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Home My WebLink About25-01-21 Fire District Minutes (Preliminary) PRELIMINARY DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING January 21, 2025 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Katherine Anderson (Absent) Kevin Faehndrich Joseph Freedman Charlotte Griggs Wayne Westmiller Bonnie Hart, Treasurer Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief (Absent) Derek Dougherty, Danby 1st Lieutenant Ivan Ross, Danby 2nd Lieutenant PUBLIC: Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Privilege of the Floor: Derek Dougherty and Ivan Ross asked if the Commissioners would consider amending the District’s Training Policy to allow them to apply for the Volunteer Firefighter’s Stipend after they receive their certificate of completion for Fire Officer I, not have to wait six months as the funds may be depleted. POLICY: • Discussion held on Training policy and how long the Volunteer Stipend is likely to be available. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to amend the District’s Training and Conference Request and Funding Policy, Section 1 to reflect a change to the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Stipend Program (copy of amended area is attached). Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. 4 yes 0 no Motion carried. Minutes: Preliminary minutes for January 7, 2025 Organizational Meeting and January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on January 20, 2025 for posting to Town’s website and were also posted on the District Website. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2025 Organizational Meeting and January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Treasurer’s Report: • CD at Chemung Canal Trust company is up for renewal on January 25, 2025. Currently at 4.91% for 9 months. Brief discussion held. Treasurer Hart will verify new rate. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to roll over current CD of $13,433.17 with Chemung Canal Trust Company for another 9 months if verified rate is competitive. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Freedman moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 1-B $9,172.50 claims 12- 25. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: (Chief McCray) NONE DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • 3 new members voted in at Fire Company’s business meeting on January 13, 2025: Vardan Khachatryan, Erica Marx and Mark Watson • V. Khachatryan will not be enrolling in BEFO training course in Tioga County as it has no availability. • M. Watson would like to take Cortland County Blended Learning Bootcamp. Starts January 23, 2025, registration is $50.00, and he will try to carpool with B. Peluso as much as possible. • Turn-out gear needs to be ordered, had 5 sets on proposed equipment list but needs 6. • 20 new gear lockers are being purchased by the Fire Company at a cost of approximately $,7000.00. Once received the Fire Company will turn them over to the Fire District. • Dishwasher was repaired, minor issue. Commissioner Faenhdrich made a motion to approve Vardan Khachatryan, Erica Marx and Mark Watson as new members pending receipt of a cleared firefighter’s medical examination. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller reported Sparks Electric will be coming to look at Danby Station to give a quote for installing LED lights. • Chief Gaden reported the outside front entrance light is not working again. GRANTS: NONE INSURANCE: • Commissioner Freedman reported liability insurance is up for renewal on March 1, 2025. The Insurance Committee have scheduled a meeting for January 27, 2025 to discuss coverage. • Life insurance is up for renewal on April 1, 2025 • Brief discussion on cancer insurance for exterior firefighters. Secretary will provide a list of eligible members. TECH: NONE TRUCKS: NONE TOWN BOARD: • Commissioner Freedman reported an article was sent to the Danby News and Danby Town News to explain the mistake on the 2025 Town and County tax bills to the community. RECORDS: • Brief discussion held on if we were to lose permanent records what would happen. • Secretary reported Notice of Meetings was sent to the Ithaca Journal, Danby News and Danby Town News. MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Secretary is working with McNeil Insurance to get link to OSHA training out to commissioners and members who not able to attend the mandatory training. LONG RANGE PLAN: • Has been sent to auditors AUDIT: • Is in process. BUDGET: NONE OLD BUSINESS: • Tompkins County Board of Election Contract Commissioner Westmiller moved to accept 4-year contract with the condition the Building Usage/Cleaning Policy is attached and noted on the contract. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. NEW BUSINESS: NONE APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Freedman moved to approve Carys Owen, Karim Kassam and Erica Marx to take EMT training class through Upstate Medical to be held in Tompkins County, beginning January 27th pending all have received cleared firefighter’s physical examinations. Approved to pay $1,835.00 per member for tuition and fees. The members and mutual aid member Tristan Tucker are strongly encouraged to carpool, mileage reimbursement may be requested and will be reviewed after successfully completing course. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve Mark Watson to take Cortland County Blended Learning training in Cortland County, beginning January 23, 2025. Approved $50.00 registration fee. Member is strongly encouraged to carpool with member B. Peluso, mileage reimbursement may be requested and will be reviewed after successfully completing course. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the purchase of 5 IFSTA Firefighting Essential Books from Amazon. Requested by Chief Gaden. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the purchase of firefighting gloves from First Out in the amount of $1,376.71. Requested by Chief Gaden. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the purchase under state contract of 9 sets of interior turn-out gear at $4,200.00 per set and 1 set of exterior turn-out gear at $3,000.00 per set plus shipping and handling through Fire End & Crocker Corporatoin. Requested by Chief Gaden and Chief McCray. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve up to $100.00 for signage for the apparatus bay at the Danby Station from Admiral Specialty Vehicles. Requested by Chief Gaden. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve up to $300.00 for books, shirts, training essentials for the 2 members enrolling in the Cortland County Blended Learning training class, to be paid at the successful completion of training. Requested by Chief Gaden. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve 3 members to have firefighter medical examinations through Guthrie Medical at the cost of $137.00 per exam. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve reimbursement to member Braedon Peluso in the amount of $16.00 for filter and oil for portable pump. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve payment of $32.50 to Computer Room for tech support for Treasurer and Secretary computer files. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve up to $135.00 for office supplies from Staples. Requested by Chief Gaden. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Next Meeting date and time: • 01/28/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting cancelled • 02/11/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary