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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrganizational Meeting Minutes DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE DANBY FIRE DISTRICT HELD ON THE 13TH OF JANUARY 2026 • MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY TREASURER HART at 6:30 P.M.. ATTENDANCE (When meeting commenced): COMMISSIONERS: KEVIN FAEHNDRICH (Absent) JOSEPH FREEDMAN CHARLOTTE GRIGGS MARVIN OLTZ WAYNE WESTMILLER OFFICERS: BONNIE HART, TREASURER SHARON GADEN, SECRETARY JOHN GADEN, DANBY FIRE CHIEF ROBERT MCCRAY, WEST DANBY FIRE CHIEF MEMBERS: Ken VanEtten • OATH OF THE OFFICE OF THE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBER OF BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONER MARVIN OLTZ WAS PREVIOUSLY ADMINISTERED AT THE DANBY TOWN HALL • MOTION TO APPOINT WAYNE WESTMILLER, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DANBY FIRE DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 2026 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FREEDMAN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GRIGGS, AND CARRIED WITH ALL IN FAVOR. CHAIRMAN WESTMILLER NOW PRESIDES OVER THE MEETING. • MOTION TO APPOINT JOSEPH FREEDMAN, ALTERNATE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DANBY FIRE DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 2026 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WESTMILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GRIGGS, AND CARRIED WITH ALL IN FAVOR. A Notice of Organizational Meeting was sent to the Ithaca Journal on December 15, 2025, published in the Danby News and the Danby Town News, posted on the Fire District’s website on December 15, 2025, and on the Fire District’s electronic sign on December 16, 2025. The following line officers were elected on December 11, 2025: • John Gaden, Danby Chief • Daniel Saracino, Danby 1st Asst. Chief • Peter Goodman, Danby 2nd Asst. Chief • Jethro Forbes, Danby 3rd Asst. Chief • Derek Dougherty, Danby Lieutenant • Ivan Ross, Danby Lieutenant • Simon Wyatt, Danby Lieutenant Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve Danby Line Officers for 2026 as follows: Danby: Chief John Gaden; 1st Asst. Chief Daniel Saracino; 2nd Asst. Chief Peter Goodman; 3rd Asst. Chief Jethro Forbes; Lieutenant Derek Dougherty; Lieutenant Ivan Ross; Lieutenant Simon Wyatt. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. The following line officers were elected on December 11, 2025: • Robert McCray, West Danby Chief • Kenneth VanEtten, West Danby 1st Asst. Chief • Scott Wendt, West Danby 2nd Asst. Chief • Samantha VanEtten, West Danby 3rd Asst. Chief • Shawn Wendt, West Danby Lieutenant Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve West Danby Line Officers for 2026 as follows: West Danby: Chief Robert McCray; 1st Asst. Chief Kenneth VanEtten; 2nd Asst. Scott Wendt; Chief 3rd Assistant Chief; Samantha VanEtten; Lieutenant Shawn Wendt. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Privilege of the Floor: none • RESOLUTION 1.1 BE IT RESOLVED that the regular meetings of the Danby Fire District will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at the Danby Fire Station, 1780 Danby Road, Town of Danby, New York 14850, The location and time of the meeting may be changed by further resolution of the Board of Fire Commissioners upon proper notification to the local media of such change. Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to adopt Resolution 1.1. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.2 • BE IT RESOLVED that Sharon E. Gaden is hereby appointed Secretary of the Danby Fire District. Said Secretary is also appointed the Public Information Officer of the Danby Fire District. The salary for the Secretary position is fixed as budgeted for the year. The Secretary will take the Oath of Office at the Danby Town Hall. Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to adopt Resolution 1.2. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.3 • BE IT RESOLVED that Bonnie Hart is hereby appointed Treasurer of the Danby Fire District. The salary for the Treasurer position is fixed as budgeted for the year. The Treasurer will take the Oath of Office at the Danby Town Hall and file the Undertaking/Surety Bond with the Town Clerk Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to adopt Resolution 1.3. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.3a • BE IT RESOLVED that Sharon E. Gaden is hereby appointed Deputy Treasurer of the Danby Fire District. The salary for the Deputy Treasurer position is fixed as budgeted for the year. The Deputy Treasurer will take the Oath of Office at the Danby Town Hall. Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to adopt Resolution 1.3a. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.4 • BE IT RESOLVED that the Ithaca Journal is designated Official Newspaper of the Danby Fire District. The Danby News and Danby Town News will also be notified when time allows. These publications are in general circulation within the Danby Fire District. Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Westmiller, to adopt Resolution 1.4. A roll call vote was taken, KA: Absent, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.5 • BE IT RESOLVED that the Danby Fire District continue with Tompkins Trust Company and Chemung Canal Trust Company as the District’s banks and NYCLASS as District’s investment company. Commissioner Griggs made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Westmiller, to adopt Resolution 1.5. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.6 • BE IT RESOLVED that the Danby Fire District will maintain membership in the following organizations: • Association of Fire District of the State of New York (A.F.D.S.N.Y.); • Southern Tier Region Fire District Association and/or Central Region Fire Districts Commissioner Westmiller made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to adopt Resolution 1.6. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.7 • BE IT RESOLVED that the Danby Fire District will support membership by the Chiefs in the following Organization: • New York State Association of Fire Chiefs • Tompkins County Chiefs Association Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to adopt Resolution 1.7. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.8 • BE IT RESOLVED that Steven Shahan, Esq. of Taddeo & Shahan, LLP is hereby appointed attorney for the Danby Fire District for the year 2026. Commissioner Griggs made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to adopt Resolution 1.8. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 1.9 • BE IT RESOLVED that the Treasurer of the Danby Fire District is authorized to pay in advance of an audit by this Board of Fire Commissioners of the Danby Fire District the following claims. Such claims must be presented to the next meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Danby Fire District for audit: • Utility payments to NYSEG (natural gas only), Town of Danby (electricity), Verizon, and Spectrum. • Fuel payments for stations to Griffith Energy and E&V Energy. • Payments to West Danby Water District. • Postage payments to the U.S. Postmaster. • Fixed salaries. • Compensation for services of officers or employees regularly engaged by the fire district at agreed wages by the hour, day, week, month, or year. • Any other expenditures allowed by either Town or State Law. • BE IT RESOLVED that the Treasurer of the Danby Fire District is authorized to pay only upon approval of this Board of Fire Commissioners of the Danby Fire District on the following claims: • Fuel payments for vehicles to Danby Town Highway Department, Mirabito and Wex Fleet Universal. • Insurance payments for approved policies. • Payments to VISA (Cardmember Service) and Staples (Staples Charge Plan). • Payments for approved contracts; and • Other District regularly approved day-to-day payments. Commissioner Griggs made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, to adopt Resolution 1.9. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. • RESOLUTION 2.0 • BE IT RESOLVED that the Treasurer of the Danby Fire District is hereby authorized within sixty days after the end of the fiscal year to submit to this Board of Fire Commissioners a copy of the annual report required by General Municipal Law Section 30, in lieu of a written statement showing receipts and disbursements for the preceding fiscal year. This authorization shall remain in effect until rescinded by this Board of Fire Commissioners. Commissioner Freedman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, to adopt Resolution 2.0. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Absent, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 4 aye 1 absent. The following committees were appointed: PURCHASING Commissioner Westmiller, Chair Chiefs BLDGS/GROUNDS: Commissioner Oltz, Co-Chair Commissioner Westmiller, Co-Chair Chiefs INSURANCE: Commissioner Freedman, Co-Chair Commissioner Griggs, Co-Chair Treasurer Hart TRUCKS: Commissioner Oltz, Co-Chair Commissioner Westmiller, Co-Chair Chiefs TOWN BOARD: Commissioner Faehndrich, Co-Chair Commissioner Griggs, Co-Chair RECORDS: Secretary Gaden POLICY: Commissioner Faehndrich, Co-Chair Commissioner Griggs, Co-Chair Chiefs AUDIT: Treasurer Hart Commissioner Freedman MEMBERSHIP & Commissioner Faehndrich, Co-Chair TRAINING Commissioner Oltz, Co-Chair Secretary Gaden Chiefs and 1 member from each Fire Company LONG RANGE Commissioner Faehndrich, Co-Chair PLANNING Commissioner Freedman, Co-Chair BUDGET: Treasurer Hart Commissioners Chiefs GRANTS: Commissioner Freedman, Co-Chair Commissioner Griggs, Co-Chair Chiefs Treasurer Hart TECH: Commissioner Faehndrich, Co-Chair Treasurer Hart (Commissioner Faehndrich came in) Commissioner Freedman moved to continue domain name, seconded by Commissioner Griggs, A roll call vote was taken, KF: Aye, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 5 aye 0 no. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve all current policies reviewed October, November and December of 2025 individually by policy committee members and the Board of Fire Commissioners and to review all policies by December 31, 2026., seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. A roll call vote was taken, KF: Aye, JF: Aye, CG: Aye, MO: Aye, WW: Aye and motion carried 5 aye 0 no. Oath of Office administered to the Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs on January 13, 2026, by Commissioner Westmiller. Absent Jethro Forbes and Simon Wyatt Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.. Sharon Gaden Secretary