News

Baldwin in talks for full-time fire coverage

By Lynsie Breaux

While the town of Baldwin has changed administrations, some issues still have their irons in the fire.

One of the main issues thrust into former Mayor Godbold's lap was the need to upgrade the town's fire protection. However, he had put the cost of hiring a full-time fire department at more than $1 million up front and nearly $500,000 annually in upkeep. And while he had privately expressed a desire to replace the town's volunteer department he found the cost to be prohibitive.

Newly elected mayor Stan Totman also wants to see a professional fire department for the town but thinks he has found a way to do so at a much more economical rate.

While exact prices haven't yet been finalized, Totman is working closely with the city of Jacksonville to expand Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) coverage to the town of Baldwin.

"We are on the brink of having the first full-time professional fire department in Baldwin," Totman announced during Tuesday's town council meeting.

The mayor reported on his meetings with Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and Assistant Fire Chief Robert White. He is trying to get two full-time first responders stationed in Baldwin.

One issue hurting the town of Baldwin is that they missed the round of JFRD expansion following the passage of the Better Jacksonville Plan. According to several people familiar with the JFRD had Baldwin requested a fire station several years ago, it would have been built at next to no cost to the city.

However, because no request was made and the town of Baldwin neglected to enter into any sort of interlocal agreement with Jacksonville, stations were built in Maxville and Whitehouse while Baldwin continued to be served by volunteers.

In other business, attorney Jeb Branham updated the council on the status of a lawsuit filed by former chief of police Harvey Branch related to the former police force in the town.

According to Branham, Branch's case was dismissed with prejudice which the lawyer explained as meaning the case is over. Though Branch's attorney has filed an intent to appeal, Branham stated this was somewhat of a formality.

Branham continued by explaining that there is a huge difference between filing the intent and actually going through the whole process of appealing a decision.

Councilwoman Libby Willis received permission to proceed with plans for the Fourth of July festivities.

She stated the town has roughly 20 citizens that are more than 90 years old. And this year's theme will be "the early 1900s." And during the parade the town's citizens who are older than 90 will be honored and most will ride in the parade in a horse-drawn carriage.

"One of them has said that he intends to walk the parade," Willis said.

The town decided to extend an offer of employment for a new part-time clerk to work in town hall. All town employees will be asked to write a detailed job description of exactly what work they perform. The council believes that doing so will allow for increased efficiency.

"I don't like giving out across the board raises," Councilwoman Johnson said. "I'd rather give raises for people who do their job well."

With the job descriptions, the council will be able to better rate employees.

In closing business the council received an update on plans to update the town's website and provide an easier way to get information to the citizens.

While Affiliated Artist Group is still working on plans for the site, the town is planning on purchasing a new domain name to make finding the town's official site much easier.

Currently, the town's web address is so long that many council members stated they have trouble remembering it. A search on Google for "Baldwin Florida" came up with more than 300,000 hits. However, none of the first 50 hits were the town's official site.