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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-06-10 Fire District Minutes (draft) DRAFT DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING June 10, 2025 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 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) Ken VanEtten, Danby 1st Asst. Chief PUBLIC: NONE Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: Preliminary minutes for May 13, 2025, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on May 26, 2025, for posting to Town’s website and were also posted on the Fire District’s Website on May 26, 2025. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2025, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 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) (Chiefs only) o Fuel to Chiefs/Secretary (Chiefs and Secretary only) Commissioner Freedman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMUNICATIONS: • West Danby Fire District Important Updates and Annual Report (emailed to Commissioners and Treasurer) • Danby News June 2025 • Danby Town News June 2025 • Received proof of insurance for WeMow Lawn Service • NYS Archives webinar – Creating File Plans • NYCLASS – Economic Crossroads: Tariff Shocks, Market Jitters, and Global Recalibration Newsletter • Email from PERMA Annual Conference • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs: Size Up Magazine digital edition availabl e • Email NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – flyer for June 6th memorial stair climb walk • Email AFDSNY Annual Meeting & Vendor Expo – October 2-4 Saratoga Springs • Email from PERMA Safety Tip Tuesday • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – Bugle Newsletter • Email from PERMA Conference Survey • Email from NYS Archives – notification of webinar recordings • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs 2025 Expo reminder • Email from NYS Archives Local Government Newsletter • Email from NYCLASS new statement • Email from PERMA monthly newsletter • Email from NYCLASS May 2025: NYCLASS Collateral Report • Email from PERMA Points Program Privilege of the Floor: NONE Steve Shahan, attorney came in and introduced himself to the Board. He gave an overview of his history in representing fire district and fire companies. Conversation followed. Attorney Shahan left and discussion followed by the attorney search sub -committee and the Board of Fire Commissioners. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve Steve Shahan as the Fire District attorney beginning January 2026. Fire District Secretary was asked to copy attorney Shahan in on all legal matters with current fire district attorney Mark Butler. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 6-A $13,589.48 claims 115-131 and Operating Account Abstract 6-B $15,166.35 claims 132-137. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: (1st Asst. Chief K. VanEtten) • Written report for May was emailed by Chief McCray. Secretary printed and handed out to Commissioners, Treasurer and Chief Gaden. • No business meeting was held last night. DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for May was received. • Station Usage: o 06/24/25 by Highway Department for seminar. o 07/11/25, 08/08/25, 09/05/25 and 11/14/25 Red Cross blood drives Discussion followed how much room they need as the Board of Elections are using both stations for primary voting on June 24th. Chief Gaden will contact the Highway Superintendent. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept station usage listed above if allowances can be made to have the Town Highway Department’s training here at the same time as the Board of Elections uses the meeting room for primary election voting. Commissioner Griggs seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. • Training requests: o S. Sauer Rescue Tech Basic in Tompkins County at Trumansburg Fire Department, 06/23/25 through 07/05/25. No registration fees. Requesting mileage reimbursement of up to $160.00. o S. Sauer Firefighter 2 in Chemung County at Horseheads Fire Department, 08/19 /25 through 10/29/25. No registration fees. No request for mileage reimbursement, he will carpool with D. Dougherty and I. Ross. o Submitted form for J. Andrews approved to attend BEFO in Tioga County. o K. Kassam BEFO in Tioga County at Newark Valley Fire Department 09/08/25 through 12/08/25 (tabled) Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept training request for S. Sauer to attend Rescue Tech Basic training in Tompkins County and S. Sauer to attend Firefighter 2 training in Chemung County. Commissioner Freedman seconded. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. • Received email from Tompkins County DOER asking if the Fire Company/Fire District wanted new radios for 401 and 421. The Fire District would have to pay for installation. Quote from Admiral Specialty Vehicle to install $200.00 each. Discussion followed. • AEDs for both stations were tested and passed. • 06/28/25 SCBA flow/hydro testing is scheduled at Danby Station for both Departments. • Danby Vol. Fire Co. has purchased a suction unit with case and will turn it over to t he district to cover under insurance. • Ordered another pair of boots for a new member. • At Chief show on 06/07/25 in Syracuse talked to vendors about gear washers and have quotes being emailed. Will forward to Com. Anderson with a note on cancer insurance risks and the cost of an electrician to install 220 at both stations. Com. Anderson is putting together a request for a grant for 2 washers. