FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING

 

JANUARY 9, 2007

 

 

The Commissioners of the Clermont Fire District held their organizational and regular meeting on Monday, January 9, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall.  Those present were Supervisor William Banks, Ronald Rifenburgh, Charles Larsen, Harry Harned, Brandon Seymour, Raymond Bauer, Ronald Seymour, Tom McCarthy, Larry Saulpaugh, Denise Fiore and Greg Fingar.

 

Supervisor Banks called the organizational meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with a salute to the flag.

 

Newly elected fire commissioners were sworn in.  They are Ronald Rifenburgh, five year term, Harry Harned, four year term, Brandon Seymour, three year term, Charles Larsen, two year term.

 

Supervisor Banks reported on the finances, fire truck and insurance.  There is a Capital projects CD, which matures on 1/12/07 with a balance of $24,761.10 and the Fire District CD, which matures on 1/10/07 with a balance of $26,978.07.  Supervisor Banks recommends keeping $25,000-$30,000 in the Capital fund for unexpected expenses.  There is $25,000 in the budget for capital projects for 2007.   On the purchase of the truck, $133,950 has been paid.  He also presented maps and papers for the purchase of the land for Station #1 from Karl Hettling Jr. on October 30, 1979 for $3000.  Reported that the insurance proposal from Fingar Insurance for the fire district is $10,396.05, last year it was $10,348.05 and is in effect 12/31/06 at 12:00 A.M.

 

Resolution #1-07 - Appointment of Chairman 

Commissioner Larsen nominated Ronald Rifenburgh, seconded by Commissioner Harned.   All in favor. So carried.

 

Resolution #2-07 - Appointment for One Year Term

As there was a tie in the election for Fire Commissioners for the one-year term between Bruce Unson and Raymond Bauer it is necessary to appoint to that position.  However, Bruce Unson has submitted a letter that he cannot hold the position, and is therefore, withdrawing from consideration.  Raymond Bauer was appointed and sworn in to hold the term for one year. 

 

Resolution #3-07 - Appointment of Vice Chairman  

Commissioner Larsen nominated Harry Harned, seconded by Commissioner Ray Bauer.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Resolution #4-07 - Appointment of Secretary

Motion made by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Larsen to appoint Mary Helen Shannon.  All in favor.  So carried.

PAGE 2                       FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING           JANUARY 9, 2007

 

Resolution #5-07 - Appointment of Treasurer

Motion made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Seymour to appoint Denise Fiore.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Salaries for these positions will be discussed in new business.

An attorney is also needed, Commissioner Harned will talk to the town’s attorney, Andrew Howard and Robert Fitzsimmons to see if they are interested and check on fees.

 

Resolution #6-07 - Official Newspaper

A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to name the Register Star as the official newspaper.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Resolution #7-07 - Official Bank

A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Harned to name First Niagara as of the official bank.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Resolution #8-07 - Committee Appointments

            Buildings and Grounds - Charles Larsen, Brandon Seymour

            Insurance - Charles Larsen, Raymond Bauer

            Laws and Policy - All Commissioners

            Fire Equipment - Brandon Seymour, Ray Bauer

            Legal - All Commissioners

            LOSAP - Harry Harned, Ronald Rifenburgh

 

Resolution #9-07 -

A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to allow the Treasurer to prepay utility bills, such as electric, fuel oil, telephone, cell phones.

All in favor.  So carried.

 

Resolution #10-07 - Date, Location and Time of Meetings

A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Harned to designate the Third (3rd) Monday of the month at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall starting on Monday, February 19 as the regular meeting of the Clermont Fire District Commissioners.   All in favor.  So carried.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen to adjourn the organizational meeting at 7:30 P.M.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE 3                       FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING            JANUARY 9, 2007

 

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Rifenburgh.  A discussion was held with Greg Fingar regarding the insurance policy for the Clermont Fire District.  A change will be made so that Station #1 is now covered on the Fire District Policy, as the Fire District owns it, and it was previously on the Town’s policy.

 

The district’s equipment is covered no matter where it is, and there is no limit on coverage of equipment. 

A $200,000.00 bond to cover the treasurer costs $100.00 per year.  The blanket coverage on all other members can range from $25,000 - $50,000.  The replacement costs on the trucks was discussed and agreed that the limits of liability did not seem correct.  The insurance company will do an inventory. 

 

Discussed accident coverage - over and above workers compensation.  This policy covers accidental death, hospital confinement and includes the ladies auxiliary, who are not covered by firefighter liability.  Should check policy of Fire Company to see what it carries on the ladies auxiliary.

