesitate to contact this office.”

Mr. Villalobos noted the letter confirms there are currently no legal issues with the proposal as described.

Mr. Villalobos provided additional context for the discussion. He noted the primary concern was what would happen if Officer Allande were required to use the wrapped vehicle for general road patrol during the summer or for serious incidents where a non-standard vehicle appearance might raise questions. He also raised potential paint damage if the wrap is removed, and affirmed that by state law the Board of Safety has oversight responsibility over Town vehicles and police equipment. Mr. Villalobos also noted that Mr. O’Donnell has a vehicle belonging to the school district — suggesting that vehicle could potentially serve as an alternative platform for the wrap, as it would remain at the school without entering general road patrol.

Mr. Villalobos noted he had contacted other area law enforcement agencies: Schererville and St. John use small discreet SRO decals on quarter windows only; Crown Point, Lowell, and Merrillville do not wrap their SRO vehicles; Michigan City and Crown Point have done full wraps. He also raised the possibility of designating the Town’s black pool/backup vehicle as the wrapped SRO vehicle, which would remain at the school and not require it to enter general road patrol.

Dr. Tracy-MacAulay and Mr. O’Donnell acknowledged the concerns as reasonable and indicated a willingness to provide documentation and make further minor design adjustments if needed. Board members who spoke (Villalobos, Littles, Carnahan, Dickson) expressed general support for the concept as revised, noting the current “HC” version is significantly more appropriate than the original Wildcat design.

Discussion turned to the color striping (school colors, described as cardinal/burgundy), which Mr. Villalobos noted may appear as red in reproduction. The school representatives indicated the colors would be more distinct on the actual wrap material.

Outcome

Rather than calling a special meeting or waiting for a future regular meeting, Mr. Villalobos proposed amending the regular meeting agenda later that evening to include a formal vote on the vehicle wrap proposal. Mr. Stick confirmed the regular meeting agenda could be amended for that purpose. The school representatives thanked the Board and departed.

Adjournment

The work session concluded at 5:55 p.m. Mr. Stick called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Stick called the regular meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Public Comment

Mr. Stick called for public comment three times. No public comment was received.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the April 8, 2026 Regular Meeting and April 20, 2026 Special Public Meeting were presented for approval.

Motion to approve the April 8, 2026 regular meeting minutes and the April 20, 2026 special public meeting minutes made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Kaper.

Motion carries, 5–0.

VIPs — April 2026 Report

VIPs (Volunteers in Police Service) April 2026 report presented. Highlights:

• 4 call-outs; 8 details; 1 NIPSCO call-out
• 4 hours on calls; 26 hours on details; 5 hours training; 17 hours miscellaneous
• Total: 52 hours

A thank-you letter was received from the Hanover Schools Education Foundation expressing appreciation for the VIPs’ participation in the Penguin Plunge fundraiser. Chief Gruszka noted it was well received and the VIPs were pleased to participate.

Police Department

Presentations

Retirement Presentation — Sergeant William T. “Bill” Fisher

Chief Gruszka delivered a retirement tribute to Sergeant Fisher on behalf of the entire Police Department, the Town, and the community. Career highlights:

• United States Army, 1992–2000, honorably discharged
• Cedar Lake Civil Defense, January 1995
• Public Works, 1995–1998
• Part-time Dispatcher, 1997–1998
• Reserve Officer, 1995–1998
• Cedar Lake Police Department, May 15, 1998 — present; retiring May 29, 2026
• Sergeant, Patrol Commander; Chief of Police, January 7, 2020 – August 6, 2024
• Roles: School Resource Officer, DARE Officer, NILEA STOPS Instructor, Firearms Instructor and Armor, Canine Handler, Accident Reconstructionist, Field Training Officer, Chairman — Northwest Regional SWAT Team, District 1 Member, Founding Charter Member of Cedar Lake FOP Lodge No. 173

Chief Gruszka praised Sgt. Fisher for not just the number of years served but the quality of that service — his professionalism, care, mentorship, and lasting impact on the Department and the community.

Deputy Chief Brittingham also addressed Sgt. Fisher, noting the four years they served together as Chief and Deputy Chief represented a highlight of both their careers. He acknowledged the significant challenges of that period, including the loss of a fellow officer, and expressed deep respect for how Sgt. Fisher handled matters that few chiefs in his 25 years had faced.