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller reported he met with architect to look at concrete replacement at both stations. • West Danby apparatus bay overhead door (tabled) • Voting machines will arrive 06/20/25 for election on 06/24/25. GRANTS: NONE INSURANCE: • Accident report was done for Danby member who tripped and fell in the apparatus bay. Discussion held on putting caution tape vs spray painting the area to highlight the step/raise in pavement. Chief Gaden will research. TECH: NONE TRUCKS: • 1st Asst. Chief K. VanEtten reported 1443 should be complete and ready for delivery next week. • West Danby UTV still out of service. TOWN BOARD: NONE RECORDS: • Received AED annual service reports. • Fireproof safe purchased. • Software for tracking members viewing/accepting Fire District Policies and other documents as necessary. Secretary Gaden reported she is working with McNeil Insurance Company on the section in their E-Learning software to establish this tracking. This will help in the cost of having to print policies yearly. POLICY: • Assignments were handed out and emailed to commissioners, chiefs, treasurer, and secretary. MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Secretary Gaden asked 1st Asst. Chief K. VanEtten to follow up with written resignation from N. Swick. • Guthrie Occupational Medicine Account was reviewed and deemed accurate. • 2025 mandatory physicals are scheduled for June 23, 2025, starting at 5:00 p.m.. Chiefs asked to remind membership to have members have forms completed, return envelopes and come reasonably earlier than scheduled. • Chiefs were reminded to reschedule their business meetings on April 13, 2026, to either the Monday before or the Monday after as the 2026 annual mandatory physicals are scheduled for April 13, 2026. This will free up a training night in June. April 19, 2027 is also set for physicals in 2027 and will not affect the business meeting night. LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE AUDIT: NONE BUDGET: • Workshops start in June. Chiefs reminded to work on their equipment lists for 2026. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: NONE APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve $1,568.64 for legal fees by Law Office of Mark Butler. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Legal Services Account) Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve additional retainer for of $3,500.00 to Law Office of Mark Butler. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yea 0 no. (Legal Services Account) Commissioner Freedman made a motion to p ay Meridian for Extrication Skills training on May 19, 2025. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Split 50/50 from Fire Company Training Accounts) Commissioner Freedman made a motion to pay Napa bill of $34.25 for mixed fuel and soap to wash trucks. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (West Danby Truck General Maintenance Account) Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay $31.23 to Mirabito for gas for 1442. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Gas Account) Discussion followed that Chief McCray needs to submit receipts to the treasurer in a timely manner. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to pay the Lowes charge of $87.78 for the pre-authorized purchase of a fireproof safe for the Fire District. This will eliminate the need for the safe deposit box rental at the bank. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Record Management Account) Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the cost of installing 4 radios, one in each truck (401, 421, 1401 and 1421) by Admiral Specialty Vehicle at approximate cost of $1,200.00). Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Radio Account) Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve up $180.00 for the purchase of fire boots for Danby member. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Danby Equipment Account) Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve up to $160.00 for mileage reimbursement for S. Sauer to attend Rescue Tech Basic training in Tompkins County at Trumansburg Fire Department . Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Danby Training & Travel Account) Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve up to $400.00 on the purchase of a shredder for the District Office. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Office Equipment Account) Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve paying the annual signup fee to Google for email account in the amount of $2,520.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. (Internet Services Account) Motion by Commissioner Westmiller, seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters of demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a member of the West Danby Fire Department. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Present: Commissioners Faehdrich, Freedman, Griggs and Westmiller, 1st Asst. Chief K. VanEtten and Secretary Gaden. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:19 p.m.. Commissioner Faehndrich had to leave meeting at 9:08 p.m. Motion by Commissioner Westmiller, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to end the Executive Session and to proceed with open session. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. The Board returned to open session at 9:09 p.m. Present: Commissioners Freedman, Griggs and Westmiller, 1st Asst. Chief K. VanEtten and Secretary Gaden. Next Meeting dates and time: • 06/24/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting with Budget Workshop to follow Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary