CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS

JANUARY 21, 2013

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting following the organizational meeting at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Town Hall. Those present were Chairman Mark Schiller, Commissioner Raymond Bauer, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh and Commissioner Harry Harned. Others present were Chief Ronald Rifenburgh, Captain Fred Gooderham, Lisa Teator, Treasurer Denise Fiore and Robert Desmond.

Chairman Schiller opened the regular meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh to accept the Secretary’s report, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Total amount of December invoices paid $16,476.84

Proposed January invoices $ 3,685.09

Paid January invoices $ 2,101.02

Total $ 5,786.11

Reconciliation of Accounts:

Bank of Greene County

Money Market Checking Balance $77,711.48

Checking Balance $ 1,343.40

Plus Deposit $ 2,000.00

Less Outstanding Checks $ 2,596.58

Money Market & Checking Total $78,458.30

Capital Reserve Fund $33,405.50

Reserve Fund $29,493.94

The Chief questioned the invoice from Pittsfield Communication on the radio for Truck #602. He will check the quote received from Pittsfield because he believes it was for less.

A motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s report by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Thank you note from the family of Charles Larsen, Commissioner of the Fire District until his death in October 2012.
• Certificate of Liability from Commercial Instruments and Alarms for alarm at Station #1.
• Certificate of Liability from Kleeber Agency for turn out gear, which is leased, to Community First National Bank.
• Evidence of Property Insurance to Community First National Bank for turn out gear.
• Notices of Conditional renewals from our insurance for various coverage. Given to Commissioner Bauer for review.
• Insurance policy and cards for insurance on 2012 Brush Truck.
• RBC Wealth Management statement for December - $317,954.72
• Association of Fire Districts training information for Commissioners and Treasurer.
• The Treasurer received the lease for the Turnout Gear. Secretary to file.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

BUILDING AND GROUND: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

• Pestmaster will be putting devices at Station #1. There has been no more damage caused by pests since Pestmasters has been coming in.

INSURANCE: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

• Commissioner Bauer reported that he has asked for quotes from Fingar Insurance, Kleeber Agency and Quilty, Dwyer (Linda Flanagan) Ms. Flanagan did an inspection and pointed out that the fuel tank is not barricaded properly at Station #2. It should have cement columns, 4 feet high surrounding it. Commissioner Bauer will get specifications on columns. Insurance companies ask to see different things and it will depend on the underwriters. Discussed separating certain activities from the District policy and the Company policy and the possibility of joining with the town policy.

EQUIPMENT: Commissioner Bauer and Saulpaugh

• The Chief said that there has been nothing on the new high bank radios and whether the county will be purchasing or there will be a lease plan.

LOSAP: Commissioner Harned and Saulpaugh

• The report is due to Penflex in March and he will have the figures for the February Fire Company meeting.

LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners

No report

OLD BUSINESS:

• C. J. Larsen is interested in filling the unexpired term of his father Charles Larsen.

Chairman Schiller explained the limit of the term, which is until the end of this year, reelection for a five-year term and taking the training, which is mandatory.

A motion was made to appoint C.J. Larsen by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer for a term of one year. All in favor. So carried. C.J. was sworn in.

• The Chief explained that the $500.00 check from the court, which was supposed to go to the Company, did get to the District. An agreement was made between the Fire Company and the District that the check be sent to the NYS Trooper fund for Jeremy Proper who is a State Trooper and Copake fireman, and suffering from brain cancer. The donation will be made on behalf of the Fire Company to the Jeremy Proper fund.

A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to send a donation to the Jeremy Proper fund. All in favor. So carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

• An application was received from Robert Keith and was voted on at the fire company meeting. A motion was made to accept Robert Keith into the fire district by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Harned. All in favor. So carried. The Secretary will send a letter and physical form.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were four calls in December:

1. 12/2/12 – Water problem – 600 Woods Road
2. 12/8/12 – AAPI – County Route 4
3. 12/17/12 – Smoke investigation – 1480 State Route 9
4. 12/29/12 – Alarm Activation – 104 Mill Road

The drill for the month was one hour of OSHA training, 2 hours of pump operator class. Nine firefighters attended.

The Chief reported that there were 48 calls for 2012:

Alarm activations – 10

Auto accident, personal injury – 8

Auto accident, property damage – 4

Brush fires – 1

CO Detector – 3

Control Burns – 1

Mutual aid given – 13

Smoke investigations – 5

Structure fires – 2

Water rescue – 1

There were 12 drills held during the year, including 8 on OSHA.

• All ethanol gas has been run out of the generators and power units and replaced with ethanol free gas. It should be good for two years. He will purchase extra cases and add as needed.

• INVENTORY: Chief has started a ledger for repairs and purchases, which can be updated as needed. He also has recorded equipment and gear, which has been given to firefighters.

• The Chief is looking at updating the masks on the airpacks with new amplifiers. He has gotten several ideas, one with on off switch, one with batteries. He will need to order 10. He may also look into FIT test machine.

• GRANT: To date we have not heard or received anything about the grant applied for.

• A cabinet is needed for storage of incidentals at Station #1. He found one for about $350.00. Also needs to replace faucet for sink at Station #1.

A motion was made for the Chief to purchase cabinet by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

• Truck #602 – sending motor and transfer case to VRS for rescue tool. If truck goes out of service for several days, he will put Livingston on stand by.

• M60 can be used for rehabilitation or the auxiliary if out all night. Suggested putting some bench seats in it.

A motion was made to accept the Chiefs report by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to pay the bills as presented with the addition of $49.70 by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Bob Desmond congratulated C. J. Larsen on his appointment to the Board of Fire Commissioners. He also suggested that the Commissioners look into whether or not the District can be covered by NYMIR.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:00 P.M. by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Bauer.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Fire District Secretary