HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2012-02-14BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 14, 2012
MINUTES
Present: Commissioners Gilligan, Hoard and Ellsworth and Liaison Clairborne
I. Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1803 hrs.
II. Approval of Minutes.
A motion to approve the January minutes was made by Comm. Hoard.
Seconded by Comm. Ellsworth. Voted unanimously.
III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda:
Under New Business:
Resignation of Commissioner Maureen Kelly
IV. Persons wishing to speak to the Board:
None
V. Correspondence:
Notice from NYSFA of candidate information
Notice from the Veteran Fire Fighters of Oneida offering advertising space
for a function they are sponsoring. We do not participate in that.
Fire training seminar — No action
2% Report from Company #1
2% Report and list of officers from Company #7
Bank statement from Tompkins Trust Company Donation account showed a
beginning balance of $737.82. A check was written in the amount of $111.44
to cover refreshments for the swearing in of the new Fire Chief. The ending
balance is $636.38.
3 donations were received:
$100 cash
$1000 from MPL, Inc. (gratitude for IFD responding to a fire on
12/13/11.
$400 from NYSEG
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 14, 2012
PAGE 2
IFD plans to use the donations to support the Fire Police and purchase needed
equipment.
Comm. Hoard made a motion to approve the use of the $1,500 donated funds by
the Fire Police to purchase equipment. Seconded by Comm. Ellsworth. Voted
unanimously.
VI. Membership Changes:
Scott Gingras' application for volunteer membership in the Ithaca Fire
Department as a Class II volunteer (Fire Ground Support) was approved by the
Board, conditional upon him passing the required medical exam and background
check. He will be a member of Company 1.
VII. Miscellaneous Reports:
Town — Report is attached
City — Report is attached
Audit — Will be complete after meeting
VIII. Department Reports:
A. Fire Chief Reports: (see complete written report in the Minute Book). Chief Tom
Parsons offered highlights from his report and answered questions as follows:
Staffing:
FF Brian Weinstein has been promoted to Temporary Lieutenant on C Shift
3 fire fighter candidates have been offered positions. Their offers are contingent
on passing their physicals. As of this date, the results of their physicals have not
been received.
Budget:
A112011 invoices have been submitted for payment.
The Department came in about $94,000 under budget for 2011.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 14, 2012
PAGE 3
Chief Parsons met with the Mayor. It appears that property owners are under
stress due to the increase in taxes. In 2013 a $350,000 cut in IFD funds will need
to be absorbed. This will most likely mean staff reductions.
Pension cost is a significant cost. Currently it is at 25 %. 2014 should be 28 %.
Safer Grants:
Application has to be in by next week.
Fire Prevention:
Inspections are down due to the shortage in staff. When the fire fighter who is on
family returns in March, we will have a total of 3 inspectors.
B. Fire Police:
Davie Cornelius reported that the Fire Police Unit held a CPR Certification class
on January 17th. The instructor was Lt. Tom Basher and FF John Powers. All
currently active members attended and completed the course. Ray Canzler
ordered 12 sets of five collapsible traffic cones and eight STOP /SLOW metal
signs. These items will be numbered and an inventory will be kept to track who
has what equipment. The cost of these items was covered by the pledges from the
volunteer companies and the Veteran Volunteer Fireman's Association.
IX. Old Business
Role of the Board of Fire Commissioners:
Postpone conversation until more details are available.
Process for accepting volunteers in the Ithaca Fire Department:
Chief Parsons stated that the very least, we need to gather lists with member
names, addresses and phone numbers. Chair Gilligan said that he will send out a
letter from the BOFC to all of the Volunteer Companies asking them for the
names, addresses and phone numbers of their members.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 14, 2012
PAGE 4
Chief Parsons stated that we need to get a better handle on the Volunteer
Companies. He also asked how many companies we need. If Companies are
dissolved, he is looking to maintain the legacy of the Companies.
Resource Recovery:
It would be best to have a meeting outside of the BOFC to discuss Resource
Recovery and the Budget. It would be ideal if the Mayor would be able to attend
the meeting. It would be a public meeting and should be scheduled the first week
of March.
X. New Business:
Chair Gilligan asked if the next BOFC meeting (March 13, 2012) could be moved
to 4:00 p.m. Chief Parsons said it was fine but that the change will need to be
posted publicly.
Commissioner Maureen Kelly's resignation came via email. The BOFC would
like to draft a thank you letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners. Comm.
Hoard made a motion to approve. Seconded by Comm. Ellsworth. Voted
unanimously
XI. Executive Session:
At 1919 hrs. the BOFC went into an Executive Session regarding a personnel
item. The Executive Session ended at 1940 hrs. No action was required.
Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1941 hrs.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy L. Flynn, Clerk
Board of Fire Commissioners
(Minutes will be reviewed at the March 13, 2012 meeting)