News Briefs

+ Fire Department receives top marks
The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department underwent a review by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO). The review has allowed the town to maintain a high insurance rating that gives credits to homeowners for their insurance policies. 

ISO measured the fire suppression capabilities of the town’s community, giving the town top marks and allowing it to maintain an insurance ranking for town residents that gives them insurance credits. 

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi said the major elements reviewed by ISO include fire-alarm notification and dispatch services, number of engine units, maintenance and testing of department equipment and water supply and personal training. 

The data reviewed is analyzed by ISO and gives the town a fire suppression-rating grade used by the property/casualty insurance industry in their risk assessment for a particular community. 

+ Rats discovered at Town Hall
Four rats were discovered in Town Hall last week, leaving Public Works Department staff scrambling to put down traps to catch the unwelcome guests.

Town Clerk Trish Granger said staff is unsure how the rats got into the building. The rats could have sneaked in when the cleaning staff cleans the building at night and takes out the trash, Granger said. Public Works Director Juan Florensa said his staff has also sealed some air conditioning ducts where the sealing foam had deteriorated, in case the rats entered through the ducts.

The rats left behind a mess of oatmeal packets that they grabbed from a desk and also made a mess in the kitchen and in Finance Director Tom Kelley’s office.

The rats were trapped and removed from Town Hall. Staff has not reported any other intruders.

+ Holiday schedule
There will be no changes in the solid waste, recycling or yard-waste collection schedules for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Town Hall and its various departments will be closed Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 31 and Tuesday, Jan. 1.

Meetings & Agendas
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10.
• Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14.
• Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15.
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.