Bennett Valley Voice

BENNETT VALLEY VOICE VOLUME 5 Number 2

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

April, 1982

Memo From The Board

Board Of Directors

1981-82 We've had a good response in new and renewed memberships for 1982. We welcome each of you President Tamara Boultbee and invite your participation. As a reminder, Vice-President Nancy Batson the board of directors meets monthly on the Secretary/Treasurer Barbara Maberry 3rd Wednesday of the month at the fire station at 7:30 p.m. Members are invited to attend Ted Chamberlain Max Moberly any and all meetings.

Bill Jacobs Paul Mowbray Pressley Road & Sonoma Mountain Road InterSam Mitchell Warren Watkins section: We forwarded the response to our sur.... vey regarding your preferences for intersection (2)Fire District Boundary Changes:- this conimprovement to the Road Dept. as well as Supercerns the withdrawal of approximately the lower visor Bob Adams.

The overwhelming choice was half of Pressley Road (and 3 parcels on PetaSketch B--the alignment where Sonoma Mountain luma Hill Road) from the Bennett Valley Fire Road is a through road and Pressley T's into it. Protection District for inclusion in the Penn(This was the plan supported by the BHA Board) grove Fire Protection District. Your board of The Road Department plans to do the required directors sent a letter asking for denial of paper work this year with realignment work to this request because the change did not appear begin in 1983. Your input was invaluable and to improve the quality of fire protection we appreciate your taking time to respond.

already afforded the residents on Pressley but In the same vein, we were asked to check it would have a significant adverse impact on on what improvements were being planned for the the quality of fire protection afforded all Bennett Valley Road area on either side of Bennett Valley residents due to the loss of Matanzas Creek Bridge. According to the Road current and even greater future revenue. We Dept., they plan to widen the bridge and adjust feel it is extremely important that BHA member the curves on either end of the bridge. However contact the county supervisors either by letter since plans are in the earliest stage, little or phone, and advise them of your concerns.

information is available. We were promised plans Address: Supervisor _ County of Sonoma as soon as they are formulated. 575 Administration Drive Two items of concern have been acted upon Santa Rosa, Ca. 95401 by the Board in recent months: Telephone: 527-2241 (1) 7129 Bennett Valley Road--This is a pro*********************** posal to split the old Foppiano property into Although this newsletter was ready for the 3 parcels. (It abuts the western boundary of printers, we rearranged it to include an articli Bennett Ridge)Board members have visited the about the fire district boundary situation so site several times and met with the surveyor and that particulars would be available in this engineer working on the project. Of particular important matter.

concern to the Board is the stability of the ********$***************: very steep, open slope and the potentially

Fire District Faces Loss

serious and detrimental effects that a wide, deep road cut (west-east) across its entirety could have on the slope's stability. A new Negative Declaration will be issued shortly with a hearing scheduled before PRAC (Project Review and Advisory Committee) approximately 15 days after posting/publishing the notice.

LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Cormission) OK's transfer of of Pressley Road and a portion of Petaluma Hill Road from Bennett Valley Fire Pro tection District to Penngrove Fire Protéction District. Board of Supervisors to make final decision . . . ...

Fire District Loss Con'T.

-24-H Con't. Background Information: Pressley Road resiresiding in Cloverdale. Charter members still dents George and Clifford Orr filed a request with in the area include Patty Walker, Ralph and LAFCO to change the boundaries of the fire disBuddy Dexter, Barry Ableman, Vivian Mazzeta, trietsof Penngrove and Bennett Valley whereby the and Bill Pisenti, Jr.

area on Pressley Road from Orr Ranch Road south, The 4-H motto is "To make the best better". as well as 3 ranches on Petaluma Hill Road, would Educational objectives are to assist youth be removed from the Bennett Valley Fire District from ages 9 to 19 in developing initiative, and included in the Penngrove Fire District.

