HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-06-12 Fire District Special Meeting Minutes (draft)
DRAFT
DANBY FIRE DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
June 12, 2025
Commissioner Westmiller called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS:
Katherine Anderson (absent)
Kevin Faehndrich
Joseph Freedman
Charlotte Griggs (absent)
Wayne Westmiller
Bonnie Hart, Treasurer(absent)
Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer
John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief (absent)
Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief (absent)
PUBLIC: NONE
Call to Order
• Commissioner Freedman reported concerns on purchasing the West Danby Pumper Tanker at this time after
additional review.
o He outlined his concerns by giving the following synopsis:
Last year the West Danby Truck Committee began the process of putting together a spec package on a
pumper tanker.
Only one bid was received. Alexis Fire Equipment Company for $656,000.00 to build the pumper tanker.
The cost of the chassis was known to be $156,000.00. Attendant Equipment and Appliances and services related
were estimated to be not more than $534,000.00.
The Board of Fire Commissioners on May 13, 2025, passed a resolution to award the bid to Alexis Fire
Equipment Company.
The Board of Fire Commissioners on May 13, 2025, passed a resolution to transfer $290,000.00 from
Apparatus Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account subject to a permissive referendum.
The Board of Fire Commissioners on May 13, 2025, passed a resolution to bond up to $450,000.00 for the
acquisition and equipping of a pumper tanker subject to a mandatory referendum. Mandatory referendum was
scheduled for June 17, 2025.
Commissioners and Treasurer researched bonds and found a 5-year bond at 4.5% estimated to begin in
2027 after the apparatus was expected to be received. Taxpayers cost over the 5-year bond would be $91,000.00 to
$92,000.00 per year.
Review of 2024 through May 2025 of call volume for the current pumper tanker at West Danby Fire
Company was done.
It was determined that the call volume utilizing the current pumper tanker was not sufficient to warrant the
Board to purchase the new apparatus at this time. The Board has a fiduciary responsibility to spend taxpayers’
money prudently.
• Lengthy discussion followed on rescinding the bond, transfer from capital reserves, and the award of the bid. Also,
to cancel the mandatory bond referendum scheduled for June 17, 2025.
• Commissioner Faehndrich mentioned the replacement of the current pumper tanker process was initially started
because of the truck’s age and repair costs. Discussion followed on there is no law for when an apparatus must be
replaced. NFPA has guidelines, again those are not laws.
• Commissioner Westmiller discussed the condition of the current pumper tanker.
• Discussion on maybe replacing it with a used apparatus in the future. Discussion followed on the Long-Range Plan.
Commissioner Faehndrich moved to rescind the Bond Resolution, Resolutions authorizing the Transfer of Capital Reserve
Funds and Resolutions Awarding a Bid for the purchase of certain apparatus, all previously approved on May 13, 2025, and
that they are all deemed a nullity. The Fire District Secretary to give notice as appropriate, including the cancellation of the
Bond Referendum to be held on June 17, 2025. Commissioner Freedman seconded and a roll call followed: Commissioner
Anderson: (absent); Commissioner Faehndrich: Aye; Commissioner Freedman: Aye; Commissioner Griggs: (absent);
Commissioner Westmiller: Aye. Motion carried.
• Discussion on a long-term plan for personnel succession planning for line officers.
Next Meeting dates and time:
• 06/24/25 at 6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting with Budget Workshop to follow
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Gaden Secretary
DANBY FIRE DISTRICT
RESOLUTIONS PERTAINING TO ACQUISITION OF FIRE APPARATUS
WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Danby Fire District previously authorized
Bond Resolutions, Resolutions Authorizing Transfer of Capital Reserve Funds, and Resolutions
Awarding a Bid of Fire Apparatus and otherwise; and
NOW THERFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that such Bond Resolutions, Resolutions authorizing the Transfer of Capital
Reserve Funds and Resolutions Awarding a Bid for the purchase of certain apparatus, all previously
approved on May__, 2025 are hereby RESCINDED and hereby deemed a nullity, absent further action
if any, by the Board for Fire Commissioners; and it is further
RESOLVED, that these Resolutions shall take effect immediately and that the Fire District
Secretary shall give notice as appropriate, including the cancellation of the Bond Referendum to be
held on June 17, 2025.
SO ORDERED.
Commissioner Faehndrich moved, Commissioner Freedman seconded, and the Board of Fire
Commissioners voted as follows:
Name: Voting: Aye or Nay:
Chairman Westmiller Aye
Commissioner Anderson absent
Commissioner Faehndrich Aye
Commissioner Freedman Aye
Commissioner Griggs absent
The foregoing resolutions were thereupon declared duly adopted.
June 12, 2025
_____________________________
Sharon Gaden, Secretary
Danby Fire District