Firewise Meeting November 12, 2025
LCMC Board Room
Meeting was called to order by President Alec Pennington at 10:00 a.m.
Present were board members: Alec Pennington, Gary Nelson, Paul Bogacz and Vicki Knox.
Ray Menard attended in person; no attendees via Zoom.
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Review of Previous Minutes
Minutes from the October 8, 2025, meeting were reviewed.
Edits to the minutes – remove Kathy Stafford remark. Terminology = Treasurer’s report should be the Financial Report. The treasurer’s report … upon approval, moved to approve the treasurer’s Financial Report. Sept $15,873.38. Ideas floated of ¼-inch screen should be changed to ⅛-inch screen. Usually add next regular meeting date is noted.
Gary moved to accept and approve the minutes as edited. Alec seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
The Financial Report was published prior to the meeting. There was only one expense for reflective tape. Gary will review to decide if we need to order a larger quantity more often. Gary will call regarding interest on our savings account at OURCU.
Paul moved to approve the Financial Report, Alec seconded and the report was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Assessments and Address Markers – Alec used up most of one roll of the two recently purchased rolls of reflective tape. Nine markers were installed at Colony Surf. We expect to have more marker requests from Colony Surf. There are 7 requests for installations pending. We still have about 30 markers in storage.
There are 4 assessments pending.
Alec received comments from Colony Surf from people who are really happy with the installations.
Burn Ban Banners Update – The Banners are ready for pickup. Total expense is $314.94. Alec has a place to store them in the shed ready. A brief discussion occurred regarding reminder additions to the banners. Like a Velcro removable message stating “this coming Saturday”.
Procedures Outline Project Status – Naming protocol. Need to settle on a format. Year first, then month and day. Title of Document.
Volunteer Recruitment Activities – Paul sent out a recruitment post on social media. Already has a qualified volunteer (Uriel) that replied to the post. Paul requested a Firewise official Certification. We could get that certification to community members requesting discounts from their insurance providers.
NEW BUSINESS
DNR Cost Sharing Pilot Program:
Alec met with DNR regarding their cost-sharing program, and pilot project. He found out last week that we are no longer eligible for the program. All our trees are over 5 inches, which makes them commercially viable and this program offers cost shares only for pre-commercial stands. DNR & MCD will provide consulting to assist LCMC in finding and hiring contractors experienced in the type of work required. Commercial thinning requires coordination with LCC as revenues flow to them and not LCMC.
Firewise Clothing:
Gary updated the information on the creation of more shirts, jackets, hats, etc. He provided costs and options. He also brought in a bright, light vest to also add logo and backside printing. We will bring some ideas back to the next meeting.
Fall LCMC Newsletter Firewise page looked great.
$4,000 Annual Grant:
The DNR Grant for up to $4,000 usually announced in February, with approval in March, must be completed in June along with documentation. Any Firewise function can be used. Possibilities discussed:
- Last year the group did a plant giveaway.
- Colony Surf is creating a booklet with Firewise information, living in the woods information, emergency management information, etc. Alec thought we could do something similar with an emphasis on Lake Cushman, or do it in conjunction with Colony Surf.
- Discussion of additional overlay banners like the Burn Ban banners but for announcements such as Firewise and Disaster Preparedness Days and the LCMC Annual meeting.
- Plant give-away with posted information about Homes with Firewise plants, Homes with undesirable plants as examples.
- Sign plaques for good example homes – Firewise approved.
- Alec has a Firewise Goal document, from a prior board member, he will try to re-locate.
- Develop a competition for the Best Firewise houses with a scoring rubric.
- Make it fun.
Paul brought the idea of static-cling window signs that indicate animals are in the house for the Fire Department to identify. Discussion of adding children or people with limited mobility. Ray will talk to the Fire Department about their needs. We could ask Block Watch to provide them to the community. Simple google searches provided options.
Ray advised that there is going to be a discussion at the BOD about an ad hoc emergency team, so Ray wanted to make certain that someone from Firewise and from Cert and from BlockWatch can participate. Alec advised the Mason County Ham Club might be a good addition.
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The next Firewise meeting will be on December 10th, 2025.
Gary moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:42 am, and Paul seconded. The motion passed unanimously.