CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS

FEBRUARY 17, 2014

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Chairman Mark Schiller, Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh and Commissioner Raymond Bauer. Also present was Chief Fred Gooderham, Treasurer Denise Fiore, Greg Fingar, Peter Fingar of Fingar Insurance, Robert Desmond and Evan Hempel.

Chairman Schiller introduced Greg and Peter Fingar of Fingar Insurance to go over the renewal policy for the Clermont Fire District, Clermont Fire Company and Clermont Ladies Auxiliary for 2014 –2015 with Utica National. The Limits of Liability increases by 4% from $1,419,069 to $1,475,832 on blanket buildings and contents at all locations. The deductible is $500.00 on buildings and contents. The auto liability limits total $4,000,000.00. There is a $500.00 deductible on all equipment which could be increased and Peter will give Mark a quote. The blanket coverage on all members is $50,000 and the Treasurer is $200,000. The total premium increase from last year is $210.00 from $10,973 to $11,183. This will be apportioned between the fire district and Fire Company. The Commissioners thanked the Fingars for coming in.

MINUTES: A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2014 organizational meeting. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2014 regular meeting. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve the minutes of the January 31, 2014 special meeting. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURERS REPORT:

Total amount of January 2014 invoices paid $ 4,258.40

Proposed February invoices $13,739.51 *

Paid February invoices $ 2,142.64

Total $15,882.15 *

* Adjusted amounts

Reconciliation of Accounts:

The Bank of Greene County Balances to Date

Money Market Checking Balance $ 80,391.13

Plus Deposit 2/12/14 $154,865.00

Checking Balance $ 1,732.21

Plus Deposit 2/12/14 $ 2,000.00

Less Outstanding Checks $ 2,695.64

Checking Balance to Date $ 1,036.57

Money Market and Checking Account Total $236,292.70

Capital Reserve Fund $ 33,471.35

Reserve Fund Balance $ 29,552.03

COMMUNICATIONS:

• RBC Wealth Management Statement for January, 2014 - $291,588.96
• RBC Wealth Management Annual Statement for 2013 - $297,338.52
• Association of Fire Districts requesting official mailing addresses for Commissioners, Secretary, Treasurer and Attorney. Secretary has prepared and will send.
• Secretary notified Livingston and Milan Board of Fire Commissioners of Clermont Commissioners and Officers for 2014.
• Secretary has delivered a copy of the Proposed Livingston Fire Alarm Law to our attorney for his review.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:

• Commissioner Bauer got a price from Culligan for a water softener for Station #1. A rental would cost $39.95 per month plus an installation fee of $285.00. Total rental cost would be $479.40 for the year. There is also a charge of $12.95 per month for the filter. Chairman Schiller asked if Culligan sells pumps. Commissioner Bauer will check with D&S Plumbing Supply. The Commissioners would rather purchase a system rather than pay for a rental. Commissioner Bauer would like to see a filter installed, and Chairman Schiller said this would also help with the trucks because the filter eliminates iron.
• Commissioner Bauer is also still checking on a dehumidifier. The model he wanted is out of stock at this time.

INSURANCE:

No report.

FIRE EQUIPMENT:

• Trucks should be serviced in March or April. There was discussion on VRS doing the oil change and checking the pumps. They will come down to do the servicing. The van can be sent to Joe Palumbo for servicing.

LOSAP:

• Chairman Schiller needs the work detail sheets to complete the LOSAP forms. The Treasurer believes she may have these.

LAWS AND POLICIES:

No Report.

OLD BUSINESS:

• The door combination has been changed at Station #2.

• The Town Attorney has not gotten back to Mark on the alarm law. The Chief contacted a Chief in Ulster County but he did not get back to him yet.
• Generator for Station #1: Commissioner Saulpaugh talked to Bobby Moore and he will get a price for what is needed for Station #1.

NEW BUSINESS:

• There was a complaint about the lights on the sign at Station #1 that they caused too much glare. The Chief will ask the Building Inspector to check them and see if they are in compliance with zoning. They currently are on a dusk to dawn sensor. After discussion about the lights on the new sign in front of Station #1, it was decided to purchase a timer for the sign lights and set it to go off at 10:00 P.M. A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Rifenburgh to purchase a time and set it to go off at 10:00 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
• The Chief reported that six firefighters are delinquent on their OSHA training for last year. They have been notified that there is training in Red Hook and Greenport on the same day and if they do not take the class they will be considered inactive. One member refused to take any OSHA tests and will continue to drive until the Commissioners send a letter. Red Hook will hold another class in March. If they can attend this will be considered for last year and they will still need to take care of this year. Anyone with less than eight drills does not qualify for OSHA points for the year. Letters will be sent out to those members.
• The Chief reported on a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant with covers smoke alarms, sprinkler awareness, firefighter safety, bailout systems, etc. The open period is from February 18^th to March 21, 2014.
• MES is coming down to meet with the Chief about bailout systems. He is looking at ones that attach to the pack so it will cut down the cost because not every member will need one.

Chiefs report:

There were five calls for January as follows:

1/4/14 – CO/ Fire Alarm activation – Moore Road

1/8/14 – Lifting assistance to NDP – Route 9

1/23/14 – Water emergency with partial ceiling collapse – Cedar Hill Road

1/25/14 – Minor AAPI – Route 9

1/25/14 – Mutual Aid to Tivoli

The monthly drill was held on 1/27/14 with l hour OSHA, Air pack drills and drivers training – 17 firefighters attended.

On 1/14/14 and 1/16/14 the Clermont Fire Company hosted the Electric Vehicle Safety Class and 7 members attended.

The Chief met with Motorola and Columbia County 911 to do an assessment on installation of high band radios in the apparatus. The base station radio installed at Station #1 is not on the inventory done last year and would not be covered by the County. We would have to purchase a base station with high band to replace it when going to high band.

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

The Treasurer added an invoice to Columbia Memorial Hospital for a physical for $93.00, which was just received. The new proposed invoices total for February is $13,739.51, and total paid is $15,882.15.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Bob Desmond asked how prices from VRS compare to Ralph’s Auto for servicing.

It is believed that they are less.

There was discussion on the alarm law and what the mechanism for enforcement is. The Chief can issue citations and notices. Commissioner Rifenburgh thinks that if we just need to develop a law dealing with what we want, which is false alarms and nuisance alarms. It isn’t necessary to have all that Livingston has in their law. This will be discussed once we hear from our attorney.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Fire District Secretary