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Home My WebLink About25-12-23 Fire District Minutes DRAFT DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING December 23, 2025 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Katherine Anderson (Absent) 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 December 9, 2025, regular meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Treasurer’s Report: • Auditors have submitted list of what they want to review. (Commissioner Griggs arrived) Commission Westmiller moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. COMMUNICATIONS: • Dec/Jan AFDSNY District Affairs was emailed to all Commissioners and Treasurer Privilege of the Floor: NONE CHIEF’S REPORTS: WDFC: 1st Asst. Chief Kenneth VanEtten reported: • Revised written report for November was received. • Station usage requests: 12/27/25 by J. Brown for birthday party; 01/10/26 and 01/31/26 by J. Warner for birthday parties. • H. Wright and J. Warner passed Cortland Bootcamp; certificates given to secretary. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept station usage as follows: 12/27/25 by J. Brown for birthday party; 01/10/26 and 01/31/26 by J. Warner for birthday parties. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. DVFC: Chief John Gaden reported: • Projector project for meeting room: received a quote from Auto Chef LLC for $5,040.00; did not hear back from Hi-way Hi-Fi and Computer Room does not do this type of work. Discussion followed. Decision to wait for 2026 and try to get more quotes. • Blinds installed in District Office, Conference Room, Chief’s Office, and meeting room. Have 2 boxes of spare slats. • Applied for DEC grant. Will start awarding in March 2026, it is a matching grant, we put up $800.00 and we will get a grant for $800.00. • Extrication tools for the Fire District were serviced. Company will be sending a new contract in January. • Septic was pumped. Company will be back to install a riser. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller reported both hoods in the kitchens at both fire stations need to be cleaned. He asked Treasurer Hart to reach out to Absolute Cleaning. • Commissioner Faehndrich reported he did not talk to NYSEG for the arborist about the trees at the Danby Fire Station. • HSG came and cleaned the furnace at the West Danby Fire Station GRANTS: • Discussion on the 2026 Infrastructure NYS grant. Decision to ask grant writer to go ahead and put us on their list to apply for this grant INSURANCE: • Secretary Gaden reported all 3 reports pertaining to cancer insurance were submitted. TECH: • Commissioner Faehndrich reported Starlink materials were ordered, and he will follow-up on the invoice. TRUCKS: • Chief Gaden reported 443 had a NYS inspection, oil change, and tires rotated. • Treasurer Hart asked if the repairs to 1421 estimated at $11,000.00 +/- have been done. Asst. Chief VanEtten reported they have not yet been done. TOWN BOARD: • Going to ask for quarterly fuel statements from now on. RECORDS: • Secretary Gaden read LENS report POLICY: • All policies (#1 through #29) have been reviewed by the Board of Fire Commissioners. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to do the following per policy: #1 reviewed; #2 amend as previously discussed; #3 amend as previously discussed; #4 reviewed; #5 reviewed: #6 reviewed; #7 amend as previously discussed; #8 reviewed; #9 amend as previously discussed; #10 reviewed; #11 reviewed; #12 amend as previously discussed; #13 reviewed; #14 reviewed; #15 reviewed; #16 reviewed; #17 reviewed; #18 reviewed; #19 reviewed; #20 amend as previously discussed; #21 reviewed; #22 amend as previously discussed; #23 reviewed; #24 reviewed; #25 reviewed; #26 reviewed; #27 reviewed; #28 reviewed; #29 reviewed. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. New policy #30 Safety, Inclusion, and Cooperation Policy was discussed, and previously reviewed by attorney Butler. The adoption of the Safety, Inclusion and Cooperation Policy in the form of a resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call the vote was as follows: Chairman Westmiller: Aye; Commissioner Anderson: Absent; Commissioner Faehndrich: Aye; Commissioner Freedman: Aye; Commissioner Griggs: Aye. The resolution was thereupon duly adopted. MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Reminder mandatory OSHA training for Commissioners, Secretary, Treasurer, and all fire department members is January 10, 2026, at the Danby Fire Station. LONG RANGE PLAN: • Commissioner Freedman reported it is being worked on. AUDIT: • Commissioner Freedman and Treasurer Hart are working on an extensive control questionnaire from the auditors. BUDGET: • Commissioner Faehndrich reminded the Chiefs to get all outstanding invoices in to the Treasurer. • Secretary Gaden will check with the Assessment Department to see what amount was submitted by the Town of Danby as the Fire District’s tax levy. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Griggs moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 12-D Claims 305-317 in the amount of $44,740.41. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve up to $1,500.00 for Absolute Cleaning to clean the kitchen hoods at both fire stations. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the additional cost of $1,022.19 to HSI Emergency for the software and supplies for CPR and First Aid cards, total expense was $1,922.19, $900.00 previously approved. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve $1,036.80 for the cost of Gaggle to locate and pump the septic tank at the Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve $1,960.87 to the Town of Danby for the cost of electric at the Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve $2,266.67 to the Town of Danby for the cost of electric at the West Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to pay $417.59 to Intuit Quick Books for supplies. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: • Decision made to send attorney Butler a retirement card Next Meeting dates and time: • January 13, 2026 @ 6:30 Organizational Meeting with regular meeting to follow Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DANBY FIRE DISTRICT OF THE TOWN OF DANBY, COUNTY OF TOMPKINS, STATE OF NEW YORK RESOLUTION 2025-12-23.1 RESOLUTION TO ADOPT SAFETY, INCLUSION, AND COOPRATION POLICY WHEREAS The Danby Fire District affirms its commitment to the protection, inclusion, and well-being of all persons within the Town of Danby. In carrying out our mission to safeguard life and property, we serve every individual-regardless of citizenship, immigration status, race, ethnicity, national origin, color, creed, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military status, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, or political affiliation This commitment reflects both our organizational values and our obligations under law. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.156(b)(1) and the corresponding New York State Department of Labor, Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau requirements, the District maintains an Organizational Statement that defines our structure, training standards, and functions in service to the community. In alignment with these regulations, the Danby Fire District ensures that all members and the public we serve are treated equitably and respectfully in every aspect of our operations. Additionally, the District adheres to the protections set forth in the New York State Human Rights Law (Executive Law, Article 15), which guarantees equal opportunity in employment and access to public services without discrimination based on the protected classes defined therein. These legal principles-reinforced by parallel federal civil-rights statutes-form the foundation of our service. Use of District Facilities and Equipment To preserve public trust and ensure that Fire District resources are used solely for public-safety purposes, the Danby Fire District does not permit its stations, equipment, personnel, or other assets to be used for the staging, coordination, or execution of federal civil-enforcement actions, including but not limited to immigration-related enforcement, except when such cooperation is expressly required by law. Any request for use of District resources by external agencies shall be evaluated by the Board of Fire Commissioners and legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable statutes and this policy. Data Collection and Privacy The District and its members will collect or retain personal data from individuals only when legally obligated to do so for operational or reporting purposes. Information gathered in the course of emergency response or administrative duties shall be limited to that required by law or regulation and handled in accordance with applicable privacy protections and District policy. Through this statement, the Board of Fire Commissioners affirms that our duty to public safety is inseparable from the trust of our community members and our duty to uphold dignity, fairness, and equal protection for all. The adoption of the foregoing policy in the form of a resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call the vote was as follows: Chairman Westmiller Aye Commissioner Anderson Absent Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Aye Commissioner Griggs Aye The resolution was thereupon duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners. Adopted December 23, 2025, Danby, New York