CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS

AUGUST 15, 2011

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Chairman Mark Schiller, Commissioner Charles Larsen, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh and Commissioner Harry Harned. Commissioner Raymond Bauer was absent. Also present were Treasurer Denise Fiore, Chief Ronald Rifenburgh, First Assistant Chief Bruce Potts and Robert Desmond.

Chairman Schiller opened the meeting with a salute to the flag.

Charles Schultz, Fire Commissioner from Milan Fire Department attended the meeting to speak about the contract between Clermont Fire District and Milan Fire District for coverage in the Shields Road area of town. They presently cover Milan, Gallatin and part of Clermont. They have a four-year contract with Milan and Gallatin and are proposing a three-year contract with Clermont, which will bring them all due at the same time in three years. They are requesting $2496 for 2012, which is an increase of 4% over 2011, and increases of 4% for the next two years. He left a copy of the proposal for the Commissioners to review.

MINUTES: Commissioner Larsen noted a correction on page 2 – Buildings and Grounds – Darryl Millus will let Commissioner Larsen know when he is available. A motion was made to accept the minutes of the July meeting with correction by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURERS REPORT:

Total amount of July invoices $2,475.22

Proposed August 2011 invoices $54,123.77

Paid August 2011 invoices $ 2,000.00

Total $56,123.77

Reconciliation of Accounts

First Niagara Balances as of 7/29/11

Money Market Checking Balance $198,648.65

Checking balance to date $ 578.46

Money Market & Checking balance $199,227.11

Capital Reserve Fund $ 63,360.74

Reserve Fund Balance $ 26,940.33

MOTION: A motion was made to accept the treasurer’s report by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. RBC Wealth Management account statement for July $244,268.33
2. David Roger of RBC email on market action and investments.
3. Association of Fire District information on day trip to Culinary Institute and Ladies Craft Program.
4. Penflex – Executive summaries for Commissioners, Annual Report and Firefighters statements for members and copies for file. Chairman Schiller will hand out member statements.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioners Larsen and Bauer

• Commissioner Larsen will contact Darryl Millus about starting floors at Station #1.

• Custom Overhead Door donated a keypad for the north door at Station #1. A thank you note will be sent.

• Commissioner Larsen will bring up parking lot maintenance at budget time.

INSURANCE: Commissioners Larsen and Bauer

Commissioner Larsen spoke to insurance company and they will contact him if there is a drastic change.

FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

No report

LOSAP: Commissioner Harned and Schiller

No report

LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners

No report

OLD BUSINESS:

• Commissioner Harned completed the Hover Trust Application for hydraulic rescue tool funds, but Commissioner Larsen does not know if it was accepted, as there was some missing information.

• Chairman Schiller will contact the Deckers regarding the bushes, which are creating a sight hazard on the north side of Station #1.

• Chief called for diesel fuel and received 450 gallons and treated it.

NEW BUSINESS:

• After discussion of Milan Fire Department coverage of Clermont’s area on Shields Road, Commissioner Larsen made a motion to accept the contract, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried. Mr. Schultz will be contacted to draw up a contract.

• PENFLEX sent beneficiary forms to be completed by ten members. The Chief will hand them out at the next meeting.

• Commissioner Harned could schedule Penflex to come down in November if we want to discuss getting out of the LOSAP plan. He believes that we could be close to being vested. Chief believes that there is probably a good program out there that could cost less. After discussion, Commissioner Harned will schedule them to come in November.

• Budget Workshop will be held on September 19^th at 7:00 P.M. after the regular meeting.

• A public hearing will be scheduled for Tuesday, October 18 at 7:00 P.M.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were two calls for July:

7/9/11 – AAPI – County Route 6

7/26/11 – Wires down on Cemetery Road

The drill was held working on nozzles, etc.

The Chief reported on the following:

• There was a drill with the Sheriffs dive team and two members attended.
• Mill Road Bridge closure.
• Grant for Volunteer Firefighters Assistance Grant – The open period for applications is August 15^th to September 11^th. After discussion, it was decided that Commissioner Larsen will contact Nancy Moore and Denise Fiore will contact Victor Cornelius regarding writing the grant.
• Bob McCarthy contacted Chief Rifenburgh about giving Firefighter Ronald Seymour’s turnout coat to his son Brandon. Commissioner Larsen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh to give the turnout coat to Brandon Seymour. All in favor. So carried.
• Truck #602 is not being used. The Chief would like to put it out to bid for sale. Commissioner Larsen said that Joe Franco was asking about the deck gun for the City of Poughkeepsie, if it was ever decided to get rid of the truck. They have given us items in the past. A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to donate the deck gun from Truck #602 to the City of Poughkeepsie Fire department and put the truck out to bid. All in favor. So carried. The radio will go into Second Assistant Chief Bob McCarthy vehicle.
• The Chief updated the Commissioners on the purchase of a new rescue tool. Garrison is the only vendor that can sell this tool in this area. It is a single line function conversion kit for pump and conversion kit for cutters, rams and spreaders, two 32 feet hose for running two tools at a total cost of $4,905.75.

A motion was made to accept the bid from Garrison for Holmatro tool upgrade for $4,905.75 by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.

• The Chief suggested getting a cleaning lady to clean Station #1 about once a month. Charlie will contact Gloria Millus.
• The Chief has been looking into a new brush truck. The specs were discussed and he will provide copies to the Commissioners and Officers. Commissioner Larsen asked if there is a truck that is similar in this area. The Chief will check into it. The Chief asked if this could be brought to a referendum soon, so that we could get delivery early next year. The suggested amount would be not to exceed $215,000.00. It can then be put out to bid. Our attorney would review any contracts.

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to pay the bills. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Robert Desmond commented on the 4% increase for Milan’s coverage of part of our district. It might be helpful to see how much the homeowners pay in taxes. The Commissioners checked last year and the homeowners on Shields road pay about $3200 in taxes.

On the Mill Road Bridge closure, he has asked the Supervisor to try to get the bridge fixed, to discourage dead end roads in town and have the county put more money aside for infrastructure.

Mr. Desmond also asked if any other company makes similar trucks for less.

A motion was made to adjourn at 9:00 P.M. by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Fire District Secretary