Callahan Station 5 volunteers recently received new life saving equipment and gear to assist emergency response efforts.
The Callahan Town Council welcomed the extricating tool also known as the “Jaws of Life,” Monday night. Frank Bondra, Holmatro Rescue Equipment’s southeastern regional manager was on hand for a demonstration that occurred in the fire station’s bay.
The equipment and four sets of forestry gear were purchased via a 50-50 grant through the Florida Forest Service.
The cost for all items is approximately $19,625. The town paid half the cost. The town’s former extrication tool was about 20 years old and was ineffective in cutting through vehicles.
Fire Commissioner Ken Bass expressed his support for the unpaid firefighters.
“I’m very proud of these volunteers,” he said. “They do a great job. They’re a great bunch of guys.”
Earlier that night, Callahan contractor Ken Greene sought to resolve an ownership issue for a retention pond, a lift station and a 4-acre plat associated with Branch Creek subdivision. Greene was the contractor on the subdivision project.
Several years ago the deed was recorded into public record, but the town council did not vote to take ownership of maintaining the aspects of the subdivision’s infrastructure. Greene sought the return of the deed so that he can then turn the acreage’s ownership over to his son, he said.
Town Attorney Jeb Branham suggested that property be replatted. Since the town council does not have any ownership of Brandy Branch, the council did not have anything to deed back to Greene.
The retention pond is already the responsibility of the homeowners association. The 4 acres should also go to the HOA as well, according to Branham.
Meanwhile, conveyance of the lift station would be possible through a resolution. The attorney said that he may be able to find Branch Creek’s conveyance all in one document showing that the town council did not vote to accept the acreage, pond and lift station. He will get back in touch with Greene accordingly.
Before the meeting’s close, Councilman Marty Fontes suggested updates to the town’s alcohol ordinance concerning how distances are determined, whether door-to-door or by property lines.
Alcoholic beverages may not be sold within 500 feet of any established schools, churches, day care centers or publicly owned parks, according to the town’s code. The question about distance came up when a representative of Safe Way Discount Beverage sought a variance, which the town council denied because the store is located 477 feet from Crossroads Family Worship Center. Branham said the town council had already made the decision of how to determine distances in 2008. Councilwoman Kathy Smith suggested that nothing be changed.
During Monday’s discussion, Branham said, “We’ve had this for (nine) years. We’ve only had one problem.”
He added later, “What we don’t want to do is solve a problem and make a problem for someone else.”
Within the ordinance, distances between establishments are based on normal pedestrian travel because it was easier to measure than using a circumference of distance, according to Branham.
Town Manager Mike Williams and Branham will review the ordinance.
“We’ll have them look into it and see what we’ve got,” Bass said.
A brief discussion ensued when Councilwoman Janet Shaw said that she has noticed several abandoned vehicles parked within the town’s limits, which is not allowed.
“I’ve been seeing lots of them,” she said. “I’ll get with Mr. (Gary) Garver. There’s lots of them going on.”
Garver, who serves as Callahan’s code enforcement officer, will also review several ordinances within the town’s code to determine if any are in need of language updates or clarifications, town officials said.