HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-03-11 Fire District Minutes (preliminary)
PRELIMINARY
DANBY FIRE DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
March 11, 2025
Commissioner Freedman called the regular meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS:
Katherine Anderson (absent)
Kevin Faehndrich (absent)
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
PUBLIC: None
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Bid openings:
• Lawn mowing: Requests for proposals was published in the Ithaca Journal, Danby News, Danby Town News, Facebook
pages for Fire Companies. Received two proposals.
o WeMow lawn care for Danby Station $73.70 each time and West Danby Station at $82.50 each time.
o Junkit lawn care for Danby Station $150.00 each time and West Danby Station at $125.00 each time.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to accept bid proposal from We Mow to mow Danby Station at $73.70 per mowing and West
Danby Station at $82.50 per mowing for the 2025 mowing season. Commissioner Griggs seconded. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Minutes: Preliminary minutes for February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on February 24, 2025, for
posting to Town’s website and were also posted on the District Website on February 24, 2025.
Commissioner Freedman moved to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner
Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Treasurer’s Report:
• Bank statements reconciled.
• Emailed Financial Reports to Commissioners/Secretary/Chiefs
o Balance Sheet
o Profit and Loss
o Equipment (100/200)
o Fuel
• Bond Payment Due $32473.89 – Fulton Savings Bank (Due 4/1/24)
• Bond Payment Due $31333.49 – Tioga State Bank (Due 4/10/24)
• Annual Financial Report (AFR) for 2024 has been Filed - 2/22/25
• 2025 Tax Levy was deposited 2/15/25
• Audit for 2024 complete by outside auditors Stokes, Visca, Hucko & Barone, LLC, copy filed in District Office
Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to accept the outside audit for 2024 done by Stokes, Visca, Hucko & Barone, LLC. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
• Commissioner Freedman reported he and Treasurer Hart reviewed the accounts and recommend moving $50,000.00 from
Operating to Reserves. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to move $50,000.00 from the Operating Account to the Apparatus Procurement, Repair and
Replacement Capital Reserve Account and to transfer the same amount into NYCLASS investment account. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 3 yes
0 no.
COMMUNICATIONS:
• Email form PERMA – Annual Conference 05/15/25 & 05/16/25 at Turning Stone
• Email from PERMA – Safety Tip Tuesday
• Email from NYS Archives – monthly newsletter
• Email from NYCLASS collateral report and portfolio holdings
• Email from NYS Archives – webinar on Disaster Response for the Records Manager
• Email from AFDSNY – 2025 mini summit White Plaines March 28th & 29th
• Email from NYCLASS – Invest your fire entity’s tax funds with NYCLASS
• Email from NYSAFC Regional Hands-on Training Opportunities
• Email from NYS Archives February webinar
• Email from Tompkins Community Bank regarding upcoming changes to Treasury Management login process
• Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – Bugle Association News
• Email from PERMA & NYSAFC Grant – Grant Award Recipients
• Email from NYSAFC Bugle – monthly newsletter
• Email from PERMA Newsletter
• Email from AFDSNY – Fire 2025 Annual Conference June 4th through June 6th at Syracuse Fire Department Training Center
• Email from PERMA Annual Conference Sessions
• Email from NYCLASS – Tariffs, Inflation, and Uncertainty Ahead?
• Email from NYS Archives – newsletter
• Email from PERMA Points Program
• Email from NYCLASS Statement
• Email from NYS Archives – webinar notification
• Email from PERMA Seasonal Awareness Webinar
• Email from PERMA March monthly newsletter
• Email from NYSAFC – Hands-on Training at FDNY Training Academy
• Danby News March newsletter
• Danby Town News March newsletter
• Postcard from Cornerstone Services Inc.
• James Publishing NY Fire District Officers’ Guide Revision 27
• FASNY Recruit NY April 26th – 27th.
Privilege of the Floor: NONE
CHIEF’S REPORTS:
WDFC: (Chief McCray)
• Written reports for January and February were emailed prior to meeting.
• Station usage: 03/15/25 pancake breakfast; and 05/17/25 West Danby Cemetery Association from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 04/05/25 at Cover Bridge Market in Newfield Chicken BBQ to benefit the Fire Company.
• Training requests: N. Dyson-Hudson attend NYS DEC 2025 Annual Fireline Refresher Class at SUNY Cortland in Cortland County on
3/21/25. Not requesting any reimbursement.
• EMS Director has placed a supply order
• Members having been taking on a painting renovation; Chief McCray is trying to set-up a tax-exempt account at Sherwin Williams.
• Commissioner Westmiller asked that the members pressure wash the front of the building more.
Commissioner Griggs moved to accept above noted station usage. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 3
yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs moved to accept training request for N. Dyson-Hudson to attend NYS DEC 2025 Annual Fireline Refresher
class at SUNY Cortland in Cortland County, no reimbursement requested. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion
carried 3 yes 0 no.
DVFC: (Chief Gaden)
• Written report for February was received.
• 1 new member approved by Fire Company as a probationary member: Catharine Conley of 88 Gunderman Road, Ithaca, NY
14850.
• Station usage: 03/20/24 Rabies Clinic from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 03/29/25 A. Westmiller for birthday party.