Sgt. Fisher addressed the Board, expressing gratitude for 31 years with the Town (28 with the Police Department). He thanked the Board members individually, acknowledged Administrative Assistant Sarah Moore, Administrative Staff Margo Nagy and Jennifer Sandberg, and Commander Kilgore and Commander Kidd for their contributions. He encouraged officers to stay focused on serving the community. He noted that a fellow retiree — Dr. Tracy-MacAulay of Hanover Schools — was also present, remarking it was “a great year” for retirements.

A retirement plaque was presented to Sgt. Fisher by the Board and Department.

Communications

An email exchange with Cheri Shelhart of the South Lake County Sun was noted. The correspondence recognized Cedar Lake’s placement as the 4th safest city in Indiana in a recent ranking. No other communications for the month.

Staffing

Letter of Resignation — Sergeant William T. Fisher

Motion to accept the letter of resignation from Sergeant William T. Fisher, retiring effective May 29, 2026, made by Mr. Nagy; seconded by Mr. Villalobos.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Police Officer Retirement Weapon Special Benefit Compensation — Sergeant Fisher

Chief Gruszka requested Board approval for Sgt. Fisher to receive his duty weapon upon retirement — the firearm he carried throughout his career. This is a recognized benefit in public safety service.

Motion to approve the retirement weapon benefit for Sergeant William T. Fisher made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Villalobos.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Applications Update

34 applications have been received in response to the open police officer posting. The Department is reviewing applications and will begin the formal process. Chief Gruszka explained the timeline: the Department could not formally open the application process until Sgt. Fisher’s PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund) retirement was confirmed. Once that confirmation was received, the application process opened immediately. Advertisements ran for a sufficient period to attract a strong applicant pool. Mr. Kaper acknowledged the explanation and noted the timeline made sense. Chief Gruszka indicated there may be other officers currently exploring lateral opportunities at other departments; no official resignations have been received.

Finances

The Department is operating at approximately 33% of total budget, on schedule for the fiscal year. A check of approximately $1,100 was received from Law Enforcement Partners as proceeds from a magnetic calendar fundraiser; the funds were cash-receipted to the Police K9 Fund.

Grant Update

• Crown Point Community Foundation: 300 traffic cones received for EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) training, funded by grant. A thank-you letter has been sent.
• MAAC Foundation: K9 trunk vault received and installed in the K9 vehicle. Posted to social media. The K9 officer is using it extensively.
• SAFE Coalition: A grant application was completed and submitted on Monday, May 11, 2026. Awaiting notification of award.

Training Report

• New Handguns: All officers qualified with new duty handguns (without red dot optic installed). Red dot sights will be mounted and qualified with later in May. Qualification was completed on the base firearm configuration first as a best practice in case of optic malfunction.
• Leadership Training: Deputy Chief Brittingham and Training Officer Meyer completed Bulletproof Leadership training at Valparaiso University on April 8. Administrative Assistant Sarah Moore completed the Purdue Northwest Leadership Institute program on Friday, April 10, receiving a scholarship from the State Coalition covering the full cost of the program. Sergeant Kilgore and Corporal Machalk completed FBI Leadership Training (April 13–17). Special recognition to Corporal Machalk, who completed all three segments of the FBI training program.

Equipment

• Electric Patrol Vehicle: The new electric vehicle has been received and is in service. Chief Gruszka drove it to the meeting. He described it as the best-handling police car he has driven in 28 years. The vehicle’s technology (camera systems, computer screens, vehicle detection) is significantly more advanced than prior fleet vehicles. The Town is awaiting reimbursement processing before purchasing two additional patrol vehicles.
• Remaining Fleet Vehicles: Two additional patrol vehicles are pending purchase contingent on receipt of EV reimbursement.
• Vehicle Repairs: All mechanical repairs are currently being outsourced due to a Town mechanic vacancy. The Town is actively seeking applicants for a mechanic position that serves all Town departments. The Board is asked to spread the word.

