CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JANUARY 17, 2011
The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their organizational and regular meeting on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 6:45 P.M. Those present were Commissioner Charles Larsen, Commissioner Mark Schiller, Commissioner Raymond Bauer, Commissioner Harry Harned, Treasurer Denise Fiore, Chief Ronald Rifenburgh, First Assistant Chief Bruce Potts, Laurence Saulpaugh and Robert Desmond
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: See Resolutions #1 through #11 attached.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to accept the minutes of the December meeting.
TREASURERS REPORT:
Treasurer Denise Fiore gave the following report:
Total amount of December 2010 invoices paid $62,988.15
* $50,602.79 paid to RBC Wealth Management for 2010 LOSAP contribution.
Proposed January 2011 Invoices $ 9,239.79
Paid January 2011 Invoices $ 1,821.57
Total $ 11,061.36
Money Market Checking Balance $l06,447.24*
Includes interest paid on 12/31/10 in the amount of $18.71
Checking Balance $ l,450.59
Less outstanding checks $ 1,950.59
Plus Deposit $ 500.00
Checking Balance to date $ 129.02
Money Market & Checking A/C total $106,576.26
Capital Reserve Fund $ 63,296.66
Reserve Fund Balance $ 26,973.01
Commissioner Larsen pointed out that we cannot pay all this months bills until we receive a check from the town for taxes collected, which should be early February. A motion was made by Commissioner Harned to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letter of Interest from Laurence Saulpaugh for position of Commissioner on the Clermont Board of Fire Commissioners.
- Fire District Commissioners Training offered by Scicchitano & Pinsky, PLLC in Kingston on February 26, 2011, $65.00 per attendee. Also, On line presentation for a charge of $100.00 in order to obtain a certificate of completion of course. There was discussion regarding the course offered in Copake. Commissioner Harned will check into this.
- RBC Wealth Management letter regarding completion of the Corporate Resolution provided and contact information.
- RBC Wealth Management statement for December 2011 in the amount of $248,99.16.
- RBC Wealth Management regarding reporting tax information for 2011
- Treasurer Fiore received a letter from the Comptroller regarding new software for reporting. She completed federal excise exempt certificates and received a refund from Ben Funks from 2007 in the amount of $24.15.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Commissioner Larsen/Commissioner Bauer
- Commissioner Larsen reported that the siren has been installed at Station #2. It works when our tones are sent out on Saturday and fire calls. Does not work under a group siren test such as on Wednesday.
INSURANCE: Commissioner Larsen/Commissioner Bauer
- Received a Certificate of Insurance from LoVullo Associates/Commercial Instruments and Alarm Systems.
- Our insurance policy does not expire until next year. (Correction: Insurance policy is a three year agreement, expiring next year at the end of February)
FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioner Bauer/Commissioner Schiller
- Commissioner Bauer asked about batteries on Truck #604. Discussed getting a battery tender rather than leaving on battery charger. They may cost $40-$50. A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to purchase a battery tender. All in favor. So carried.
- Larry Saulpaugh asked about getting additional insurance for the airstrip, which is used for drills and hydrant. Commissioner Larsen will check into this.
- Discussed hydrants around town and it was suggested by Chief Rifenburgh to get signatures of agreement with homeowners.
LOSAP: Commissioner Harned/Commissioner Schiller
- Chairman Schiller has the forms for this year. Commissioner Harned has spoken to Penflex regarding withdrawing from the plan. We have to talk to the president of Penflex. No company has every withdrawn. We should invite him here to talk about what is involved in withdrawing. Commissioner Harned will check about vested rights. Chief Rifenburgh said there might be another program to get into.
LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners
Chief Rifenburgh has the Standard Operating Procedures and will be handing them out to members. Each member who receives a copy will complete the form and Commissioners can sign it and it will be kept on file. Each Commissioner received a copy.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Tracey Gallant will be paid $600.00 for typing the Standard Operating Procedures.
A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to add the payment for Tracey Gallant in the amount of $600.00. All in favor. So carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
- A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to appoint Laurence Saulpaugh to the Commissioners position to complete the remaining one-year of the term of Ronald Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.
- FEMA Payment: Application was made by past Chief Laurence Saulpaugh for reimbursement from the Federal and State Emergency Management for the December 2008 winter storm. The Town received a check in the amount of $9581.25. In order to get a refund from the Town, a voucher will be completed and submitted to the Town.
- Received a membership application from Michael W. Moore of Clermont . A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to accept Michael W. Moore as a firefighter for Clermont Fire Company. All in favor. So carried. A letter of acceptance and physical form will be sent.
CHIEFS REPORT:
- There were seven calls for December 2010 as follows:
12/7/10 – AAPD- 1300 County Route 8
12/8/10 – AAPI – Route 9 & Mountain View Road
12/13/10 – CO2 Detector Activation – 32 Cemetery Road
12/18/10 – AAPD Traffic Control – County Route 8 and Route 9
12/19/10 – Chimney Fire – 1143 County Route 8
12/24/10 – AAPI – Route 9G
12/29/10 – AAPD – Route 9 and Lasher Road
There was no drill for December due to weather.
- Chief Rifenburgh asked the Commissioners to consider crediting members with drill points when a drill is called due to weather conditions. The LOSAP points system requires 12 drills in the year. Not receiving this credit may be responsible for a member not getting the points required.
Commissioner Larsen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Harned to give credit for a drill cancelled due to weather. All in favor. So carried.
- Chief Rifenburgh reported that the members of Clermont present for the Ice Rescue training did an excellent job. There were eight attendees and they participated in the events. The rate to be charged will be apportioned based on the number attending from each department.
- The Chief would like a thank you note to be sent to Ernest Churchhill who made the counter top for Station #1. A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to send a thank you to Mr. Churchhill. All in favor. So carried.
- The Chief would like a thank you to go out to Germantown X-mart for donated coffee the night of an AAPI on December 24, 2010.
- Chief Rifenburgh sent three or four air bottles to be filled at Germantown. One was over filled and the relief valve was blown. He sent it back to MES for a relief valve and it blew again. He will send it back.
- The Chief said that the desk at Station #1 is empty and asked if anyone wants the desk, if not he will contact Ed DeWitt to take it away.
- Requested a doctor’s release from Laurence Saulpaugh to return as an active firefighter. Commissioner Saulpaugh turned in a completed physical form with no restrictions.
- Will continue to have Edward DeWitt to pick up garbage.
- All batteries have been changed in equipment. The batteries in the CO detector were corroded and have been replaced.
- The Chief would like to purchase two sets of binoculars for M60 and Truck #603, and four stack chairs for Station #1.
- He purchased one eraser board for Station #1.
- Commissioner Saulpaugh has two batteries for flashlights, which he will get to the Chief.
- Commissioner Larsen would like a carpet or mat for Station #2 bay because the floor is slippery when wet. He would also like to have the lines painted on the bay floor.
MOTIONS:
A motion was made to accept the Chiefs Report by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made for the Chief to have $250.00 per month for purchases without having to make a request to the Commissioners by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
Commissioner Saulpaugh turned in copies of the 2008 flow test and 2009 flow test on air packs. He also turned in the registered alarms for Clermont and membership list from the State on training of firefighters. He gave the year-end report of calls for 2010, which were 53 for the year.
A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to pay the bills based on money we have in checking account. All in favor. So carried.
Commissioner Larsen noted that we have done a good job of staying within the budget.
Chairman Schiller thanked Ron for his service and work as Chairman of the Fire Commissioners.
With no other business for the district, Chairman Schiller asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen at 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon
Fire District Secretary