The responsibility, leadership, service, and coopreorganisation encompasses 840 acres with the eration. Additionally, achievement of knowarea of most development on Pressley Road. Ledge and skills, personal satisfaction, and The report from Administrative Assistant, career alternatives are explored. James Moore, brought out the mileage difBennett Valley itself now has three 4-H ferential, time differential, manning differential groups, namely Bennett Valley, Rainbow Valley, and tax base differential. Penngrove's suband Clover. Apparently, the rural nature of station on Lichau Road which is not manned full our area has generated much interest here, and time is 1 mile closer to a central spot than a waiting list to join the groups is common.

Bennett Valley's main station, but is only 30 sec. Each member may select several projects ranging closer due to the severe grade Penngrove must from animal raising and showing to gourmet negotiate. Penngrove's main station is 9 min. cooking, fishing, leadership, arts & crafts, away and Bennett Valley's is 5 min. via rescue cake decorating, electricity, child care, truck.

The report also points out that because camping, and cultural arts. These project of Bennett Valley's small size, the change would alternatives are supervised and guided by have a significant negative impact on its fire adults with the young 4-H members doing most of protection program. Bennett Valley's tax base the work and record keeping.

loss would be twice as large as the gain derived Besides their project work, 4-Hers are by Penngrove. Due to Penngrove's larger size, involved in community service activities such the increase would be relatively insignificant. as caroling, decorating, and making favors at The report determined there was no clear advanChristmas for local rest homes. Some groups tage to most homeowners and recommended against recycle cans and other resources, provide the change. A recommendation was included to Easter baskets and enter floats in the Rose consider the Petaluma Hill Road residents sepParade.

Junior leaders and officers have arately. traveled to the state legislature in Sacramento. In the LAFCO meeting on April 1, 1982, the All groups need money to support themCommission voted to allow the district boundary selves or worthy causes and fund-raisers are change. The vote was 3 in favor (Boyett, Domenheld annually. Most of us have attended a icelli, Hopkins), 1 opposed (Supervisor Ernie Dime-a-Dip feed, bake sale, or car wash. First Carpenter), and 1 abstain (Supervisor Bob Adams).

aid kits and snow cones will be on sale this LAFCO's recommendation comes before the year. The main event each year is the very Board of Supervisors for a final decision soon. well attended Chicken-Que at the fairgrounds. (No date is set as of 4/14/82 as the agenda is But all 4-H functions are not totally posted each Thursday afternoon for the following dedicated to projects, work, and service. Fun Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting) activities such as roller skating parties, Bennett Valley residents have a lot at stake.

picnics and snow trips occur periodically. If you are concerned about the implications of If you are interested in helping with the the lost property tax base on the future quality 4-H program or would like your children to join of fire protection in Bennett Valley, the fire a group, feel free to contact a group leader department feels it is imperative you communicate or Harriet Polansky, the county 4-H youth adthese concerns to each of the county supervisors!

visor. Leader telephone numbers and meeting (See Memo. Board for address and telephone no.) dates and times are given below. Harriet Polansky, Farm Advisor's office-527-2681

Bennett Valley'S 4-H

Bennett Valley group: Ken Carr-544-3418 or Evelyn Gibson-546-0855. Meetings: monthly, The 4-H movement was begun in the United States in 1907 as a part of the school proReflective of the times, corn and canning became the first projects. The movement soon expanded into cotton, poultry, and pigs.

Today, a 4-H group may have in excess of 20 offerings. The first Bennett Valley 4-H was organized in 1945 by Mr. & Mrs. Orville Burnside, now 2nd Thursday, Grange Hall; 7 p.m. (50 members) Rainbow Valley group: Joclyn Thompson-542-6289 or Maureen Drisko-544-7113. Meetings: monthly 1st Monday, Yulupa School, 7:30 p.m. (45 mem.) Clover group: Val Hurley-584-9243. Meetings: monthly, 2nd Tuesday, Grange Hall or Yulupa School, 7 p.m. (60 members) -Warren Watkins-

Firsts In Fire Protection

-3With all the rain we're having this year (my gauge has already recorded over 50 inches since July and it's raining as I type), it may seem inappropriate to think about fire or fire protection. The old-timers will tell you, hovever, that the potential for grass fires will be high this year.

