First elected board takes office at Anderson Fire Protection District

Photo by Michael Woodward

NEW FIRE BOARD — Elected members of the board of the Anderson Fire Protection District take their seats on Dec. 4. From right are Mike Hubert, Jeff Hogue, Don Matheson, Paul Bosetti and Marsha Kelley.

Photo by Michael Woodward

BY THE NUMBERS — Marsha Kelley holds up a four of spades, indicating that she will serve a four-year term on the board of the Anderson Fire Protection district. Each newly elected board member drew a lot, in this case a playing card, to determine whether they will serve a four- or two-year term. From left are Marsha Kelley, Paul Bosetti, Don Matheson, Jeff Hogue and Mike Hubert.

Photo by Michael Woodward

CELEBRATING THE NEW BOARD: An audience of over 20 people at the Anderson Fire Protection District meeting Dec. 4 enjoyed coffee and cake after witnessing the new district board take office.

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the board meeting was held on Tuesday night

The newly-elected board members of the Anderson Fire Protection District traded seats with the outgoing board at a brief district meeting Friday, Dec. 4. The new board steps in as the district's first elected board since the district's inception in 1889.

About 25 people attended the meeting, and many stayed afterward to enjoy coffee and a brightly-colored cake with the fire district's emblem iced on it.

Before the new board members took their seats, however, AFPD Fire Chief Andy Nichols thanked the outgoing board for their dedication to the district and its staff. Nichols added that the board was instrumental in getting the district through “recent troubles,” indicating the district's investigation of ex-fire chief Joe Piccinini, who resigned July 1, 2009.

As well, each of the outgoing board members, Norma Comnick, Keith Webster and Butch Schaeffer all commented vaguely on the difficulties presented the district leading up to and including the investigation. The district board members remained otherwise mum over the details of the district investigation of Piccinini.

“(It was a) very difficult time in the fire district,” then-chairman Webster said Friday. “I'd like to thank all staff for their dedication to the community for working through the difficult time we had.”

Nichols congratulated all board members for their years of service with honorary plaques.

Paul Bosetti, still active, served 24 years, Schaefer served 15 years, Comnick served 11 years, Marsha Kelley, still active, served seven years, and Webster served five years.

The new board drew playing cards as lots to determine term lengths and voted for officers. Chief Nichols placed three fours and two twos face down on a table. After each board member picked a card, they held up their cards to be counted.

Chairwoman of the Board Marsha Kelley, Vice Chairman of the Board Don Matheson and board member Mike Hubert will each serve four-year terms. Secretary of the Board Paul Bosetti and board member Jeff Hogue will serve two years.

The fire district's subsequent regular board meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m., Dec. 8.