Monthly Activity Report — April 2026

• Calls for service: 925
• Traffic stops: 397  •  Warnings issued: 351  •  Citations issued: 125
• Law incident reports: 497
• Arrests: 28  •  Charges filed: 43
• Code enforcement warnings: 36  •  Code enforcement citations: 24

Notice to Abate

Effective May 1, 2026, Officers and Code Enforcement personnel are authorized to issue citations for violations of tall weeds and grass ordinances. This was a previously pending enforcement mechanism that is now active for the season.

Lexipol Policy Updates

The following Lexipol policies were reviewed by the review subcommittee (Mr. Nagy and Mr. Villalobos) and are presented for Board approval. All updates are legislative in nature — none were generated internally by the Department:

• Policy 313 — Child Abuse: Mandatory notification language updated per change in Indiana Code.
• Policy 316 — Missing Persons: Changes to IC code related to at-risk veterans and at-risk military members.
• Policy 317 — Public Alerts: Updates to Green Alert provisions and Silver Alert criteria.
• Policy 407 — Crisis Intervention Incidents: Legislative update including changes related to red flag provisions, seizure of firearms, and domestic abuse incidents.
• Policy 412 — Immigration Violations: Legislative update to IC code provisions.
• Policy 507 — Traffic Crashes: Updated for the Red Dot medical information program, under which officers will search the glove box or other vehicle areas for Red Dot medical information during crash response.
• Policy 504 — Operating While Intoxicated: Legislative update related to chemical test procedures.
• Policy 1108 — Communicable Diseases: Legislative update.

Motion to approve Lexipol policy updates for Policies 313, 316, 317, 407, 412, 507, 504, and 1108 as outlined by Chief Gruszka, made by Mr. Villalobos; seconded by Mr. Nagy.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Other — Police Department

SRO Vehicle Wrap — Agenda Amendment and Presentation

Following completion of the Lexipol items, the Board addressed the SRO vehicle wrap proposal from the Work Session.

Agenda Amendment:

Ms. Littles moved to amend the regular meeting agenda to add the SRO vehicle wrap proposal for discussion and action. Discussion followed. Mr. Stick stated for the record that no decision to halt the project had been made, and that the Board had never been presented with documentation regarding the design, funding sources, or approvals. He reiterated that the Board has jurisdiction over Town vehicles by state statute. Mr. Villalobos read the April 27 Austgen letter into the record (previously read during the Work Session), reaffirming it contains no legal prohibition. Mr. Kaper noted the letter’s language appears to say there is no issue; Mr. Stick indicated his verbal conversation with Mr. Austgen conveyed a different impression. Mr. Villalobos maintained the letter, as written, is the operative document.

Motion to amend the agenda to add the SRO vehicle wrap proposal made by Mr. Villalobos; seconded by Ms. Littles.

Motion carries, 3–2.

Presentation — Mr. O’Donnell:

Mr. O’Donnell re-presented the SRO vehicle wrap proposal for the record of the regular meeting. He added that the Lake County SAFE Coalition has offered to cover 100% of the wrap cost, including a small DEA “One Pill Can Kill” slogan on the vehicle (consistent with other law enforcement vehicles in the region that participate in this program). If the SAFE Coalition is not an acceptable funding source, the PTOs have already committed to fund the project. Multiple other departments were cited as having wrapped vehicles, including Munster and Griffith.

Dr. Tracy-MacAulay also addressed the Board, reiterating the educational value of the project and her confidence that the wrapped vehicle is identifiable as a Cedar Lake police vehicle. She offered to submit written financial documentation the following day and noted the wrap might be completed before the end of the school year depending on material availability.

Mr. Stick stated for the record: no prior decision was made to halt the project; the Board had simply never received documentation sufficient to act. He asked that supporting documentation be submitted to the Board.

Motion to Accept Presentation:

Motion to accept the SRO vehicle wrap report as presented made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Villalobos.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Motion to Adopt Wrap Design:

Mr. Villalobos moved to adopt the vehicle wrap design as presented. Mr. Stick seconded. Prior to the vote, Mr. Nagy stated for the record that he has always supported Hanover Schools — having employed students for 48 years and served on school-related boards — and that his vote is not personal or vindictive; he is voting to fulfill his responsibility to the Town Council. Mr. Stick expressed the same position.

Motion to adopt the SRO vehicle wrap design as presented, to be installed on the designated SRO vehicle, fully funded by outside sources (SAFE Coalition or PTOs) at no cost to the Town, made by Mr. Villalobos; seconded by Ms. Littles.

