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Home My WebLink About25-04-08 Fire District Minutes (preliminary) PRELIMINARY DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING April 8, 2025 Commissioner Freedman 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 Ken VanEtten, Danby 1st Asst. Chief PUBLIC: Laura Barton Jordan Brown Vince Brown Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: Preliminary minutes for March 11, 2025, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on March 24, 2025, for posting to Town’s website and were also posted on the District Website on March 24, 2025. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2025, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Treasurer’s Report: • Bank statements reconciled. Chemung Canal Trust Company and Tompkins Community Bank. • Emailed Financial Reports to Commissioners/Secretary/Chiefs o Balance Sheet o Profit and Loss o Equipment (100/200) (Chiefs and Secretary) o Fuel (Chiefs and Secretary) • PERMA – 1st Qtr. Payroll audit submitted • 941 Tax filed • NYS 45 Filed • Audit for 2024 complete – Filed with Town Clerk Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMUNICATIONS: • Email form PERMA – Annual Conference 05/15/25 & 05/16/25 at Turning Stone • Email from Tompkins Community Bank – discover tailored payment solutions with TCB • Email NYCLASS and NYLAF are merging • Email AFDSNY Coffee with Commissioners March 22, 2025 (emailed to Commissioners and Treasurer Hart) • Email from NYS Archives – email management • Email from NYCLASS March Economic Update • Email from McNeil & Co. regarding live seminar “seeing in color again” • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chief’s – Fire 2025 Annual Conference & Expo June 4-7 Syracuse • Email AFDSNY Mini Summit in Cheektowaga May 30th & 31st. • Email PERMA Safety Tip Tuesday • Email NYS Archives webinar • Email PERMA Safety & Wellness Fair • Email NYS Association of Fire Chiefs newsletter • Flyer from Nel’s Tractor • Danby News April 2025 • Danby Town News April 2025 (email editor to change time in one place in newsletter) Privilege of the Floor: Laura Barton from the West Danby Fire Department Disciplinary Board asked to discuss a matter with the Board of Fire Commissioners along with other member of the Disciplinary Board Jordan Brown and Vice President Vince Brown. Motion made by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing West Danby personnel issue. Those present Commissioners: Faehndrich, Freedman, Griggs and Westmiller, Secretary Gaden, West Danby Chief Robert McCray, West Danby 1st Assistant Chief Ken VanEtten, West Danby Fire Department Vice-President Vince Brown, West Danby members of the Disciplinary Board Laura Barton and Jordan Brown. The Board entered Executive Session at 6:36 p.m. Motion by Commissioner Westmiller, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to end the Executive Session and to proceed with open session. Carried 4 yes 0 no. The Board returned to open session at 7:52 p.m. Those present were Commissioners Faehndrich, Freedman, Griggs and Westmiller, Secretary Gaden, Treasurer Hart, Danby Chief John Gaden, West Danby Chief Robert McCray, and West Danby 1st Assistant Chief Ken VanEtten. No decision made in Executive Session CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: (Chief McCray) • Written report for March was emailed this evening. • The County never ordered the radios that were previously ordered, they were reordered in March. • H. Wendt was sent a letter of removal from the Fire Department. Copy received for District records. • Will be contacting Ward’s Apparatus to have them service the pump on the UTV. Cannot get it to hold a prime. • 1443 – called Admiral Specialty Vehicle, parts are still not in. • Air compressor is having issues, will be looking at a new one. • Gear washer is broken. Looking at the cost of a new one. Commissioners asked that he try to get this one fixed first. DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for March was received. • S. Sauer has asked to take EVOC training course at the Tompkins County Airport. Training starts April 24 and ends May 31. Asking for mileage reimbursement. • Gas meters were tested. West Danby passed. Danby’s did not. One sensor was bad. Price quotes received for a new one: Jerome $1,150.00; Fire Store $1,165 and Fire Matic $1,190.00. Sensors are guaranteed for 4 years. • Work on lights at Danby Station was completed and outlet and thermostat were moved. • Going to look at a firesafe at Lowe’s • Chief’s Office ceiling is still leaking. Commissioner Westmiller will contact Hale Roofing. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept training request by S. Sauer to attend EVOC at the Tompkins County Airport starting 04/24/25 and ending May 31, 2025, with mileage reimbursement up to $150.