CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Chairman Mark Schiller, Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Raymond Bauer, Commissioner Harry Harned and Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh.

Others present were Chief Ronald Rifenburgh, Treasurer Denise Fiore and Robert Desmond.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the 2014 Budget Hearing held on October 15, 2013 by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to accept the minutes of the October 15, 2013 regular meeting with correction on page 2 under new business regarding by-laws by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURERS REPORT:

Total amount of October invoices paid $ 27,906.29

Proposed November invoices $ 5,780.34

Paid November invoices $ 36,465.86

Total $ 42,246.20

Reconciliation of Accounts: Bank of Greene County

Money Market Checking Balance $ 94,880.04

Checking Balance $ 42,800.28

Less outstanding checks $ 36,615.58

Checking balance to date $ 6,184.60

Money Market & Checking Account total $101,064.64

Capital Reserve Fund $33,467.02

Reserve Fund Balance $29,548.22

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

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Alarm Registration from Columbia County Sheriffs Office for Station #1 to be signed by Chairman.
• RBC Account Statement for October - $299,743.93
• Fingar Insurance – Policy covering Air Tank System and Commercial Washer- additional $38.00.
• FEMA Grant Program – Assistance to Firefighters deadline of December 6^th.
• Letter from Susan Rifenburgh expressing interest in Fire Commissioner position.
• NYS Government Finance services workshop for Treasurers to be held December 6^th in Eastchester.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

• Commissioner Bauer asked if we should have the furnace serviced by Main Care Energy. Discussed asking Halterman’s if he would do the service.
• Commissioner Bauer is going to inquire about a ventilation system for Station #1, even if it is a wall exhaust fan. He is thinking about something that senses humidity and is automatic. The Chief recommended dehumidifiers.

• The washer and air fill system have been added to the insurance.

FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioners Saulpaugh and Bauer

No report.

LOSAP: Commissioners Harned and Saulpaugh

There was discussion about the LOSAP program and the Chief feels that the district has not gotten anything out of the program.

LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners

No report

OLD BUSINESS:

• Physicals: Chairman Schiller spoke with the Occupational Health office at Columbia Memorial Hospital and they do the physicals for firefighters. They do not do on site in the firehouse physicals but through their network of offices. Dr. Snied’s office in Red Hook will do a minimum of 15 people and if done at the hospital, it is done by a Physicians Assistant and then signed off by the Medical Director of the hospital. We have to notify the hospital if we are going to participate, have the firefighters contact them for an appointment. The base physical is $81.50, with EKG it is $88.50. If a DOT physical is needed they can get one. The firefighter would pay the additional for a DOT physical. Commissioner Rifenburgh asked if this meets OSHA standards. Chairman Schiller will check but believes it does. The Chief asked if there were enough members if they would reserve a Saturday for them. Chairman Schiller would rather leave it up to them to go on their own and put a time frame on it. The costs do go up 3% to 4% per year.

A motion was made to accept the hospital plan for physicals, which must be done by the members between January and June by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.

The Chief asked if the hospital plan covers a FIT test for the SCBA. Chairman Schiller believes that it does but will check. The Chief suggested everyone having a physical no matter what age.

A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried. A letter should be sent to the Company advising them of this change.

• The Chief suggested sending a letter to the company to change the combination to the door at Station #2 or put a padlock on it, which the officers would then hold the keys. It was also discussed about moving the gas tank to Station #1 and this would alleviate the need for changing the combination.

• Banquet: The Commissioners received an invoice for the banquet of $2114.98. Usually the District does pay half. After discussion, Chairman Schiller would like a motion to pay the banquet cost up to $1500.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Harned to pay and not exceed $1500.00 for the banquet, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

• Alarm Law: The Chief will check with the Livingston Chief as to how they work their town alarm law. Once the Commissioners have reviewed it, it can be brought to the Town Board.

• Treasurer Fiore reported that the FEMA grant funds were received. The Chief asked if the Commissioners want to apply for another grant this year. The Commissioners did not think so.

• Commissioner Harned asked about the requirement for the Chief to live in the district. It was explained that the District approves the Officers and members, the company only refers them to the District. Discussed the appointment of an acting chief or other officer until such time as they meet the requirements as set forth in the SOP’s. They can be appointed as temporary on a month to month basis until such time as they meet the requirements.

• A letter will be written to Firefighter Schoonmaker stated the date that he was accepted into the district and asking what his intentions are since he has not had a physical and has not attended meetings or drills.

NEW BUSINESS:

Fire Rescue Magazine did an interview with the Chief about Truck #602 and an article will be published in either the February or March issue next year.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were ten calls for October:

• 10/7/13 – Wires on tree – Buckwheat Bridge Road
• 10/8/13 – AAPI/Motorcycle – Cedar Hill Road/County Route 6
• 10/11/13 – CO2 Detector activation – County Route 6
• 10/12/13 – Alarm Activation – Station #2
• 10/13/13 – Alarm Activation – 694 Church Avenue
• 10/20/13 – AAPI Rollover – State Route 9
• 10/21/13 – AAPI Car vs. Truck – 3639 Route 9G
• 10/21/13 – Wires down/Brush Fire – 726 Woods Road
• 10/25/13 – Brush Fire – 751 County Route 6
• 10/26/13 – Brush/Tractor fire – 670 Woods Road

Monthly drill included OSHA training, running pumps, training with hand lines, generators and lights. – 14 firefighters attended.

PURCHASES:

• The Chief would like to purchase a windshield cutter, which will cut through windows in less than one minute. They are fast and battery operated, the cost is about $699.00.

• Other purchases include Two lengths of 100 feet of 2 ½ inch hose and a new helmet for the past Chief.

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

• Purchases made with the funds received from the Hover Grant were new nozzles, monitor for truck #604, 300 feet of forestry hose, two rakes and an adapter. The forestry hose is very light and will be on truck #602. When all the invoices are received they will be copied to the Hover Foundation with a letter of thanks.

• The Chief reported that the radio cannot be heard at Station #1 and he thinks we need to put up an outside antenna or put in a base radio with a microphone and an antenna. He will get a price from Motorola.

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

A motion was made to pay the bills by Commissioner Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Saulpaugh. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:40 P.M. by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Rifenburgh. All in favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Fire District Secretary