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Home My WebLink About2023-02-28 Fire District Meeting Minutes (preliminary) PRELIMINARY MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING February 28, 2023 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 7:134 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Katherine Anderson Kevin Faehndrich Joe Freedman (Absent) Charlotte Griggs Wayne Westmiller Bonnie Hart, Treasurer Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief (Absent) PUBLIC: NONE Minutes: Preliminary Minutes for February 14, 2023 Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on February 27, 2023 for posting to the Town’s website. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2023 Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Treasurer’s Report: • Tax levy was received from the Town and deposited. • Transfers were made into Capital Reserve Accounts Commissioner Westmiller moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 2-B Claims 40-46 in the total amount of $4,115.92. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. APPROVALS: Communications: • Email AFDSNY February and March Fire District Affairs • Email NYS Archives webinar on March 8th. • Email AFDSNY Coffee with the Commissioners for March • Email PERMA annual conference • Email AFDSNY Commissioner Training via webinar March 13th and 15th (forwarded to Com. Faehnrich and Com. Griggs) • Ithaca Journal Affidavit of Publication for Regular Meeting dates and times • Ithaca Journal Affidavit of Publication for Public Hearing to be held on February 28th • Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP PFAS in FireFighter Gear regarding legal action against chemical companies, etc. • Upstate Medical University, 22nd annual contemporary issues in emergency medicine 03/29/23 • Town of Danby Septic Disposal & Water Supply Survey • March Danby Town News Privilege of the Floor: NONE CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: NONE DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Spoke to a community member who is willing to have a dry hydrant placed on her land, we would need to supply materials • Getting additional quotes for installation of security cameras in and around the fire station COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller reported the roof at the Danby station was leaking again. Hale Roofing came and fixed it again. • Commissioner Westmiller reported he is seeking quotes for the repair or replacement of the circular pump in the Danby apparatus bay. • Commissioner Westmiller reported we will be publishing a request for proposals for the heating system in the West Danby apparatus bay. GRANTS: • Commissioner Anderson reported the AFG 2023 grant has been submitted. Discussion held on everyone emailing her ideas and prices for future grants INSURANCE: • Chiefs were given new insurance cards to be put in apparatus TECH: NONE TRUCKS: • Chief Gaden will be seeking quotes for replacement tires on 401 TOWN BOARD: NONE RECORDS: • LENS Report received and discussed. • Physicals for all active members is set for June 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. POLICY: NONE MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: NONE LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE AUDIT: • Treasurer Hart reported it is being worked on and the AUD will be submitted tomorrow BUDGET: NONE OLD BUSINESS: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to adopt Resolution 2023-02-28.1 adopting the proposed Partial Real Property Tax Exemption for qualifying volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance service workers. Commissioner Anderson seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Commissioner Anderson: Aye; Commissioner Faehndrich: Aye; Commissioner Freedman: Absent; Commissioner Griggs: Aye and Commissioner Westmiller: Aye NEW BUSINESS: NONE Next Meeting date and time: • 03/14/23 regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary DANBY FIRE DISTRICT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING PARTIAL REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICE WORKERS Resolution No.2023-02-28.1 The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Danby Fire District (“Fire District”) at a Meeting held on the 28th day of February 2023, adopted the following resolutions by majority vote: WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 670 of the Laws of 2022 effective December 9, 2022, the state Real Property Tax Law was amended by adding a new §466-a authorizing local governments, including Fire Districts, to enact by resolution a ten (10%) percent partial real property tax exemption of the assessed value of the primary residence owned by a qualified enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated volunteer ambulance service that serves the city, town or village where the Fire District is located; and WHEREAS, the intent of this Resolution is to permit the partial real property tax exemption for qualified enrolled members of said emergency services organizations for real property taxes imposed by the Fire District; and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was conducted by the Fire District, on February 28th, 2023, after providing the statutorily required notice, to solicit input and to hear all persons interested in the partial real property tax exemption of the assessed value of the primary residence owned by a qualified enrolled member of said emergency service organizations that serve the Fire District. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the primary residential real property located in the Fire District that is owned by an enrolled member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service that provides services within the city, town or village in which the Fire District is located shall be exempt from taxation and assessments levied by the Fire District to the extent of ten percent (10%) of the assessed value of such property, exclusive of special assessments, subject to the requirements set forth in this herein; and it is further BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that for purposes of this Resolution the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” shall mean, in the case of a fire district, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Fire District; and it is further RESOLVED, that such exemption shall not be granted unless: A. The applicant resides in the Fire District which is served by the above listed incorporated volunteer fire company, volunteer fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service of which the applicant is a qualified enrolled member; B. the property is the primary residence of the applicant; C. the property is used exclusively for residential purposes; provided, however, that if any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant’s residence but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this Resolution; D. the applicant has been certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance service as an enrolled member who has served such incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance service for at least two years; and E. the applicant must submit such certification together with the tax exemption application to the local assessor; and it is further RESOLVED, that any enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service who accrues more than twenty years of active service, and is so certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service, shall be granted the ten percent (10%) exemption authorized by this Resolution for the remainder of his or her life as long as his or her primary residence is located within the Fire District, and it is further RESOLVED, that the property tax exemption authorized by this Resolution and granted to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or incorporated voluntary ambulance service shall, upon application, be continued to such deceased enrolled member’s un-remarried spouse if such member is killed in the line of duty, provided that: A. Such un-remarried spouse is certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or incorporated voluntary ambulance service as an un-remarried spouse of such enrolled member who was killed in the line of duty; B. such deceased volunteer had been an enrolled member for at least five (5) years; and C. such deceased volunteer had been receiving the exemption prior to his or her death, and it is further RESOLVED, that the property tax exemption authorized by this Resolution and granted to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or incorporated voluntary ambulance service shall, upon application, be continued to such deceased enrolled member’s un-remarried spouse, provided that: A. Such un-remarried spouse is certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or incorporated voluntary ambulance service as an un-remarried spouse of such enrolled member; B. such deceased volunteer had been an enrolled member for at least twenty (20) years; and C. such deceased volunteer and un-remarried spouse had been receiving the exemption for such property prior to the death of such volunteer; and it is further RESOLVED, that an application form for such exemption and a certification provided by the appropriate authority having jurisdiction shall be filed with the Assessor for the Town on or before the taxable status date of each year or as otherwise required as prescribed by New York State, and it is further RESOLVED, that no applicant who is a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker who by reason of such status is receiving any benefit under the provisions of Article 4 of the state Real Property Tax Law on the effective date of this Resolution shall suffer any diminution of such benefit because of the provisions of this Resolution; and it is further RESOLVED, that these Resolutions shall take effect immediately. Commissioner Faehndrich moved, Commissioner Anderson seconded, and the Board of Fire Commissioners voted as follows: Name: Voting: Aye or Nay: Chairman Westmiller Aye Commissioner Anderson Aye Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Absent Commissioner Griggs Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners. February 28, 2023 ____________________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District