The prolonged and abundant rain, intermixed with bursts of sunshine, means lots of tall dry grass in late spring and summer. Long-time valley residents remember when we didn't have any area fire protection. In fact, the first meeting to discuss local fire protection in Bennett Valley wasn't held until June 10, 1948 at the Grange (where else?). The meeting was chaired by valley cattleman Bill Pisenti and attended by many other familiar names. Among those active in the early fire planning included such personalities as Ernie and Phillip Guenza, Bill Carithers, Dwight Batesole, Bill Jacobs, Sam Mitchell, and George Crane. In reading over the well written minutes of the early one an over meetings, taken by W. H. Armstrong, family names frequently appearing were Beck, Molinari, Babcock, Mow, Dexter, Walker, Beach, Dedekam, Cundiff, and Bottasso. Many of these people or their offspring are still living in the valley.

Well, the talk about fire protection got serious at the second meeting on June 16, 1948 when a secret ballot was taken of the 45 individuals attending to determine how much money could be initially raised. When $1,435 was pledged, the fire district was born.

The group took little time in selecting Bill Jacobs as its first chief along with three assistants, a secretary, treasurer, and five commissioners. One of the original assistant chiefs, Al La Franconi, remains active today! Further meetings led to the purchase of the first fire truck, a used one ton 1942 International 4WD. The truck had a 200 gallon water tank and cost just $1,700 (today, it costs $80,000 for an 1800 gallon pumper).

The license plate of this original truck is on display in the chief's office at the firehouse, and the original pump is still being used. Continuing to move quickly in June, 1948 our first firemen held the first training session for volunteers. It was attended by 25 eager residents. Following the training that day, beer and sandwiches were served, a practice which is still observed, I am told.

As start-up expenses mounted, new sources of revenue were sought. The county agreed to contribute $60/month to the district if Bennett Valley firemen would be on call during the dry summer to help out elsewhere in the county if needed. The Bennett Valley 4-H also made a cash contribution. Additionally, Mel Potterman donated 10 gallons of gas for the fire truck, although there was some question whether the old ranch bridges could support the weight of a truck filled with gas, water, and fire tools.

The Powell ranch, near Farmer's Lane and Bennett Valley Road had the dubious honor of having the first fire in August, 1948. Quick response by the new firemen resulted in only a few scorched grape vines. Other "firsts" include the first fire telephone at the Grange installed in November, 1948, and the first Fireman's Ball (complete with door prizes) on January 22, 1949. The first firehouse was built in March, 1949 in the middle of the valley on the Steele property along Sonoma Mountain Road. The site was made available under a long term "verbal" lease and is still used by the fire district for storage. Volunteers erected the metal building with $574.56 worth of MeadClark materials.

Not unlike today's tax climate, the first attempt to assess valley residents for fire protection was vigorously opposed. Jumping to more recent times, we became a bonafide fire district in 1964 when Fire Chief Ruhlman was appointed. Volunteers continued for another year or so when the chief was hired.

At that time, a $100,000 bond issue was passed to secure the present one acre site (purchased from assistant chief La Franconi for $1,000), build the firehouse, and buy more fire equipment. Today, the fire district employs a full time fire chief, an additional fireman during the summer, and "sleeper" students on weekends and nights.

There are 30 volunteers on call also. Over half of the approximately 100 calls responded to yearly involve matters such as automobile accidents, heart attacks, and other medical emergencies. Unfortunately, the fire vehicles are aging. The pumper is of 1967 vintage, the tankers 1958 & 1962, the brush trucks 1956 and 1966, and the chief's car 1969. Only the rescue squad vehicle is new. Do we need to modernize?

Well, fire protection has come a long way since 1948. Gone are old fundraisers such as the Fireman's Ball, skeet shooting, and the annual picnic. Replacing these events are the highly successful semi-annual Sunday breakfasts begun about five years ago. The most recent feed was attended by 600 hungry residents. The Bennett Valley Fire Protection District appreciates this support.

-Warren WatkinsThe Bennett Valley Voice is published quarterly and distributed solely to the members of the Bennett Valley Homeowners Association with the exception of the January issue which is distributed throughout Bennett Valley.