Fire Commissioners Meeting - March

CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS

MARCH 16, 2015

 

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, March 16, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Chairwoman Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh, Commissioner Raymond Bauer and Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh. Also present were Chief Fred Gooderham, Captain Lloyd Kukon and Treasurer Denise Fiore.

MINUTES: Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh noted a correction on page 2, to change Chairman to ‘Commissioner’ under Insurance. A motion was made to approve the minutes with correction as noted by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Total of February invoices paid $ 7,876.07

Proposed March invoices $ 1,945.44 *

Paid March invoices $12,345.70

Total $14,291.14 *

*Adjusted totals

Reconciliation of Accounts

The Bank of Greene County Balances to date

Money Market Checking balance $244,517.61 *

* Includes interest paid on 2/28/15 - $33.14

Checking Balance $ 310.79

Plus Deposits $ 16,766.62

Less Outstanding Checks $ 12,634.55

Checking Balance to Date $ 4,442.86

Money Market & Checking Account total $248,960.47

Capital Reserve Fund $ 33,540.83

Reserve Fund Balance $ 29,613.35

A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Letter and one year contract was sent to the Milan Volunteer Fire Department for signature, as well as, request for Certificate of Liability Insurance. Has not yet been returned.
  • Certificates of Training for Commissioners received for Commissioner Saulpaugh, Commissioner Bauer and Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh.
  • RBC Account Statement for February 2015 - $311,889.78.

INVESTMENT POLICY: A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh for the Chairwoman to sign this policy. All in favor. So carried. The investment policy for the defined benefit length of service award program was signed by the Chairwoman and will be sent to RBC Wealth Management. This explains how the District monies are being invested.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

No report

INSURANCE: Commissioners S. Rifenburgh and R. Rifenburgh

Commissioner R. Rifenburgh received a reply from Fingar Insurance on the questions that were asked when the Commissioners met with Mark Fingar.

  1. The locations of the non-firehouse structures – Location 2 – has been corrected.
  2. Does Mutual aid cover another company’s burned out pump or a pump that breaks. There is an exclusion in the policy that ‘any expense incurred in or material used in connection with the operation of the "auto" or "its equipment" This is interpreted that there is no coverage for vehicles or equipment that wear out or breakdown in the course of their operation, such as engine seizes, pump burnout, flat tires, hoses that burst, etc. This would not apply to equipment or autos damaged as a result of responding or in the course of its emergency response. If a pump sucked in something that damaged it, the insurance company could cover it subject to review.
  3. Generator: The town purchased the generator for Station #2 and gave it to the fire company. The concern was that the town was covering this generator, however, Mr. Fingar checked and it is not insured by the town, but by the company.

FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

  • New nozzles have been installed on the trucks and hoses have been moved around.

There will be no servicing on the trucks this year. Next year change the oil and filters on all. Truck #604 needs a NYS inspection and will be taken to Joe’s Auto Repair.

LOSAP: Chairwoman Rifenburgh and Commissioner R. Rifenburgh

Commissioner Rifenburgh reported that the LOSAP points list was posted at the firehouses and there are two additions to be made, Joseph Scott, Jr. and Daniel Pax Farr will be added to the LOSAP list. They did not have enough points this year but they are on the list for next year. There was only one question from Peter Cichetti and that was resolved. He did have enough points.

LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners

  • TRAVEL EXPENSE POLICY: Commissioner Rifenburgh found a travel expense policy for the District. There is a travel expense report, which would be handed into the District and after approval the Treasurer would issue reimbursement. A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve this document. All in favor. So carried.
  • WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICY: This is an OSHA law, which requires a policy, incident report and training every year for firefighters. After review by the Commissioners, it will be discussed next month.
  • SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY: Chairwoman Rifenburgh will have a sample copy of a policy for next month.

LEGAL: All Commissioners

  • EMERGENCY ESCAPE SYSTEM GUIDELINES. Chief Gooderham has prepared guidelines for this system. The board will review this policy. There will be training on March 22nd for five firefighters. These guidelines can be adopted next month.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • The Chief has received one application for the Jr. Firefighter program.
  • Air Compressor: A representative from Haight will be here on Wednesday to see what size filters are needed, but the price should be under $700.00 for the servicing.

$205 for air sample test by Haight. The Chief was asked to request a certificate of liability.

  • INVENTORY: Captain Kukon said a complete inventory would be done at the next meeting.
  • FUEL REPORT: Commissioner Rifenburgh said that there was no fuel report.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • PAGERS: There were several pagers sent to Com Tech, but were not fixed when they were returned. They have been sent back to Com Tech. We may start sending to Pittsfield, which is a Motorola dealer. The Minitor II pagers have been working fine.
  • BAY AREAS AT STATION #2: The District is paying for the bays at Station #2 but they are not clean. A letter will be sent to the Company asking that they arrange for someone to clean the area or the District will get someone to clean it.
  • NEW COMMISSIONER: Commissioner R. Rifenburgh recommended Mark Hildenbrand for the open Commissioner’s seat. A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to appoint Mark Hildenbrand to fill the open Commissioners seat for a five-year term. All in favor. So carried.
  • COMMISSIONERS TRAINING COURSE:

Three of our Commissioners attended the training course for Commissioners. It was learned that the Treasurer’s bond must be filed with the Town Clerk. The Election must have three people, teller, inspector and chairperson. The most that can be paid is $35.00. Any reserve fund set up for the purchase of a truck, equipment, building repairs must be established for that purpose. The Organizational meeting must be held before January 15th of the year. Commissioner Bauer suggested establishing a bid policy. A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to purchase the book from Fire District Affairs for $35.00, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

  • NEW MEMBERS:

Applications were received from Natasha Moyer and Ryan Brown for membership. A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to accept Natasha Moyer for membership in the District, seconded by Commissioner Bauer pending receiving cleared background check. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to accept Ryan Brown for membership in the District, seconded by Commissioner Bauer pending receiving cleared background check. All in favor. So carried.

Letters of acceptance will be sent.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were four calls for February:

2/2/15 – CO Detector Activation – 358 Commons Road

2/11/15 – AA Unknown PI – State Route 9G

2/21/15 – AAPI – 1480 State Route 9

2/22/15 – Alarm Activation – 3847 State Route 9G

Drills: 2/23/15 Driver Training/Advancing Hose Line/Fire Attack, Videos Tanker Truck driving/Fire Attach and Hose advancement. Discussion followed regarding types of Initial Fire Attach. 18 firefighters attended.

  • The Chief has not had word on the light tower delivery.
  • Truck #604 and #603 have been fitted with new nozzles and hose moved around.
  • OSHA TRAINING scheduled for March 30th and April 15th
  • Hosting pump operator class in August and September.
    • Commissioner R. Rifenburgh suggested replacing nozzles on Truck #601 with one-inch nozzles at $150.00 each from Garrison. They also have an aluminum nozzle for $50.00.
    • Commissioner R. Rifenburgh suggested buying flares by the case. Garrison has cases of 36 for $74.95. A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer to purchase 4 cases of 36 in each for $300.00 plus freight, seconded by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh. Commissioner Saulpaugh was opposed. Chief Gooderham was opposed.
    • A motion was made to purchase two nozzles for Truck #601 from Garrison by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

    A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to pay the bills as amended, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

    PUBLIC COMMENT:

    Bob Desmond believes that the mutual aid company should pay for any damage to their truck.

    A motion was made by Commissioner R. Rifenburgh to adjourn at 9:10 P.M., seconded by Commissioner Bauer.

    　

    Respectfully submitted,

    Mary Helen Shannon

    Fire District Secretary

    　

    　

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    Fire Commissioners