Fairview Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doug Williams, center, speaks to the Fairview Town Council Monday evening. / Nick Griffin
FAIRVIEW – The Fairview Town Council held its monthly meeting this week, and the bulk of the night was spent with Fairview Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doug Williams. Williams met with the council to address concerns that some in the town have about the department’s finances.
In an effort to give council members context on how the VFD handles its finances, Williams shared the history of the department and how he came to be the chief. Williams assured the council, “The Fairview Fire Department’s financial system is not and will not be corrupted in any way.”
The council had previously called for an audit of the VFD’s finances, but accepted Williams’ suggestion that the council review an audit that was conducted by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office a few years ago. Williams also provided the council copies of the department’s financial report from last year and went through it thoroughly to answer any questions or clear up any confusion.
Williams invited council members to the VFD’s monthly meeting, where he said all financial matters are discussed openly with the public, and agreed to send the council the department’s financial report each month.
After hearing from Williams and discussing several questions at length, the council decided to wait until it’s had a chance to review the CCSO audit before it makes a decision on any future financial support of the VFD.
Before leaving, Williams also shared his dissatisfaction with the ambulance system, or what he declared a lack thereof, in Fairview. “It’s ridiculous that people here in town have to wait 30 to 45 minutes for an ambulance to get here from downtown Cullman,” he said.
In other business, the council discussed the 2018 budget, agreeing that the it has to be adopted by the council’s next meeting in November.
The Fairview Town Council and Fairview Volunteer Fire Department each meet on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend both.
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