• Training requests: B. Bowman to attend Rescue Tech at VanEtten Fire Department in Chemung County, class begins
07/07/25 and ends 08/25/25. No reimbursement requested.
• Outside light fixed by Pleasant Valley
• Received estimate for Pleasant Valley to move outlet and thermostat in new apparatus bay.
Commissioner Freedman moved to accept above noted station usage. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 3
yes 0 no.
Commissioner Freedman moved to accept Catharine Conley as a new member pending passing firefighter physical exam. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Freedman moved to accept training request by B. Bowman to attend Rescue Tech at VanEtten Fire Department in
Chemung County beginning 07/07/25 and ending 08/25/25, no reimbursement requested. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs.
Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
COMMITTEES:
PURCHASING: NONE
BUILDING/GROUNDS:
• Commissioner Westmiller discussed quotes he received to replace lights at the Danby Fire Station with LEDs. Sparks
Electric estimate $12,649.74 and Pleasant Valley Electric $8,032.46
• No update on concrete work at both stations.
• Chief Gaden reported dead mice were found in the Staff Office.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
Commissioner Westmiller moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 3-A $75,069.99 claims
27-41 (42-66) and Abstract 3-B $35,358.40 claims 42-52 (67-86). Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 3
yes 0 no.
GRANTS:
• Chiefs asked to send Commissioner Anderson a list of items that we might request a grant for.
INSURANCE:
• Roster for Life Insurance was reviewed, and 4 new members were added.
TECH:
• Secretary asked if a printer could be purchased for the Staff Office, obtaining quotes
• Chief McCray will be talking to the Computer Room for quote on installing Starlink at West Danby; discussion held on
sending CEO of Starlink a letter to ask for help to offset cost.
TRUCKS:
• Chief McCray reported he spoke to Brian at Admiral Specialty Vehicles waiting on materials to complete 1443.
• Chief McCray reported 1442 will be going for an inspection soon.
• Chief McCray reported 1421 still needs outstanding repairs to be done by Wards and he will call Wards for a timeframe.
• Chief McCray reported 1401 has a slow tire leak and he will be calling Wards to have it repaired.
• Commissioner Westmiller gave a report on the new 1421 purchase process. It was stressed that no one can answer any questions, no matter how
minute after the Notice to Bidders is published. All questions/inquiries are to be directed to the Secretary, in writing, at
secretary@danbyfiredistrict.org.
Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to accept the Bid Specification Package received after attorney Butler’s review. Motion seconded by Commissioner
Freedman. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
TOWN BOARD: NONE
RECORDS:
• Safe Deposit Box examined 02/22/25 and inventory list updated 02/24/25
• List of 2025 Certifications were submitted to Tompkins County Assessment Department for all members eligible
and wishing to apply for the volunteer firefighter exemption from real property tax.
• Commissioner information form sent to attorney Butler
• Received updated proof of insurance for Tompkins County Board of Elections for both stations
POLICY: NONE
MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: NONE
LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE
AUDIT:
• Under Treasurer Report
BUDGET:
• Start workshops in June, until then will probably one meet once a month.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Commissioner Freedman discussed searching for an attorney now vs. later. Sub-Committee formed: Commissioner
Westmiller and Secretary Gaden.
NEW BUSINESS:
• Commissioner Freedman discussed purchasing a fireproof box vs paying annually for a safe deposit box.
APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED:
Commissioner Griggs moved to approve the yearly monitory by Alarmtech Systems at each station in the amount of $1,151.52. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve Pleasant Valley Electric’s estimate to move outlets and thermostat in Danby’s new
apparatus bay. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the purchase of 2 fire service law books from Lexis Nexis in the amount of $145.63.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve $14.99 per month for Treasurer Hart to have Adobe Acrobat Standard. Motion seconded
by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the additional mileage reimbursement for I. Ross, attendance at Fire Officer I, in the
amount of $53.47. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the purchase of tables for Danby Fire Company in the amount of $417.45. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to accept the lowest quote to purchase of fire gloves and hoods from First Out in the amount of
$1,830.00 which includes shipping and handling. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to accept the lowest quote to purchase extrication gloves, safety glasses and bunker boots from
Fire End in the amount of $1,294.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve mileage reimbursement from S. Wyatt for attendance at 02/25/25 training in Lodi, NY
in the amount of $42.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the repair of the outside light at Danby Fire Station by Pleasant Valley in the amount
of $297.50. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve purchase of EMS supplies for West Danby through Medline (sole-source) in the amount
of $2,082.37. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the purchase of paint and supplies from Lowes for West Danby Station. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the pumping of the outside holding tank at West Danby by Minteer Construction in
the amount of $300.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to accept lowest quote received from Pleasant Valley Electric to replace lights at Danby
Station with LED lights in the amount of $8,032.46. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the purchase of 1 hardcopy and 1 electronic from James Publishing of the New York
Fire District Officer’s Guide. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve up to $400.00 to have Stericycle pick-up shredding container. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve up to $300.00 to purchase fireproof box/safe with keys for the District Office.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no.
Next Meeting date and time:
• 03/25/28/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting cancelled
• 04/08/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Gaden Secretary