The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About25-12-09 Fire District Minutes PRELIMINARY DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING December 9, 2025 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Katherine Anderson Kevin Faehndrich Joseph Freedman Charlotte Griggs Wayne Westmiller Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief (Absent) Ken VanEtten, West Danby 1st Asst. Chief Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the November 11, 2025, regular meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Treasurer’s Report: • Emailed Financial Reports to Commissioners/Secretary/Chiefs o Balance Sheet o Profit and Loss o Equipment (100/200) o Fuel • Bank statements reconciled. Commission Westmiller moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. COMMUNICATIONS: • Letter from Cayuga Addition Recovery Services regarding screening Privilege of the Floor: NONE CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: 1st Asst. Chief Kenneth VanEtten McCray reported: • Written report for November was not received. Chief McCray will email it. • Station usage requests: none • Out of diesel and the current company will not deliver until a whistle is installed, it also needs a secondary containment. Discussion followed. Commissioners asked that the Chief or Assistant Chief obtain quotes. For now, they will use the Town of Danby to fill trucks. • Commissioner Freedman reminded Asst. Chief VanEtten that Chief McCray needs to get documentation to Treasurer Hart that was previously requested. • Chief Gaden reported the plumber notified him that at the West Danby station the toilet handle was replaced, and he repaired the kitchen sink. DVFC: Chief John Gaden reported: • Written report for November was received. • Station usage: V. Freedman on 12/10/25 for luncheon; 12/15/25 Fire Company Holiday dinner at 6:30; 01/10/26 mandatory OSHA training beginning at 8:00 a.m. • Looking at purchasing a projector and screen for meeting room. Com. Faehndrich recommended asking Computer Room for a quote. • 12/16/25 septic tank is being pumped and asking that access riser(s) be installed. • 12/17/25 blinds are being installed. • 12/18/25 extrication tools are being serviced. Notified West Danby earlier that their tools need to be brought to the Danby Station that day. • Has contacted another company for the “no turnout gear beyond this point” sign. • Heater by 401 has been repaired by Climate Control. • Entrance way heat has been fixed Commissioner Westmiller moved to accept station usage as follows: 12/10/25 V. Freedman for luncheon. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • 1st Asst. Chief VanEtten asked about purchasing a water softener for the West Danby Station. Discussion held. The Commissioners asked that the chiefs obtain 3 written quotes. • Commissioner Faehndrich said he heard back from D. Schauffler about the trees at the Danby Station. The pine tree does need to be trimmed and the hedgerow needs trimming by NYSEG GRANTS: • Chief Gaden is going to get with Treasurer Hart to apply for a DEC grant for brush supplies, it is a matching grant. INSURANCE: • Commissioner Freedman and Treasurer Hart are going to talk to the Insurance Company about the cancer insurance. TECH: • Commissioner Faehndrich will check on Starlink. • Treasurer Hart asked if each station uses 3 computers for Blue Devil Data software. Chief Gaden reported Danby does. It is assumed West Danby does as well. TRUCKS: • No update on tanker for West Danby; waiting until 2026 to discuss again. TOWN BOARD: NONE RECORDS: NONE POLICY: NONE MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Will hand out physical cards at OSHA training in January 2026 LONG RANGE PLAN: • Commissioner Freedman discussed floor work at West Danby; replacement of boiler at Danby; asphalt work at Danby and tanker replacement for West Danby. AUDIT: • Auditors have been sent information they requested, and work has been started. BUDGET: • Commissioner Freedman reported that would like to move the remaining contingency money at the end of the year to the reserves, approximately $50,000.00. Would like to do 10% to Apparatus reserve and 90% to Building reserve. Commissioner Freedman moved to transfer any funds at the end of 2025 in the contingency account as follows: 10% of the said monies to the Apparatus Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve and 90% of the said monies to the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account. Commissioner Griggs Seconded and a roll call followed: Commissioner Anderson: Aye; Commissioner Faehndrich: Aye; Commissioner Freedman: Aye; Commissioner Griggs: Aye and Commissioner Westmiller: Aye. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Westmiller moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 12-A Claims 269 – 286 in the amount of $10,803.87 and Abstract 12-B Claims 287 – 303 in the amount of $16,177.85 and Abstract 12-C Claim 304 in the amount of $70.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve John Mills Electric up to $500.00 for electrical work disconnecting the siren at the West Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. (West Danby building maintenance account) Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the purchase of 4 batteries for portable radios from Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response at the cost of $244.80. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the purchase of a sign for the apparatus bay door at Danby Station from Taylor Tins at the cost of $40.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve up to $1,000.00 for Gaggle Company to pump the septic at Danby Fire Station and to install access riser(s). Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. (Danby building maintenance account) Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve to pay $2,700.00 to Blue Devil Data LLC for software on 6 computers. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. (Software Account) Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve to pay $600.00 for the annual membership to the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York. Motion seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. (Subscription Account) Commissioner Anderson made a motion to approve to pay $45.00 for the annual membership to the New York Association of Fire Chiefs. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no. (Subscription Account) OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: NONE Next Meeting dates and time: • December 23, 2025 @ 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting • January 13, 2025 @ 6:30 Organizational Meeting with regular meeting to follow Commissioner Westmiller thanked Commissioner Anderson for her 10 years of service as a Fire Commissioner. Meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM A3410.9 CONTINGENCY TO A9901.9 TRANSFER TO RESERVE ACCOUNT RESOLUTION 2025-12-09.1 WHEREAS The Danby Fire District has budgeted for reserves accounts. WE RESOLVE to transfer the balance in the A3410.9 Contingency account at the end of 2025 to A9901.9 Transfer to Reserve Account as follows: Ten Percent (10%) to the Apparatus Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve and Ninety Percent (90%) to the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account. Commissioner Freedman moved, Commissioner Griggs seconded, and the Board of Fire Commissioners voted as follows: Name: Voting: Aye or Nay: Commissioner Anderson Aye Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Aye Commissioner Griggs Aye Commissioner Westmiller Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted. December 9, 2025 _____________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District