News Blog
-
MANTON FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Minutes of the Community Meeting
January 14, 2025 6:00 p.m.
Location of Meeting: Manton Volunteer Fire Department
Present at Meeting: Board members: Janet Jensen, Joanne Paquin-Sproul, Chelsey Snethen, Hal Sawyer.
Attending: Judy Ramos, Tom Carrier, Suzie Carrier, Paul Crabtree, Darrell Tomlinson, Diana Tomlinson, BettyKay Pilcher, Elliott Proffitt, Tony Delgardo, Pete Kampmann, Madeline Meyer, Pati Nolen, Marion Roksvold, John Povey, Patty Povey, Stephanie Dickerson.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Janet Jensen.
Approval of Sept. 17, 2024 minutes, motioned by Joanne Sproul, 2nd by Chelsey Snethen, no objections. Janet opened meeting with good news that we have our Firewise certification and that the signs will be installed next week. Joanne had copies of the certification for anyone who wanted to submit information to their insurance.
I. Speakers: Stephanie Dickerson, Coordinator Defensible Space, Tehama County Resource Conservation District, spoke about Fuel Reduction clearance having begun on Rock Creek Rd.and Wilson Hill. RCD is working on updating the 2017 CWPP for Tehama County. She passed out handouts that had a QR code and RCDTC number for residents to add feedback/ideas to new Community Wildfire Protection Plan. *Chelsey mentioned that she had the forms for Shasta County residents ready to be filled out. Stephanie said that she is also on the committee for Park Fire Relief and there is still emergency relief available (get contact info from her). Brin Greer asked that she let community know that the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is coming up on March 29 and the Manton short video will be featured. Drew Barnhart asked Stephanie to let us know that they have completed 120 acres of mastication at the end of Manton School Rd and So. Powerhouse and that CalFire is onboard for maintenance. They are also in Phase III of clearing on Forward Rd., Manton School Rd. and So. PowerhouseRd.
II. Currently, MFSC is working on placing 2 more 5,000 gallon water tanks at Pete Kampmann’s property on Wilson Hill, Shasta County side of Manton. The details for installation are being worked out with Sinclair Pump and Electric.
III. Janet spoke about MFSC sending a letter of support to Manton Parks for their application for Emergency Hub funding.
IV. Joanne has updated the lists for Tehama and Shasta County residents who have requested help with property clearing. Community members who wish to have help should contact our FSC at 530-474-3156 or Stephanie Dickerson at
RCDTC 530-727-1280.
V. Our date for the Chili Cook-off and Fire Prevention Education fair has been changed to November 8. Joanne asked that anyone who could begin collecting auction items, please feel free to start as soon as possible, she put out the donation letter.
VI. Elliott Proffitt spoke about using the Bio-Char kiln when they are clearing brush- it burns clean energy and the charcoal made can be used in a variety of ways, especially in the garden. Community members can check it out using the QR on our FB page or website or contact Hal Sawyer or Elliott.
VII. Chelsey reminded everyone to log your work hours for Firewise. She will set up an online form and will be regular about adding the link on FB.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:04 with a motion from Hal and 2nd from Chelsey.
*Next meeting will be March 11, 2025.
-
Location of Meeting: Manton Volunteer Fire Department
Present at Meeting: Board members: Janet Jensen, Joanne Paquin-Sproul, Chelsey Snethen, Hal Sawyer.
Attending: Dan Douglas, Priscilla Tupper, Paul Crabtree, Tom Carrier, Regina Bell, Skip Polacchi, Thelma Polacchi, Bob Tipton, Drew Barnhart, Kyoung Kim, John Wilson, Robert Strawn, Gayle Ameche, Jeff Jerrigen, Madeline Meyer, BettyKay Pilcher, Ken Pilcher, Pat Dwyer, Susie Diemer, Stan Holzen, Trey Hiller.
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Janet Jensen.
Approval of Nov. 13, 2023 minutes, motioned by Pat Dwyer, 2nd by Robert Strawn, no objections.
I. Speakers: Dan Douglas, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, spoke to the group about becoming a Firewise Community. Dan has been assisting groups for 17 years and has helped certify 17 communities. Part of his job is to make sure that we do our part to make our homes fire safe. Two benefits with becoming recognized are in attaining grants and getting home owner’s insurance. Dan will be contracted by MFSC to complete and submit the forms for becoming Firewise.
II. Drew Barnhart, Project Manager, Tehama Co. Resource Conservation District,
spoke about current work being done on So. Powerhouse Rd. and Manton School Rd. as well as new ingress/egress clearing on Forward Rd which will be covered by $8500 from the Title III grant money for MFSC. He spoke about 170 acres total that are signed up for mastication work. He is applying for another PG&E grant in August for 75k.
III. Joanne gave update about Lassen Fire Safe Council grant and the work that is now scheduled for Wilson Hill Rd.
IV. Ken Pilcher gave an update on the Manton Valley Radio Communication System. He talked about how the radios were used the night before for an emergency situation. People who were interested in training signed up with him.