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Chief McCray did have an emergency generator repair. He did let the West Danby Water District know. Discussion held after Treasurer Hart noted all the work that has been recently done to the generator. Discussed putting this in the Long-Range Plan. • 1st Asst. Chief VanEtten reported the sinkhole in front parking lot is getting worse. He has contacted the Town of Danby Highway Superintendent. • Chief Gaden reported the Fire Company has discussed raising and moving the shed. Will need a load of gravel and concrete blocks. Chief Gaden will contact the Town of Danby Highway Superintendent. • Commissioner Westmiller reported he has been talking with the architect regarding getting assistance on preparing a bid package for work to be done on the floors at West Danby Station. 1st Asst. Ken VanEtten reminded them of the pipes in the ceiling needing insulation. • Chief Gaden reported April 22nd HAC will be at the Danby Station to service the HVAC units. Chief McCray will contact them to do the maintenance at West Danby. GRANTS: NONE INSURANCE: NONE TECH: • Chief McCray reported Ben at the Computer Room will be submitting a quote to install Starlink at the West Danby Station. He was asked to obtain additional quotes per procurement policy. TRUCKS: • Chief Gaden reported 421 will be going to Geneva soon to have recall work done. • Commissioner Freedman reminded everyone that any costs associated with obtaining 1421, for example legal counsel, travel, etc., is to go with the cost of the new tanker and be included in the amount being reviewed for approval. TOWN BOARD: NONE RECORDS: • Commissioner Freedman reminded to take the commissioner training. • Shred-it came to empty recycling bin. POLICY: NONE MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Chief McCray reported that the West Danby members enrolled in the Fire Police Course, D. Mikloski-Tome; D. Tome and J. Tome did not attend the course. • Physicals are June 23, 2025, and start at 5:00 p.m. Chiefs were each given a sign-up sheet and reminded to let all members know to plan to come early as physicals move quickly, forms and confidential letters will be coming and that all slots need to be filled, Occustar does not any gaps in the schedule. LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE AUDIT: • Affidavit of Publication of the Audit was received. BUDGET: • Start workshops in June, until then will probably one meet once a month. OLD BUSINESS: • Sub-committee of Commissioner Westmiller and Secretary Gaden have started searching for a new Fire District Attorney. NEW BUSINESS: • Chief McCray reported he received J. Brown was removed from service by a doctor, stating she needed surgery . He has since received the doctor’s clearance for her to return to active duty. He noted he received nothing to be submitted to PERMA. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Griggs moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 4-A $9,193.88 claims 53-68 and Abstract 4-B $16,843.85 claims 69-79. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the yearly renewal fee of $276.00 for Square Space for the District website. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve renewal of QuickBooks in the amount of $1,768.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve $719.58 for the additional 6 lights at Danby Station to be installed by Pleasant Valley. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve $90.00 to purchase Ax ($70.00 and S&H of $20.00) from First Out. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the purchase of a printer/scanner/copier/fax machine and additional ink cartridges for the Danby Staff Office by Secretary Gaden in the amount of $198.70 through Amazon. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the emergency repair of West Danby’s generator by Kinsley in the amount of $2,358.83. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to accept the lowest quote to purchase 2 new gas meters from Jerome Fire up to $2,400.00. One for each fire station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the purchase of stations supplies and decon kit supplies from Lowe’s in the amount of $192.42. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve office supplies from Staples in the amount of $35.00 for the Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the purchase of 10 flashlights from Fire Store amount not to exceed $700.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Tabled approval of Ward’s Apparatus to repair West Danby’s UTV. The Chiefs will look at the UTV first. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve purchase of red fire helmet with shield from Fire End in the amount of $359.02 for West Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the additional retainer fee of $3,500.00 to Mark Butler, Esq. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Next Meeting date and time: • 04/22/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary