CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JULY 19, 2010
The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Chairman Ronald Rifenburgh, Commissioner Charlie Larsen, Commissioner Raymond Bauer, Commissioner Harry Harned, Chief Laurence Saulpaugh, Donald Van Wagner, and Denise Fiore. Commissioner Mark Schiller was absent.
The Chairman opened the meeting with a salute to the flag.
MINUTES: Chairman Rifenburgh noted a correction on the last page, last paragraph to change ‘hose and oxygen tanks’ to ‘hose and air tanks’.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the June meeting by Commissioner Larsen as corrected, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Total Amount of June invoices paid $ 7,236.22
Proposed July Invoices $ 217.56
Paid July Invoices $ 1,773.89
Total $ 1,991.45
Money Market Checking Balance $184,297.40
Checking Balance $ 3,584.86
Less outstanding checks $ 4,886.85
Deposit 6/5/10 $ 2,000.00
Checking Balance to date $ 698.01
Money Market and Checking Total $184,995.41
Capital Reserve Fund: $ 63,239.14
Reserve Fund Balance $ 20,015.78
A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried
Gary Smith came in to speak to the Commissioners regarding, what he believes to be hazards in the apartment where he and family live. He has the basement apartment in the Pinho apartments at 1547 Route 9 on the north side. He stated that there is one entrance, two small windows, electric box in cabinet, one smoke alarm inside and two outside that don’t work. He has called the Town building inspector but he has been told that the building predates the 1991 Codes and he cannot help him. Mr. Smith has contacted State agencies and the Columbia County Health Department regarding issues of septic and ventilation. A letter will be written to the Building Inspector requesting that he contact Mr. Smith to address the issues of code violation with a copy to the Town Board.
COMMUNICATIONS:
- Fire District Affairs Newsletter for June – July
- RBC Wealth Management for June Account Balance $195,116.52
- Register Star article of Firefighters completing training classes
- Letter to Shaun Hegarty accepting him into membership
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioner Bauer, Commissioner Larsen
- Lights have been installed, timer has not.
EQUIPMENT: Commissioner Bauer, Commissioner Schiller
- Truck #601 will be sent to Ralph’s for pump service
LOSAP: Commissioner Harned
No Report
LAWS AND POLICIES:
- Tracey Gallant is working on typing the laws and policies.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Commissioner Bauer has received pricing from Failsafe, New Jersey and Middletown Connecticut on testing hose. For approximately 5000 feet of hose of mixed sizes, $.35 per foot, total $1750.00. This includes testing to standards, provide computerized report, unpack, pack hose, and check gaskets, couplings, and mark all hose. We will require a certificate of insurance. Commissioner Bauer’s concern is that if we start testing and some hose fails, we should budget in for new hose. American Hose Testing Co. has not sent a quote. Suggested a motion that when quotes are received Commissioners Bauer and Schiller could make the decision
A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen for Commissioners Bauer and Schiller to choose the best deal for hose testing and give them the authority to make decision and hire them. All in favor. So carried.
- Phone rental of $2.75 per month was cancelled and voice mail was cancelled. Purchase an answering machine for Station #1.
- Fuel Oil bid: Chairman Rifenburgh will talk to Main Care Energy about propane tanks at Station #2, which are owned by Main Care Energy. State bid for propane has gone to Kosco.
- Website for used fire equipment is down.
- Siren at Station #2: The Directors of Fire Company must decide where the pole is going for the siren. If not done by the end of year, the Commissioners will not put the funds into next year’s budget.
- Portable pumps and generators are going to be serviced by Officers.
- There are three members who need to complete the OSHA training. The Chief will check with Janet Shumsky. A letter will be written they must attend a course, if offered, by August 31 or their status will become inactive due to the lack of bloodbourne pathogens course. They should the contact the Chief.
- Grant: We have not received the balance of the grant of approximately $7000.00. Chairman Rifenburgh will check with Carol Lent.
NEW BUSINESS:
A letter will be written to John Fieser, Clermont Building Inspector about safety issue concerns of Gary Smith, who is a resident of an apartment located at Manual Pinho’s, 1547 Route 9, and copied to the Clermont Town Board. A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to write the letter. All in favor. So carried.
CHIEFS REPORT:
There were six calls for June:
- 6/1/10 Alarm Activation - Route 6 and Nevis Road
- 6/9/10 AAPD - Nevis Road
- 6/15/10 Standby for Tivoli Fire Department in Tivoli
- 6/23/10 AAPI - Pleasantvale Road
- 6/28/10 Alarm Activation - Ford Road
- 6/28/10 AAPI – County Route 6 and Cedar Hill Road
The monthly drill was held on 6/28/10 on Jaws of Life.
The Chief requested permission to take a truck to Fireman’s Convention in Ghent.
The Chief reported that he is having trouble with firefighters covering standbys. The calls are getting covered. It will be brought up at the next Fire Company meeting.
BILLS:
The bills were reviewed and a motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to pay the bills. All in favor. So carried.
Budget discussions will start next month.
The Village Green BBQ will be held on August 7th with seating at 3:30 P.M. and 5:30 P.M.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:15 P.M. by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon
Fire District Secretary