V. MFSC put the discussion before the community members about changing the date of the quarterly meetings so that we can include someone from our very important Manton Volunteer Fire Dept. It was unanimous that we change our meetings to the 3rd Tuesday of each Quarter. Bob Strawn made the motion and BettyKay Pilcher made the 2nd motion.
VI. We once again let the community members know that Manton Fire Safe Council has a vacancy for Secretary on our board! Being the Secretary means taking minutes at the quarterly and necessary Board meetings. Anyone who would like to contribute your time towards a valuable goal, please contact us: https://mantonfiresafecouncil.org/contact-us
VII. Treasurer’s Report:
Chelsey Snethen reported that as of 2/12/2024 our checking account has $12,500 and our savings (for water tank maintenance has $2800. VIII. Open Discussion- Trey Hiller gave a report from Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy- PG&E/Battle Creek restoration and FERC- please refer to https://www.facebook.com/battlecreekwc/with any questions.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:13 with a motion from Trey Hiller and a 2nd from
Chelsey Snethen.
*Next meeting will be April 16, 2024.
-
ItPlease come join us for our next Quarterly Community Meeting on Feb. 12, at 6:00pm. at the Manton Volunteer Fire Station. Enjoy some warm homemade Sausage Tortellini soup and bread!
And hopefully, once again our wonderful Io Bonini’s baked goods! Come to our meeting and talk to your neighbors, voice your ideas, sign up to become part of a FireWise neighborhood, pick up brochures, become involved! Hopefully our Tehama & Shasta County representatives will be there
Info on the May 18th, 2024 Mayor’s Race can be found hereem description
-
MANTON FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Minutes of the Community Meeting
November 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Location of Meeting: Manton Volunteer Fire Department
Present at Meeting: Board members: Janet Jensen, Joanne Paquin-Sproul, Chelsey Snethen, Hal Sawyer. Attending: Debbie Bell, Stephanie Dickerson, Rob McDaniel, David Sproul, Marc T., BettyKay Pilcher, Ken Pilcher, Elliott Proffitt, Trey Hiller, Wayne C. Wycoff, Heather Sharp, Rachel Branscom, Steve Branscom, Bob Cords, Paul Crabtree, Andy Smith, Monica Iognella.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Janet Jensen. Approval of August, 2023 minutes, motioned by Betty Kay Pilcher, 2nd by David Sproul, no objections.
I. Speakers: Stephanie Dickerson, Project Coordinator for Tinder Smart from Tehama Co. Resource Conservation District, spoke about residents signing up for clearing that will be funded by CalFire grant- the waiting list is currently one year, 5 months. This work will be free of charge, everyone is eligible. It includes spacing out of trees, limbing, weed eating, and shaded fuel breaks. https://www.tehamacountyrcd.org/contact-us
She also spoke about the upcoming Shaded Fuel Break work starting on Dec. 4 which will be for So. Powerhouse Rd. and Manton School Rd. The goal is to clear 20 feet on sides of both roads with mastication and limbing of trees. Hal Sawyer spoke about how he and David Sproul went door-to-door where proposed work is to be done, and that there were several absentee owners. Betty Kay Pilcher volunteered to look up realtors for people who have property for sale.
II. Janet and Joanne gave update about Lassen Fire Safe Council grant and work being done on Wilson Hill Rd. Kyle Herron from LFSC let us know that he is “currently working on flagging boundaries, flagging and GPS watercourses, and creating buffers around archeological site information. Our Shingletown/ Manton Mastication program should be running into June of this year. I do not currently have a timeline from the contractor for groundbreaking work starting in Manton. As Soon As Possible is the best answer I can give.” Joanne shared the map of the work projected to be done this year.
III. Janet reported that the Title III grant through Tehama County is $19,500 which is to be split between Manton and Lake California, the 2 Fire Safe Councils that are working with RCDTC.
IV. Ken Pilcher gave an update on the Manton Valley Radio Communication System. He talked about how the radios can be helpful for work parties, reporting suspicious activities, emergency issues, fire, or evacuation. He and Rob are developing emergency scripts to be used. MFSC voted to buy more radios and to hold the training at the fire station when Ken & Rob are ready.
V. Hal gave an update on working towards becoming a Firewise community and working with Shasta County Fire Safe Council as they have been working with smaller councils. https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/ firewise-usa We are waiting to hear from Dan Douglas, Lassen Fire Safe Council, on our next steps.
VI. We let the community members know that Manton Fire Safe Council has a vacancy on our board! Being the Secretary means taking minutes at the quarterly meetings, and necessary Board meetings. Anyone who would like to contribute your time towards a valuable goal, please contact us: https://mantonfiresafecouncil.org/contact-us
VII. Treasurer’s Report: Chelsey Snethen reported that our expenses for the month were $838.00 and our balance as of 11/10/2023 was $13,813.80.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 with a motion from Betty Kay Pilcher and a 2nd from Chelsey Snethen. Next meeting will be February 12, 2024.