SJ Fire District #3 May 19,2026

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Fire District #3 Commissioners Meeting May 19, 2026

Chiefs Kuetzing and Hartzell congratulated and swore in five of six new recruits known as the “solid six” starting off the Commissioners Meeting:  Emilio Santiago, Dominick Tarantelli, Stewart Bell, Max Mattox, and Madison Miller.  John de La Haye was absent.  The recruits completed 4 ½ months of training.

The Burn Permit Program is still at an impasse.  Chief Monin wrote to the Fire Marshall and the San Juan County Community Development Dept.  He told them that the County owes the Fire District $29,000+.  The Commissioners discussed next steps, including inviting Agency leads and the Fire Chief to a working meeting to resolve the problem.  Meanwhile, the Fire Department will continue to investigate complaints when dispatched.

A design concept for Stuart Island West Station 3741 was presented and accepted by Stuart Islanders at a special meeting coordinated by Bruce Becker of Stuart Island.  After some discussion, a vote for the design received 77% approval.   Commissioners approved presenting the design to the School Board as early as next week.

Camp Nor’wester on Johns Island will be leasing a garage to the Fire District for their equipment.  Much like the agreement with Stuart Island East, the Camp will provide labor and material to improve the building.  In the long term, this will help build a Brigade and improve insurance rates for the island.

Two five-month seasonal positions are filled, with a prospective start on June 1st.  Both are trained in Wildfire Management.  

*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its membership