CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting and budget workshop on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Chairman Mark Schiller, Commissioner Charles Larsen, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh, Commissioner Raymond Bauer and Commissioner Harry Harned. Also present were Chief Ronald Rifenburgh and Treasurer Denise Fiore.
Commissioner Schiller opened the meeting with a salute to the flag.
MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the August meeting by Chairman Schiller, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Total amount of August invoices $ 56,123.77
Proposed September 2011 invoices $ 4,052.13
Paid September 2011 invoices $ 2,219.21
Total $ 6,271.34
Reconciliation of Accounts
First Niagara Balances as of 8/31/11
Money Market Checking Balance $141,165.09
Checking Balance $ 235.56
Money Market & Checking Balance $141,400.65
Capital Reserve Fund $ 63,368.11
Reserve Fund Balance $ 26,943.47
MOTION: A motion was made to accept the treasurer’s report by Commissioner Schiller, seconded by Commissioner Raymond Bauer. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- RBC Wealth Management account statement for August $278,256.02
- Penflex, Inc. – letter received regarding Ronald Seymours death notifying beneficiary about entitlement.
- Penflex, Inc. – letter received regarding lump sum pay out to beneficiary of Ronald Seymour.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BUILDINGS: Commissioners Larsen and Bauer
- Commissioner Larsen has not contacted Darryl Millus about floors and has not contacted Gloria to clean but will contact both of them.
- Commissioner Saulpaugh said the door keypad has been installed and is working.
- Chief Rifenburgh said the siren is fixed. He said an animal chewed through the wires.
INSURANCE: Commissioners Larsen and Bauer
No report
FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh
- Chief Rifenburgh had algaecide and fuel conditioner put into diesel fuel at Station #2 but that did not solve problem.
LOSAP: Commissioners Harned and Schiller
No report
- Chief Rifenburgh handed out 75% of beneficiary forms to members. Chief Rifenburgh asked if a member is entitled to benefits if they enter the Fireman’s home. Commissioner Harned will check on this.
LAWS POLICIES: All Commissioners
No report
OLD BUSINESS:
TRUCK BID: Three bids were received for the 1975 International brush truck as follows:
- Evan Decker - $350.00
- Lawrence Risch - $700.00
- Joe’s Auto Repair - $925.00
A motion was made to accept bid from Joe’s Auto Repair by Commissioner Larsen and seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried. Chief Rifenburgh will pick up check from Joe and get title from Mary. Commissioner Larsen will cancel insurance.
Commissioner Schiller contacted the Milan Fire Department and accepted the contract and the District will pay out of 2012 budget. A letter to be sent stating we have not received the contract and the District also wants a copy of their insurances stating we are named as insured.
Commissioner Schiller called Kim Decker in reference to the bushes on her property that are a sight hazard. Kim said she will take care of trimming the bushes when the leaves fall. Commissioner Schiller stated that Kim was not receptive to this request and did not appreciate the phone call. Commissioner Schiller will have the secretary write a letter to notify Kim that the driver of the fire truck’s vision is greatly impaired while trying to get out of the Fire Station onto Route 9. The driver cannot see the traffic clearly causing a dangerous situation for both the driver of the fire truck and the traffic on Route 9. Commissioner Larsen requested the letter be mailed certified mail return receipt requested.
Commissioner Schiller asked Chief Rifenburgh about reports via computer. Chief Rifenburgh said last year’s chief’s reports were sent and received. He does not know about this year.
Chief Rifenburgh has a copy of completed specs for new fire truck. The specs will be sent out to bid. Chief Rifenburgh suggested the bid to be put out for public referendum. The total amount for the purchase is $220,000, with the amount from the reserve fund not to exceed $60,000. Chief Rifenburgh stressed the fact that there will be no tax increases to the taxpayer to purchase the new truck. Chief Rifenburgh wants specs sent out to speed up the process. Chief Rifenburgh said bids can come back before referendum. Commissioner Larson asked Treasurer to call lawyer to check if he has to review the bid along with the contract. Chief Rifenburgh will take specs to printer and have copies made to be sent out. Chief Rifenburgh stated the only change in specs was pump. Commissioner Larson made a motion to put new truck out for bid and hold public referendum. He also asked if Livingston (110 residents) have a right to vote. Commissioner Harned suggested Commissioner Larsen amend the date for referendum to Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Commissioner Larson asked Chief Rifenburgh what the problem was with the Germantown generator. Chief Rifenburgh said he thought the shaft was crooked but the generator company stood by it and replaced it.
Commissioner Larsen made a motion that the public referendum will be held Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.; the bids should be advertised as soon as possible and received no later than 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried.
NEW BUSINESS
The Treasurer and Chief Rifenburgh informed the Commissioners that they spoke to and met with John Duchessi of TGW Consulting Group to discuss writing the AFG for the District. His fee is $2,000 and can be paid in 2012. The application period for the grant has been extended to the 23rd of September. Mr., Duchessi (Duke) has already started the application process and has sent a letter signed by Chief Rifenburgh to FEMA’S Grant Programs Directorate requesting a new user ID and password and updating our contact information. Once the District gets this information from FEMA Duke can get into the narrative portion of the application and complete it.
Commission Larsen made a motion to accept Duke as grant writer. Commission Harned seconded. All in favor. So carried.
FEMA contacted Chief Rifenburgh today asking him what expenses and losses the Clermont Fire District had from the storm. Chief Rifenburgh said none. FEMA also asked Chief Rifenburgh who did pump outs. FEMA will contact homeowners directly and reimburse them. Fire district will receive nothing.
CHIEF’S REPORT
There were eighteen calls for August.
8/14/11 – Gas Odor – Route 9
8/25/11 – AAPD – Route 9
8/27/11 – CO detector activation – Quail Lane
8/28/11 – Pump Outs – 9 calls
8/29/11 – Pump Out – Quail Lane
8/29/11 – Pump Out – Route 9
8/29/11 – Wires and Trees down - 4 calls
There was one drill on 8/22/11
Truck Checks-all equipment run-1 hour OSHA training-16 in attendance
Motion made by Commissioner Saulpaugh to accept chief’s report, seconded by Commissioner Larsen. All in favor. So carried.
Chief Rifenburgh notified Commissioners that he would purchase electrical reels and some hand tools.
Motion made by Commissioner Saulpaugh to adjourn monthly meeting and begin budget meeting, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Fiore for Mary Helen Shannon
September 19, 2011
BUDGET WORKSHOP:
At the budget workshop, the Commissioners held the salaries of the treasurer and secretary and equipment to the same as 2011, increased contractual expenses by $2,145 and held the LOSAP payment and Capital fund transfer to the same.
Commissioner Larsen motioned that the unexpended balance for 2011 would be $11,000, seconded by Commissioner Harned. A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to approve the preliminary budget for the Fire District at $165,871.00.
A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Chairman Schiller at 9:30 P.M.