Sturgis Township lauds fire chief for keeping costs down

STURGIS — Sturgis Township Board on Tuesday credited the township fire chief for working to save money in a time when overall prices continue to rise.

Supervisor George Morse said Tri-Township Fire Department now has new helmets, some new boots and all new turnout coats, part of a state requirement to replace equipment every 10 years, regardless of use or condition.

One of the bigger costs, however, was the replacement of fire hose that had failed annual state testing.

Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration had condemned 1,400 feet of hose at the fire department that serves Sturgis Township. Tri-Township Fire Department fire chief Max Kulpinski joined with a Cass County fire department to combine a fire hose order to save money. The end-cost was approximately $8,000, about $1,000 less than what the Tri-Township Fire Department was quoted.

When the township recently received notice they had to replace 1,000 feet of water supply hose and 400 feet of fire attack line hose, the initial quote was $7,200. Three weeks later, when Kulpinski called to place the order, the price had jumped to more than $8,000.

Combined with shipping, the final price was approximately $2,000 lower than the original quote, township officials said.

Morse credited Kulpinski for his work to find the required hose replacement at the best price available.

The board was also updated on one of the township road projects. Fawn River Road from Balk to Shimmel roads has been paved, the cost of which was covered by St. Joseph County.

Zoning administrator Mike Haydon filed a report with the board he is working on having violations resolved on a number of properties, including on Bogen Road and U.S. 12.

Parker's Home Improvement installed rain gutter guards at the township office and repaired facia damage to the building's west side due to a recent storm. Township officials reported the total cost was $2,025.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis Township lauds fire chief for keeping costs down