The Central Mat-Su Fire Department held its annual awards ceremony on March 31, at the new Station 51 off the Parks Highway. The awards are for responders who go above and beyond their duties as paid, on call personnel, and for individuals who contribute to the success of the department. Central is the second largest fire department in Alaska.

Chief James Steele also recognized the most important individuals, the responder’s spouses and children who lend their mom or dad to the community to respond to emergencies at all hours. Without this sacrifice the system currently in place would fail.

Those recognized include:

Fire Department Auxiliary – (Picture) – Lee Hutchens-Kerr, Carol Kula, Cathy Garrick Karen Alden, Jim & Jo Eakin, Sherry Dimick, Sheryl Wagner, Stephanie Udy, Theresa Elliott, Taunnie Boothby, Mary Newcomb, Sam Coberly. 
Responder of the Year – Jessica Stewart (pictured with Chief & Mayor)

Mahlon Greene & Ken Barkely were recognized for their contributions over the last 20 plus years to the CMSFD. Mahlon recently took the Fire Chief Job in Caswell, and Ken move to the Assistant Fire Director for the Borough.

There was a Flag Presentation from Major Ernest M. Ibanga, 2D Engineer Brigade Chaplin of the United States Army, Fort Richardson. The flag was flown in Afghanistan and dedicated to the Central Mat-Su Emergency responders.

Approximately 125 folks attended, including Borough Assembly Members Dan Mayfield, Jim Sykes, and Mayor DeVilbiss.

Most Valuable Explorer – Jimmy Keene
Most improved Firefighter – Katrina Knowlton
Most Valuable Firefighter – Chris Hanson
Most Valuable Engineer – Don Thomson
Most Valuable Lieutenant – Norm Wagner
Most Valuable Captain – Adam Schou

Photos by Battalion Chief Jon Burns.

Mat-Su Borough services normally open on weekends will remain open as usual.

Erin Leaders, MSB PIO

In April, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Central landfill will close during the week to allow for replacement of 25-year-old residential scales. Some 25,000 residential trips to the landfill are made per month. Staff is avoiding closures on the busy weekends by making the two closures occur from Monday through Thursday.

CLOSURE DATES

The residential scales will be closed from April 6 through April 9 and again from April 13 through April 16.
If closures are extended, the landfill will open with modified traffic patterns.

If you are intent on cleaning up the yard or house and want to discard of your property during the construction period, there are alternate locations such as the Butte or Big Lake Transfer Stations. The Butte Transfer Station is located on an access road to Butte Elementary School, approximately 7.5 miles south of Palmer and 12 miles southeast of the Central Landfill. The Big Lake Transfer Site is located at 13507 Hollywood Road

Here is a link on the Borough website to maps of the transfer sites

http://www.matsugov.us/facilities?cck=facility&facility_type=Transfer+Site&boxchecked=0&search=facilities_list&task=search

For private construction and demolition debris disposal, the operators Alaska Demolition, are located at 550 Rebarchek Ave, Palmer and can be reached at 907-745-6002.