CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
The Fire Commissioners of the Clermont Fire District held their regular meeting on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall.
Those in attendance were Commissioner Ronald Rifenburgh, Commissioner Charles Larsen and Commissioner Raymond Bauer. Absent were Commissioner Harned and Commissioner Seymour. Also present were Chief Laurence Saulpaugh, Assistant Chief Ronald Seymour and Treasurer Denise Fiore.
Commissioner Larsen asked that at last months meeting, when Harry signed off on death benefit for Amandus Fuchs should we have voted for approval. There probably should have been a motion to accept it.
Commissioner Larsen made a motion to accept the minutes of the August meeting, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So Carried.
Treasurers Report:
Treasurer Denise Fiore gave the following report:
August invoices paid $4,185.84
September invoices proposed $1,885.58
September invoices paid $4,344.50 *
*Revised to include payment for LOSAP and Penflex to $54,623.33
Money Market Checking Balance $147,360.81
Checking Balance to date $ 636.75
Total $147,997.56
Capital Reserve Fund $50,264.41
A motion was made to accept the treasurer's report by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.
COMMUNICATIONS:
- Received letter from Registered Nurses Association regarding automated emergency defibrillators. Discussed purchasing one or two if funds are available at year-end. Chief Saulpaugh and Assistant Chief Seymour will check prices.
- Received letter of intent from Charles Larsen to run for election for Fire Commissioner in December for a five-year term from 2009 to 2013.
- Association of Fire Districts education conference and vendor expo to be held in Ellenville, November 7th and 8th.
- Penflex - Annual Report for Clermont Fire District Service Awards Program.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioner Larsen - Discussed removal of old shed at Station #1.
INSURANCE: Commissioner Larsen, Commissioner Bauer
No report
EQUIPMENT: Commissioner Bauer
No report
LOSAP: Commissioner Harned (absent)
Commissioner Larsen made a motion to approve payment for Mary Jane Fuchs for death benefit payable due to death of Amandus Fuchs, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
Report from Penflex, Inc.on 2008 payment $45,476.22 payable to RBC Wealth Management and $2,917.00 to Penflex for administrative fees.
The amount for next year's budget would be $50,000.00 for plan benefits and $3500 for administrative fees.
A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to pay Penflex, Inc. for administrative fees of $2,917.00 and RBC for $48393.22. All in favor. So carried.
LAWS AND POLICIES:
Officer's requirements will be addressed next month.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Commissioner Larsen contacted Suzette Booy at Real Property Tax Service regarding the section of Clermont, which is covered by the Livingston Fire District. Presently, Livingston covers 103 parcels and the residents are billed on the Livingston Fire District tax rate. The Tax Collector is to write the check directly to the Livingston Fire District, it does not have to go through the Town Supervisor. There was discussion as to whether this area of our town was turned over to the Livingston fire district by any resolution of the town or whether we can just reassume coverage of that area by our Fire District.
Commissioner Larsen is to contact Rob Lopez and ask for a copy of a map of which Clermont residents are covered by the Livingston Fire District. Commissioner Larsen and the Town Clerk will research the old minutes to see what can be found.
- The air bag, which was misplaced, has not been found.
- Inventory of equipment will be worked on through the winter.
- Purchase orders: Chairman Rivenburgh brought a sample of a purchase order for discussion. When any purchases are made, a purchase order number should be given and a copy of the purchase order held and attached to the invoice for the goods. Commissioner Larsen made a motion to start using the purchase order system on January 1, 2009, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried. Chairman Rifenburgh will have them printed up with numbers.
- Chairman Rifenburgh will check into the purchase of the copy machine for Station #1.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Commissioner Brandon Seymour has turned in the district laptop and is reported to be moving from the area. If we get a letter of resignation, this will open up a position for Fire Commissioner for the term ending 12/31/09. A one year period. Commissioner Larsen is running for reappointment for a five-year term.
- There was discussion on fuel oil. Chairman Rifenburgh will ask the fire company to contact Main Care Energy if they are interested in getting their fuel through them.
- The Fire Company Banquet is on October 18th. We agreed to pay up to $1600 for the banquet in the 2008 budget.
- A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen to change the October meeting from October 20 to Tuesday, October 21, for the public hearing on the budget, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
- Application from Francis John Ugorek II. The Fire Company approved this application on September 8, 2008. A motion was made to accept Mr. Ugorek as a member of the Fire District by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Bauer, aye; Commissioner Larsen, aye; Chairman Rifenburgh, aye. Accepted on September 15, 2008. A letter will be sent to Mr. Ugorek with a physical form.
CHIEF'S REPORT:
- There were five calls in August.
- The drill held was on hose testing for trucks #603 and #604. Truck #601 must still be tested. There are no repairs to be made to trucks.
- Due to resignation of Captain Seymour at September 8 meeting of the Fire Company, Robert McCarthy has moved up to Captain and Evan Decker, First Lieutenant.
- Assistant Chief Seymour asked about spiral wraps that Germantown has. Chairman Rifenburgh said that they are nearing their 15-year life span. He suggested getting the carbon tanks, if any, which are not as old.
INVOICES: A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen to pay the bills as revised by the Treasurer, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
BUDGET WORKSHOP:
The Commissioners went through the line items of the budget. The Commissioners are concerned about the increase in the budget, but they realize that it is the increase in the LOSAP plan from $46,500 to $53,500, which has caused the increase and is a set amount that is dictated by the plan costs. They estimate the unexpended balance to be $10,000. A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve the preliminary budget of $169,875.00. All in favor. So carried.
A motion to adjourn at 9:25 P.M. was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon
Fire District Secretary