By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Bronson Fire Chief Dennis Russell’s request two weeks ago to be reimbursed for $10,400 in back pay evaporated at Monday’s Bronson Town Council meeting.       

            Russell withdrew his request for the money after learning from town officials that his $700 monthly salary plus the pay he receives for responding to calls were all he could earn as a volunteer fire chief under state law.

            Town Manager Susan Beaudet said a state rule limits a volunteer firefighter’s pay to 20 percent of what a paid firefighter earns. Russell’s current salary and per call pay equal the 20 percent maximum.

            Russell had told council members at the earlier council meeting this month that former Mayor Bruce Greenlee took away the stipend he earned every month for working a 12-hour shift. The stipend had grown from $30 per shift to $50 per shift. Russell wanted to be reimbursed for the stipend that was taken from him.

            The town researched the issue and found that he wasn’t entitled to the stipend because he already earns a monthly salary and is paid for each call he responds to as a firefighter. Getting the stipend money as well would put him over the 20 percent.

            Fire Chief Getting Contract

            On a separate subject, Russell was approved for a written contract that will spell out his duties. He has never worked under a written contract in the past. The council approved a contract that gives Russell the salary and per call pay he earns now.

            Beaudet also wanted Town Attorney Steven Warm to work under a contract. Warm was approved for a contract at the meeting. He will make the same amount of money he has always earned as the town’s legal counsel.

            As the town manager, Beaudet is trying to tighten up the loose ends in how the town operates. She works under a contract, and now Russell and Warm also have contracts.

            Fire House Well Approved

            In the final matter regarding Russell, the council gave Russell approval to drill a 12-inch water well at the site of the city’s new firehouse off U.S. 27A on the north end of town.

            The town will use a $1.8 million state appropriation from the Florida Legislature to pay for drilling the well and connecting it to the new firehouse to supply water for a powerful fire suppression sprinkler system.

            The estimated cost of drilling the well and connecting it electrically to the firehouse is $260,000. The well will be attached to a 50 to 60 horsepower motor. It will be large enough to provide adequate water pressure for the fire suppression system required by the building code.

            Russell said the city’s current water distribution system can supply drinking water to the firehouse but it can’t provide enough water pressure to meet the requirements of the fire suppression sprinkler system.        

            Beaudet said she met with Russell, Assistant Chief Gail Foote, and other firefighters to decide how to pay for the new well. Ultimately, they decided to postpone building a helipad and a training facility at the firehouse and use the money instead to drill the well and get the firehouse open as soon as possible.

             Beaudet said the consensus of all involved was it was more important to open the firehouse as soon as possible rather than wait for an alternative funding source that might take additional time. The best way to get it open was to use the state appropriation money to pay for the well.

            The well probably won’t be drilled until April.

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Town of Bronson Regular Meeting March 21, 2022; Posted March 21, 2022