The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About25-02-11 Fire District Minutes (preliminary) PRELIMINARY DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING February 11, 2025 Commissioner Freedman called the regular meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Katherine Anderson (late) Kevin Faehndrich Joseph Freedman Charlotte Griggs Wayne Westmiller (late) Bonnie Hart, Treasurer Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief (Absent) Ken VanEtten, WD 1s5 Asst. Chief PUBLIC: None Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: Preliminary minutes for January 21, 2025, Special Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on February 3, 2025, for posting to Town’s website and were also posted on the District Website. Commissioner Griggs moved to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2025, Special Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Com. Westmiller came in and Com. Freedman turned the meeting over to Com. Westmiller. Treasurer’s Report: • Bank statements reconciled for January and February • Emailed Financial Reports to Commissioners/Secretary/Chiefs o Balance Sheet o Profit and Loss o Equipment (100/200) o Fuel • CD Renewed 6 months @ 4.25% at Chemung Canal Trust Company • Insurance - Save $850 if deductible $2500.00 • Meeting with auditor -Phone 2/4/25 • Both Fire Companies have filed the 990-N and forwarded proof to District. • Reimbursement check for EMS class tuition for 4 members was received from NYS, this is the second check. Working to get it straightened out. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMUNICATIONS: • Email from PERMA – Safety Tip Tuesday • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – Bugle Association News • Email from AFDSNY 2025 Mini Summit White Plaines – March 27 through March 29th • Email from PERMA – Annual Conference May 15th and 16th • Email from AFDSNY Fire District Affairs for February/March • Danby News March (email to fix time of meetings) • Danby Town News March (email to fix time of meetings) • Email from NYS Archives Local Government Newsletter • Email from PERMA monthly newsletter • Email from AFDSNY 2025 Edward “Ned” Carter Scholarship Privilege of the Floor: NONE CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: (1st Chief VanEtten) • No written report for January was received • 1 new member: Nicholas Swick • 3 members who want to take Battery Emergencies and Electrical Storage Systems at Newfield Fire Company on March 5, 2025, at no cost: N. Dyson-Hudson, D. Gentile, and Sh. Wendt • Looking to get a shed/garage to house 1442 and UTV. Put new rescue 1443 in station. Discussion held, there may be a shed/garage built but not big enough to for a vehicle. (Tabled for further discussion later). • Chief McCray talked to Admiral about 1443 and it will be next for completion of work. • Flagpole – would like to get a new one. Discussion held. Will need to get quotes Commissioner Westmiller moved to accept Nicholas Swick as a new member pending completion of a satisfactory physical. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept training request for N. Dyson-Hudson, D. Gentile and Sh. Wendt pending receipt of training form. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for January was received. • 3 prospective members are submitting paperwork. • Station usage: 03/01/25 birthday party for A. Carlisle; 03/02/25 family party for J. Freedman; 08/16/25 wedding P. Wegner • Training requests: o Water Rescue – Awareness Level at Lodi Fire Department on February 25, 2025, Seneca County. No cost: D. Dougherty, I. Ross and S. Wyatt. Will carpool with D. Dougherty (reimbursement for mileage of $42.00) or take 442. o Battery Emergencies and Electrical Storage Systems at Newfield Fire Company on March 5, 2025, at no cost: Br. Bowman, D. Dougherty, I. Ross and S. Wyatt. Will carpool with D. Dougherty (reimbursement for mileage of $12.60) or take 442. o Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Awareness at Horseheads Fire Department on March 11, 2025, at no cost: D. Dougherty and S. Wyatt. Will carpool with D. Dougherty (reimbursement for mileage of $42.00) or take 442. • Kitchen hoods at both stations were inspected. • Fire Department received and installed gear lockers • Circular pump was replaced on boiler • Received 5 IFTSA books • County received grant for the departments that aided at the East Shore Fire, they are looking into purchasing portable radios for each department, should know in March. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept requests for station usage from: A. Carlisle on 03/01/25 for birthday party; J. Freedman on 03/02/25 for family party and P. Wegner on 08/16/25 for a wedding. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept training requests as follows: 1) 02/25/25 Water Rescue in Seneca County for D. Dougherty, I. Ross and S. Wyatt with reimbursement of mileage up to $42.00 (carpool) if they do not take 442. 2) 03/05/25 Battery Emergencies and electrical Storage Systems in Newfield for Br. Bowman, D. Dougherty, I. Ross and S. Wyatt with reimbursement of mileage up to $12.60 (carpool) if they do not take 442. 