 

Discussed Dividend Insurance plan, which is a policy which runs from March 1 to March 1 and which most fire districts carry.  You pay 10% more but are guaranteed to get a dividend up to 30% the next year.  For a policy, which costs $11,600, you get a refund of $2,421, so the net cost is $9,221.  Payments are quarterly and if the decision is to go with the dividend plan, prorated premium will be returned on current policy.  We are covered now by the current policy but the bill has not yet been paid. 

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the December 4th and 28th meetings.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

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

 

Chief Laurence Saulpaugh gave the Chief’s report as follows:

1.      Mutual aid to Germantown on 12/5

2.      Possible electrical fire at St. Lukes Church - 12/16

3.      CO2 Detector

4.      Brush fire, controlled burn on Route 9G

5.      Alarm activation, burning food - 12/31

34.41 man hours for the month

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE 4                       FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING            JANUARY 9, 2007

 

The calls for 2006 were as follows with the comparison to 2005:

·        MVA                                 11                                10

·        Alarm Activation’s  10                                15

·        Structure Fires                    8                                 2

·        Misc. Brush, etc.                25                                28

·        Assist w/ NDP                   5                                 3

·        Mutual Aid             9                                 8

There were a total of 68 calls for 2006.

 

Discussed alarm activation’s, that occurred mostly at Devereaux on Pleasantvale Road.  This issue has been addressed with the supervisor at Devereaux.

Truck #604 at Station #1 has had the pump and engine serviced.

The furnace has been replaced at Station #1 and the bays are almost complete at Station #2.  New line officers have been appointed for the year. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

·        Discussed Volunteer Fire Insurance Service, Linda Flanigan has shown an interest in giving a quote on insurance. Commissioner Rifenburgh asked if we want to stay with Fingar and look into insurance next fall.  Commissioner Larsen will contact Ms. Flanigan and get a quote and decide if a workshop meeting is needed based on the quote. 

·        A motion was made to add a treasurers bond in the amount of $200,000.00 by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Larsen.  All in favor.  So carried.

·        A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Harned for Charlie and Ray to talk to Ms. Flanigan at VFIS and get a quote.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Chairman Rifenburgh asked if the board wanted to set a limit on what the Chief can spend with the board’s approval, usually $100-$200 for incidentals.  Purchases of equipment, turnout gear, etc must come before the board.

A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Seymour that the Chief has the authority to purchase up to $200.00 per month without coming to the board.  Emergency requests need the approval of three board members.  Annual service must be done.

 

Chairman Rifenburgh would like an inventory of all equipment for insurance purposes, serial numbers on major equipment if available in two or three months.

 

The officers of the Fire Company are:

            Chief -  Laurence Saulpaugh

            First Assistant Chief - James C. Potts, Jr.

            Second Assistant Chief - Ronald Seymour

            Captain - Thomas McCarthy

            First Lt.- Brandon Seymour

            Second Lt. Teddy Blank

 

PAGE 5                       FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING            JANUARY 9, 2007

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned to accept the officers for 2007.  All in favor.  So carried.

Qualifications for each position will be done later in the year.

 

It is necessary to set the salaries for the Treasurer and Secretary.  Germantown pays $1950 per year for each.  Chairman Rifenburgh proposed $1700 each, next year more or less.  A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer that the salaries be $1800.00 each.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Discussed method of payment of invoices.  The invoice must have a signed receipt attached.  Commissioner Harned made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Larsen that all invoices must have a signed receipt attached.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

A motion was made that the lease for the use of the bays at Station #2 be prepaid by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

All fire district business will be filed in a file cabinet in the Town Hall and Commissioner Seymour and Commissioner Larsen will get keys made or new locks.  A motion was made by Commissioner Harned, seconded by Commissioner Bauer.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

The treasurer and secretary will need postage, envelopes and checks.

 

Chairman Rifenburgh asked if one or two signatures will be required on checks?  It was agreed that one signature is sufficient.

 

We can wait until next month on the treasurers bond.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer that Ron Seymour be reimbursed for taking things to the dump from Station #1.  Itemize what is thrown away and it can be declared junk.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

The bills to be paid this month:

            Lease for January 2007                        $  2000.00

            Fingar Insurance                                   $10,396.13

            Sausbiers                                              $       35.50

            Software Firehouse                               $     625.00

            Germantown Telephone                        $       22.60

                                                                        $       22.60

                                                                        $       26.72

                                                                        $       26.72

                                                                        $       22.74

Comtech Electronics, radio repairs        $      156.60

 

PAGE 6                       FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING            JANUARY 9, 2007

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Bauer to pay the bills for January.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Larsen, seconded by Commissioner Harned at 9:35 P.M.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mary Helen Shannon

Fire District Secretary