FIRE COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 15, 2014
The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. Those in attendance were Chairman Mark Schiller, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh, Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Raymond Bauer and Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh. Also present were Chief Fred Gooderham, Treasurer Denise Fiore, 1st Assistant Chief Bruce Potts, Captain Lloyd Kukon and Robert Desmond.
Chairman Mark Schiller opened the meeting with a salute to the flag.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh to accept the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
November invoices paid $ 4,758.62
Proposed December invoices $ 6,506.82
Paid December invoices $ 116.97
Total $ 6,623.79
Reconciliation of Accounts
The Bank of Greene County Balances to Date
Money Market Checking Balance $99,561.47
Checking Balance $ 2,035.33
Plus deposit $ 550.00
Less Outstanding Checks $ 1,543.00
Checking Balance to Date $ 1,042.33
Money Market and Checking Total $100,603.80
Capital Reserve Fund Balance $ 33,469.90
Reserve Fund Balance $ 29,606.80
A motion was made by Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh to approve the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- At the Election held on December 9, 2014, Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh was reappointed to a five-year term 1/1/2015 to 12/31/2019.
- RBC Wealth Management Account Statement for November, 2014 - $315,751.14
- Association of Fire Districts Directory update – to be completed in January.
- Registry Data of Police Officers and Peace Officers annual validation – to be reviewed by the Chief for Fire Police status.
- Penflex – 2014 Data Request Package
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioner Bauer and Commissioner Saulpaugh
No Report
INSURANCE: Commissioner Schiller and Commissioner S. Rifenburgh
No Report
FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioner Bauer and Commissioner Saulpaugh
- Commissioner Saulpaugh reported that Truck #604 has been repaired with a new exhaust clamp.
- The Chief asked if VRS had contacted anyone to check the booster line on Truck #601. No one was contacted.
- There was discussion on whether to repair the brake airline on Truck #604 at the recent Company meeting. Presently, it is hooked up when the driver arrives, giving a minute or minute and a half, time for a second person to arrive at the firehouse. It was a discussion that Chief Gooderham and Commissioner R. Rifenburgh had, but it was never a motion, to give time for anyone to arrive at the firehouse, rather than everyone going to the scene. Commissioner R. Rifenburgh believes it is a lot safer to have a second person in the truck. A decision should be made as to whether you want the firefighters going to the firehouse or to the scene. At the last structure fire, the truck stayed at the firehouse on 9G, no one went to pick it up. Commissioner S. Rifenburgh asked about repairing it and still leaving it hooked up. First Assistant Bruce Potts agrees with the point and it is a valid point because so few go to the firehouse. However, he does not like waiting for the 90 seconds because that can be a long time for a fire. He feels you are waiting for someone who may not show up. He feels that there are certain instances that the truck should not wait. Chairman Schiller asked how the Commissioners feel about getting it fixed. Commissioner Saulpaugh would like to see it get fixed. A motion made by Commissioner Saulpaugh to fix the airline, seconded by Commissioner Ray Bauer. Commissioner R. Rifenburgh is not opposed to fixing the airline, but we need to address the response issue. Commissioner Schiller, aye; Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh, aye; Commissioner Saulpaugh, aye; Commissioner Bauer, aye; Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh, nay. Motion passed four to one.
LOSAP: Commissioner S. Rifenburgh and Commissioner Schiller
The Data Package for 2014 will be completed.
LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners
No Report.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Milan Fire District never responded to Chairman Schiller’s email to come to the meeting regarding the contract with the District.
- Fire Company Banquet: Commissioner R. Rifenburgh went through past minutes and found in the minutes of November 18, 2013 that the District will pay up to $1500.00 for the banquet. We have not yet received a bill from the Company.
- Jr. Firefighters: Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh spoke with the schools and they would be willing to distribute flyers after they are reviewed. She called the insurance company and as long as it is not a separate entity they would be covered. It should be in the minutes of the district, and flyers should be made up to give to the schools. A motion was made to form the Jr. Firefighters for the Clermont Fire District by Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.