Motion carries, 3–2.

MacArthur Elementary School

On April 17, officers participated in a celebration parade for a first-grade student who completed chemotherapy treatment. On May 8, the MacArthur Elementary School third-grade class toured the Police Department. Sergeant Godoy led the tour and received praise from Chief Gruszka for engaging the students.

Miscellaneous Vehicle Updates

The Department is continuing its out-of-state plate enforcement initiative. Criminal charges have been filed in at least one case. Follow-up visits to previously notified addresses have shown positive results — several vehicles now displaying Indiana plates. The process is ongoing as it involves misdemeanor-level charges.

E-Bike and Golf Cart Update

Deputy Chief Brittingham posted informational updates on the Department’s Facebook page regarding e-bike and golf cart regulations. The posts are included in the Board’s iPad packet. Mr. Kaper suggested including similar information in the Town’s utility bill newsletter to reach residents who may not attend meetings or follow social media.

Lake County Animal Control MOU Update

The revised Memorandum of Understanding with Lake County Animal Control regarding placement of animals remains pending. Chief Gruszka visited the Lake County facility on May 12 but was unable to meet with the appropriate contact. He expects to follow up within the next two weeks. The MOU establishes a formal written agreement for the Department’s existing practice of transporting animals for placement.

District 1 Awards Banquet

The Indiana Law Enforcement District 1 Awards Banquet will be held on May 29 at Blue Chip Casino. Chief Gruszka, Deputy Chief Brittingham, and Commander Kidd will attend. Officer Dills will be recognized with a Life Saving Award for her actions during a domestic disturbance involving a gunshot victim. Chief Gruszka stated her intervention was the difference between the victim’s survival and death.

Cops and Bobbers Event

Rescheduled from June 6, 2026 to September 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., due to scheduling conflicts.

Dunkin’ Donuts / Special Olympics — Cop on a Rooftop

Chief Gruszka and Commander Kidd will participate in the Cop on a Rooftop event at Dunkin’ Donuts on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in support of Special Olympics.

Town Attorney Letter — April 27, 2026 — Attached to Minutes

Mr. Villalobos moved that the Town Attorney’s letter dated April 27, 2026, regarding the SRO vehicle usage matter, be attached to the minutes of this meeting. No objection was raised.

Motion to attach the Town Attorney’s letter dated April 27, 2026 to the minutes of the May 13, 2026 regular meeting made by Mr. Villalobos; seconded by Ms. Littles.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Note: The Town Attorney’s letter dated April 27, 2026 is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Fire Department

Communications

A thank-you letter from the Hanover Schools Education Foundation for the Department’s participation in the Penguin Plunge is included in the Board packet.

Finances

Total purchase orders for April 2026: $5,662.43. Expenditure report is in the Board packet. With 32% of the fiscal year complete as of April 30, the Department has utilized 28% of its annual budget.

Motion to accept the Fire Department’s April 2026 report made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Villalobos.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Staffing

The written test phase of the hiring process for three open firefighter positions closed at midnight on May 13, 2026. As of 6:00 p.m. the night of the meeting, four applicants had passed. Chief Mager stated he looks forward to presenting favorable hire recommendations at the June 10 meeting.

Training Report

Training report for April 2026 is included in the Board packet. Total training hours: 544. The Department continues its joint driver operator state certification class with Lowell Fire Department. Lowell and Hebron fire engines have been present at Cedar Lake Station for this training.

Equipment

• Engine 1212 (Township Engine) — Failed Pump Test: A contractor performed pump testing on all pumping apparatus on Friday, May 8. Engine 1212 (Hanover Township’s engine assigned to Cedar Lake) failed its pump test — not critically, but a failure nonetheless. Chief Mager briefed Trustee Toth and is awaiting direction on repairs. See also public comment from Trustee Toth below.
• Ambulance 1261 (Township Ambulance) — Damage Repair: Parts are on order for repair of damage to the township ambulance.
• Ford Explorer Hybrid 1250: Unit has been at the dealer for several weeks. Issue narrowed down to a catalytic converter; awaiting parts. Return to service date unknown.
• Engine 1211: New engine placed in service April 1 is performing well.

