Interim Wayland City Fire Chief Jon Timmers told the City Council that though the number of calls are up and Chief Jim Stoddard is recovering from a heart attack, the department is still well equipped to take of business.
Timmers appeared at Monday night’s meeting to thank the community and city officials for their support for the chief and said, “We want everyone to know there are no gaps in coverage and service.
Of Chief Stoddard, he said, “He’s doing remarkably well.”
Stoddard suffered a heart attack while driving to attend a wedding last month and he has remained in Butterworth Hospital.
It was announced that the number of police, fire and ambulance calls have been very high this year. Police Chief Scott Matice said the department handled 2,961 calls in all of 2023 and already has fielded 1,162 in just the first quarter of 2024, a 62 percent increase.
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Kramer said it’s a good thing Wayland Area Emergency Services now has three new vehicles in the last year because the calls have increased significantly.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:
- Agreed to pay P &L Painting of Howell $250,100 for the repairing project for the water tower. It wasn’t the lowest bid, but the lowest came from a firm that received less than satisfactory reviews for its work.
- Approved the City of Hastings’ withdrawal from the Grand Valley Metro Council.