- The Treasurer has reported last month that we may be short in the unexpended balance but after review with the accountant, it appears that it will be okay.
- We have not been notified that Firefighter Bob McCarthy has had his breathing test done.
- Light Tower: Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh reviewed the specs from Truck #602 for the wattage of its light tower. It had four 150-watt LED lights, which cost $12,000.00. With the height of the tower, 48 inches, there can be a shadow effect but with this mounted on back of the roof it would probably only effect the front. The Chief reported that Garrison said it would be a twelve-week delivery but could have it installed in 3-5 days or less at their shop. A motion was made by Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh to purchase the light tower from Garrison for $14,275.00 installed, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.
- Station #1 Cleaning: Commissioner S. Rifenburgh cannot continue to clean Station #1 as a Commissioner. It was decided that advertising for someone to clean the building at $50.00 per month. A motion was made by Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh to advertise, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Chairman Schiller is receiving membership applications from National Fire Protection Association. It was discussed whether or not to join and a motion was made by Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh not to join NFPA, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.
- Chief Gooderham showed pictures, which appeared on Facebook, of a member at Station #1 with others who were not members. This individual is still on probation because he has not been a member for two years and in the SOP’s may be expelled for incompetence or misconduct or unsatisfactory performance. (Article 2e).
The Chief reported that his performance has been unfavorable. A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh that a letter be sent to this individual that due to unsatisfactory performance and misconduct he is denied membership and is no longer allowed on Fire District property, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.
There was discussion on a review being done every six month of a firefighters performance by the Chief or Assistants during the two-year probationary period, at which time they would be accepted or denied membership based on the reviews.
CHIEFS REPORT:
There were nine Calls for November, 2014 as follows:
11/5/14 – Alarm activation – 694 Church Avenue
11/19/14 – Structure fire – 1362 State Route 9
11/21/14 – Mutual Aid structure fire (Livingston)
11/23/14 – AAPI – 176 Nevis Road
11/25/14 – Standby structure fire (Germantown)
11/26/14 – Wire down – 3467 State Route 9G
11/27/14 – Tree on wires – Commons Road
11/28/14 – Controlled burn – State 1429 Route 9
Drill: 11/24/14 – Repack hose on cross/lay
Replace batteries on SCBA at Station #2
The Chief contacted MES and they said we do not have a contract for them to replace batteries on the SCBA’s. The firefighters will continue to do this.
There was discussion about changing the combination of the firehouses and possibly getting a security camera for Station #1. The Chief will look into this. The Company can look into security for Station #2.
A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh to accept the Chiefs report, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to pay the bills as presented, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- Bob Desmond was at the fire on State Route 9 and Pleasantvale Road from the beginning to end and was very impressed with the cooperation at the fire scene between the five companies on scene. He wondered if the response could have been faster, but the Chief said that there was four minutes between the dispatch and the first trucks on the scene. The Chief spoke to the owner, as did Commissioner Saulpaugh, and he was very pleased with the response and the outcome.
- First Assistant Chief Bruce Potts is concerned about Shakerly removing the packing around the pump on Truck #601. He feels they should ask before doing something or get in touch with someone to show what is wrong. He feels they are the reason that the truck isn’t right.
- Captain Lloyd Kukon is pleased with the resolutions of the issues of the brake airline and membership.
The Organizational Meeting will be held on Monday, January 19,2015 at 6:30 P.M. with the regular meeting to follow.
A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to pay the Clermont Fire Company for the banquet up to $1500.00 maximum if the bill arrives before Dec. 31st, seconded by Commissioner S. Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.
This being the last meeting for Commissioner Schiller, Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh thanked him for his service on the Board of Fire Commissioners. There were also thanks from all present and we all enjoyed cake with him made by Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:30 P.M. by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon
Fire District Secretary