Fire Commissioners

CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

 

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their monthly meeting on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Chairman Ronald Rifenburgh, Commissioner Charles Larsen, Commissioner Mark Schiller, Commissioner Raymond Bauer and Commissioner Harry Harned. Others present were Chief Laurence Saulpaugh, Assistant Chief Ronald Seymour, Treasurer Denise Fiore and Robert Desmond.

The meeting was opened by Chairman Rifenburgh with the salute to the flag.

A motion was made to accept the minutes of the August meeting by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried.

 

TREASURERS REPORT:

August Invoices Paid $4,410.15

Proposed September Invoices $26,432.80

Paid September Invoices $ 2,083.20

Total $28,516.00

Money Market Checking & Interest $100,179.24

Checking Balance $ 240.62

Plus deposit $ 2,000.00

Less Outstanding checks $ 2,083.20

Checking Balance to date $ 157.42

Total Money Market & Checking $100,336.66

Capital Reserve Fund $ 56,381.58

A motion was made to accept the Treasurers report by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried.

Commissioner Harned asked if we have $100, 000.00 in Money Market account. This does include Capital Reserve amount of $56,381.58.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  1. Livingston Fire District held their budget workshop on September 10, 2009.
  2. RBC Wealth Management account balance: $205,653.01
  3. Received a draft of the Town of Clermont Emergency Preparedness Plan.
  4. Certificate of Liability from Upstate ARB Communication –Leonard Wireless
  5. Budget Calendar for 2010 was reviewed.
  6. Discussed holding invoice for camera because Chairman has not received charger.

COMMITTEES:

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioner Larsen and Commissioner Bauer

Commissioner Bauer has worked on the septic and will place more fill in spring.

Received the CIA Security Contract from Commissioner Bauer for alarm at Station #1.

INSURANCE: Commissioner Larsen and Commissioner Bauer

Chief Saulpaugh asked if the insurance has to be updated because of cameras. The policy is open-ended and should automatically cover the cameras.

LOSAP: Commissioner Harned and Commissioner Schiller

No report

LAWS AND POLICIES:

Commissioner Harned opened the discussion about fire police when on scene. Chief has spoken to them about the use of chairs at their posts. Fire police say that they were told at fire police school and by police that it is okay. The Commissioners feel that they should not be sitting in the middle of the road. If they are off on the shoulder it might be acceptable.

There was also discussion at a previous meeting about instituting an alcohol and drug policy. A sample policy was read by the Chairman as follows:

No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs shall be carried on any fire apparatus at any time.

A firefighter shall not respond to or operate at any emergency scene or training session while having just prior consumed alcoholic beverages or drugs, or while under the influence of such alcohol or drugs or while any physical signs of having consumed such alcohol or drugs is detectable by others or that may affect his/her ability to safely operate an apparatus or perform his/her duties. A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to adopt the policy as read by the Chairman. All in favor. So carried. A copy will be sent to company.

Commissioner Harned asked if we have anything to prevent members from taking out the fire truck without permission. There was discussion about possibly adding something to the policies.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Commissioner Schiller is still trying to get beneficiary forms back from members.
  2. Inventory: Inventory of trucks has been completed and will be reviewed by Commissioner Schiller and Commissioner Bauer.
  3. Generator has been installed at Station #2. Will be hooked up to 500-gallon propane tank.
  4. Mirrors on #603 have been installed.
  5. Siren at Station #2: still waiting on pole to be installed.
  6. Federal Grant: Everything has been ordered. Once all items are received and paid Treasurer Fiore will contact Carol Lent to close out the grant. Any unexpended balance under $6000 can be spent on additional items of the same without affecting grant.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Budget Workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 P.M.
  2. The public hearing for the budget will be held on Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30 P.M. The regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:00 P.M. A motion was made to hold the public hearing on October 20th at 6:30 P.M. and hold the regular meeting on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:00 P.M. by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried.
  3. Requirements for firefighters: Firefighter 1 course is a 36-week course. There is another course for 9 weeks called Scene Support for those who do not want to do interior firefighting. This will allow new people to join the fire department but not have to take a long course. It is a State course accepted by the State and Fire Coordinators office. Commissioner Larsen asked if this would discourage those from wanting to be interior firefighters. It is not believed so. A motion was made by Commissioner Harned to accept the Scene Support Course as fulfilling the requirements for new members who do not want to do interior firefighting. Seconded by Commissioner Bauer. Commissioner Larsen abstained. So carried.

    4. The course starts on October 20th at Greenport Station #3. This information will be sent to the Fire Company.

  4. Fall Seminar Series from the NYS Chiefs Association: Big City Strategies and Tactics for Small Town Fire Departments will be held December 9th at 7:00 P.M. in Millbrook. Sign up is $15.00 for members; non-members are $25.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen for any interested to attend. All in favor. So carried.
  5. Fire District Election will be held on December 8th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. There is one commissioner seat, currently filled by Commissioner Schiller, which expires December 31, 2009. A letter of intent to run must be submitted by November 18th.
  6. Commissioner Schiller asked if there are two chocks for each truck. Chief will check.
  7. Inventory will be entered by Tracey Gallant, update as necessary with new equipment, take out old.
  8. Commissioner Larsen asked about old hose, which comes off truck. He may know someone who is interested in 4-inch hose. Germantown also would like some of the smaller lengths.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were six calls for August:

8/7/09 - AAPI – County Route 8- north entrance South Road

8/8/9 – Odor of Propane – 149 Commons Road

8/9/09 – Alarm Activation – Woods Road and County Route 6

8/13/09 – Wires Down – Route 9

8/17/09 – Rollover accident – County Route 8 and Mill Road

8/27/09 List Assist – Greenport Rescue Squad – Route 9

Drills:

8/16/09 – drill with Livingston Fire Department- Snydertown Road

8/24/09 - Fire Police Meeting

8/24/09 – Philmont at Burn Tower

Work Details:

8/2/09 – Washing trucks

8/3/09 – Mowing

8/8/09 – Traffic Detail – Town barbecue

8/15/09 – Mowing

  • Three batteries have been replaced on #604
  • Clutch problem on #602 is corrected.
  • Hose has to be put on trucks.
  • Commissioner Larsen asked if it is a good idea to leave doors open when trucks go out. They should be closing them.
  • A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Schiller not to pay the ISG invoice for the camera until the charger has been received. All in favor. So carried
  • Bob Desmond asked whom sets the requirements for the course offered by the State. The requirements are statewide requirements for firefighters, set by the State.
  • The Scene Safety Course requirement has been dropped for Fire Police.
  • There is a Hazmat operations course on October 28th in Copake for four nights.
  • The Fire Advisory board meetings will be held quarterly rather than six meetings per year.
  • Assistant Chief Seymour asked how the Scene Support course measures up to OSHA requirements. Still requires full gear.
  • Annual meeting at Kozels with Iroquois on October 6th
  • Annual Fire Company banquet is October 17th at 6:00 P.M. at Station #2.
    • A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Schiller to purchase door prizes for banquet not to exceed $200.00. All in favor. So carried.

    The next meeting is on Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30.

    A motion was made to adjourn at 8:18 P.M. by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.

    Respectfully submitted,

     

    Mary Helen Shannon

    Fire District Secretary

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Fire Commissioners