Monthly Activity Report — April 2026

• Total incidents: 210
• EMS calls: 153
• Fire-related calls: 50
• Vehicle accidents: 7

Lift assist calls remain elevated. Chief Mager noted that APS (Adult Protective Services) recently closed its case at the primary problem address for the second time, with no other assistance available. Mr. Kaper asked whether a solution is being pursued; Chief Mager confirmed the Department is working through available channels but the situation remains unresolved.

Lexipol Policy Updates

Chief Mager reported 24 to 26 Lexipol updates have been received. He is approximately halfway through the review. Updates are primarily related to state and federal legislative changes. The Board indicated members will come to the station to review when Chief Mager is ready. Updates will be presented at the June 10 meeting.

Other — Fire Department

Mr. Kaper raised a question about mutual aid and contractual service relationships with neighboring townships. Currently the Town of Cedar Lake has a contract specifically with Hanover Township for unincorporated Hanover Township territory. Chief Mager explained the Department provides auto-aid and mutual aid (reciprocal) with Lake Dale, Lowell, St. John, Tri Creek EMS, Beecher, and Crete. No formal contract exists with Center Township or the Tri-Creek townships to the south; those communities call Cedar Lake auto-aid for structure fires only and the service is reciprocated. Chief Mager noted the Town does not charge for fire calls where there is reciprocal aid, as all surrounding departments reciprocate. Mr. Kaper suggested exploring whether Center Township or neighboring township trustees might be approached to help defray equipment costs. The Board expressed interest in further exploration.

Other

Ms. Littles expressed gratitude to both the Police and Fire Departments on behalf of her family for exceptional service during a recent personal emergency. She named the responding officers (Officer Fisher, Sergeant Kilgore, Officer Miller, Officer Dills, Officer Meyer, and Officer Lukasik) and asked that the fire paramedics be identified and recognized as well. Chief Mager confirmed it was Captain Konradi’s crew and will pass along the recognition.

Town Council Liaison Report

Mr. Carnahan had no formal report. Ms. Dickson had no report.

Public Comment

Jerry Connor — 10330 Paramount Way

Mr. Connor stated he watched the work session online and attended the regular meeting. He characterized the Board’s handling of the SRO vehicle wrap as embarrassing, noting the proposal should have been approved without controversy. He criticized the two members who voted against amending the agenda as attempting to stifle discussion. He expressed broader concerns about micromanagement of the Police and Fire chiefs, referencing comments from the school’s representatives and drawing a comparison to a prior police chief. He noted that Town Attorney Austgen’s written letter had now been read into the record twice on the matter, yet was being questioned in favor of informal verbal communications. He asked the Board to reflect on why staff turnover occurs in the departments.

Mr. Stick responded that the Board acted on no written information — no design, no funding documentation — until tonight’s meeting, and that this is not micromanagement but basic stewardship of Town assets.

Kevin Toth — 13330 Parish Avenue (Hanover Township Trustee)

Trustee Toth addressed the Board regarding Engine 1212’s recent pump test failure. He stated that Chief Mager had briefed him and they discussed the issue. His concern was that upon learning of the failure, he also learned that the engine’s pump may not have been tested annually as required by statute. He did not know the exact period during which testing lapsed but stated that having an uncertified pumping apparatus in active road service is unacceptable from both a liability and a safety standpoint. He noted the Township has always been willing to fund necessary repairs and maintenance on the engine — the resources are available — but the Township needs to be notified and involved.

Chief Mager confirmed for the record that ground ladders on all apparatus are tested annually and that certification documentation exists. Regarding the pump test, he acknowledged that three pumping apparatus were tested last Friday for the first time in some time and that the reserve engines — currently out of service — were not tested as it is not fiscally responsible to spend on apparatus that are not in active service. He indicated he is working on a formalized inspection schedule going forward.

Mr. Kaper asked whether a formal checklist or tracking system exists for annual required certifications. Chief Mager confirmed that contractors performing pump tests provide certification documentation, and he is developing a schedule to ensure all required inspections are tracked. Trustee Toth stated the Township’s position clearly: they will pay for what needs to be done, but they need to know about it.

No further public comment was received. Mr. Stick called public comment closed.

Adjournment

Mr. Stick declared the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.