3) 03/11/25 Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Awareness in Chemung County for D. Dougherty and S. Wyatt with reimbursement of mileage up to $42.00 (carpool) if they do not take 442. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Anderson came in COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Chief Gaden reported the district will be getting a bill to repair the dishwasher, it was not covered under warranty. • 1st Asst Chief VanEtten asked if the district could install stainless steel back splash by stove and deep fryer. Discussion held. Chief VanEtten asked to obtain quotes and reminded work would be done a prevailing wage • Chief Gaden asked if the district would look at re-wiring 2 thermostats and 1 outlet in the new apparatus bay, new gear locker #9 can’t be used because of their location. Was asked to get quotes. • Commissioner Westmiller spoke to Jason Demarest about the scope of work still needing to be done at West Danby (floors) and concrete work at both stations. He will work to get a spec package drafted. • Commissioner Westmiller reminded everyone still looking to replace the furnace at Danby and hiring a general contractor to take on some of these duties in overseeing the work being done. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 2-A $12,288.97 claims 26-41. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. GRANTS: • Commissioner Anderson reported she will be working on drafting an application for another grant and would like Chiefs to put thought into what it could be used for. $10,000 to $15,000 • Trying to get information on the Hinchey grant to confirm we did not receive it. • Will not be running for another term. INSURANCE: • Commissioner Freedman discussed adding the 7 qualified exterior active firefighters to cancer insurance. $180.00 per member. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to purchase cancer insurance at $180.00 per member for the 7 qualified exterior active firefighters. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. • Commissioner Freedman reported the insurance committee met with representative from Bailey Agency to discuss coverage. Discussion Followed. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to change deductible from $1,000.00 to $2,500.00 for liability insurance. Motion seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. TECH: NONE TRUCKS: • Commissioner Westmiller reported the revised RFP for 1421 was forwarded to Attorney Butler for review. • 1442 is going to Jay’s for inspection TOWN BOARD: • Commissioner Freedman reported the Town’s bookkeeper says we will have the tax levy this week. RECORDS: • Secretary reported January 10, 2026, will be mandatory OSHA training, asked Chiefs to let members know and asked everyone to put it on their calendars. POLICY: • Discussion held regarding allowing D. Dougherty and I. Ross to apply for NYS Stipend once they receive certificates for all parts of Fire Officer I. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to allow Chief Gaden to sign the form allowing D. Dougherty and I. Ross to submit application for stipend. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: NONE LONG RANGE PLAN: • Gave to auditors AUDIT: • Almost done. BUDGET: • Start workshops in June, until then will probably one meet once a month. OLD BUSINESS: • West Danby Water District shared usage agreement for the year • Lawn mowing advertisement will be in the Ithaca Journal, Danby News, Danby Town News. Chiefs were asked to have the Fire Companies put it on their Facebook pages. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the West Danby Water District shared usage agreement for 2025. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. NEW BUSINESS: • 1st Asst. Chief VanEtten reported 04/05/25 will be having a fundraiser with Covered Bridge and 07/23/25 a BBQ fundraiser at Eagles. APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the lowest quote received from First End/Crocker Corp. of $3,943.60 for the purchase of 2 battery operated lights. Chief Gaden requested. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve lowest quote received from Jerome of $468.00 plus shipping and handling for 2 twenty-pound ABC extinguishers for truck with brackets. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the emergency repair by Climate Control of the circulating pump on the Danby boiler, cost of $1,154.70. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the $360.55 cost to repair the dishwasher at the Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the purchase of a stand-up desk and standing mat for the Secretary not to exceed $250.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve $368.80 invoice from Cintas for Hood Suppression inspections done at both stations. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve $3,348.64 to McNeil Insurance Company for interior firefighter cancer insurance policy. Motion seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Next Meeting date and time: • 02/25/28/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting cancelled • 03/11/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting Meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary