Nearly thirty people showed up at  the Van Zandt County Emergency Services District #2 special meeting held Monday in Grand Saline. Board President Doyle Milliron told the group the board had a called a special meeting to address concerns raised by the January 11 meeting when two new members took over board positions.

Milliron announced that the board would be meeting in executive session and then would reconvened to discuss business. After being questioned about the purpose of the executive session, Milliorn said the board would be meeting with their attorney.

After an hour and fifteen minutes in a closed-door session, the board reconvened. Milliorn explained the board's concerns saying the board was concerned that action taken during the January 11 meeting might not be appropriate since it was done by board members whose terms had already expired.

The terms of former board president John Teague and board member Harry Clifford expired in December 2009. In December Van Zandt County Commissioners appointed two new members, John Robison and Sid Shuemake, to take their places. During the last meeting, Teague and Clifford voted on a motion to accept the consent agenda , before formally swearing in Robison and Shuemake.

See related story > ESD swears in two new members

Elliot told the audience state law allows for members whose terms have expired to continue to serve until new members formally take their seats.

Milliron said the board was satisfied with the board's previous action but did need to address the issue of the ESD providing $25,000 to the City of Grand Saline to help build a sub-station in the Sand Flat area.

Elliot explained that the contract between the ESD and the city needed to be amended to include provisions for real estate of the property that was not foreseen when the original contract was written more than a year ago.

"Both groups need to know what they are agreeing to contractually," said Elliot. When asked how long it would take to make the changes, Elliot said the parties should be able to agree to an amendment during the next meeting.

Milliron said the board would schedule a workshop with the city and fire department within the next few days.