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Home My WebLink About26-02-10 Fire District Minutes DRAFT DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING February 10, 2026 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Kevin Faehndrich (Absent) Joseph Freedman Charlotte Griggs Marvin Oltz Wayne Westmiller Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief (Absent) Call to Order Minutes: Preliminary minutes for January 13, 2026, Organizational Meeting and the January 13, 2026, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on January 21, 2026, for posting to Town’s website and posted on District Website. Commissioner Freedman moved to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2026, Organizational Meeting and the January 13, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 4 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 • CD – Chemung Renewed 6 months 3.55% Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Communications: • February edition of Danby News • February edition of Danby Town News • Email from J. Forbes about March 2nd training for members and commissioners are invited “Contamination Reduction and Cancer Prevention” • Email from PERMA with January monthly bulletin • Email from PERMA online claim filing walkthrough • Email from DMV: changes to Lens system are coming soon • Email from Fire Rescue Systems regarding Web-Based MDT software • Email from PERMA with February monthly bulletin • Email from NYS Archives Local Government Newsletter • Email from M. Butler with response to Auditors • Email from PERMA regarding online claim filing webinar recording • Email from AFDSNY “Ready or Not” 2026 Mini Summit March 27 & 28 in White Plains NY • Email from AFDSNY 2026 Edward “Ned” Carter Scholarship deadline • Email from P. VanDeBogart asking to put a news item on the electronic sign board. Privilege of the Floor: NONE APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Griggs moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 2-A $27,800.03 claims 27-43 and on Operating Account Abstract 2-B $6,739.00 claims 44-46. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. CHIEF’S REPORTS: DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for January was received. • Submitted 5 applications to the Fire District secretary for background checks on potential new members. 2 will • Station Usage: 02/15/26 pancake breakfast; 02/20/26 Red Cross blood drive; 02/21/26 Sharon Gaden for Celebration of Life. • Training Request: C. Dworken will be attending BEFO in Tompkins County instead of Cortland. Jackson Strong would like to take BEFO in Tompkins County, begins February 24, 2026. • 5 keys for lockbox in truck bay were being returned to Ace Locksmith as none of them worked. • 401 fittings ceased together, need to order 2. • Hood vent in the kitchen was fixed by Climate Control, motor was wired backwards. • Generators were serviced today, Danby had a full service and West Danby had a partial service, when they return in 6 months service will be reversed. • Projector for meeting room: Chief Gaden several companies were contacted. Only one company, Link Multimedia submitted a quote/estimate to install a projector in the meeting room at the Danby Station. Discussion held on transferring funds from Contingency prior to payment of invoice. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve $5,000.00 to purchase the projector, hardware, and installation at the Danby Fire Station. Commissioner Griggs seconded the motion. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Commissioner Griggs moved to accept the station usage on 02/15/26 pancake breakfast; 02/20/26 Red Cross blood drive; 02/21/26 Sharon Gaden for Celebration of Life. Commissioner Westmiller seconded the motion. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to accept training request for C. Dworken to attend BEFO class in Tompkins County instead of Cortland County (which will result in a lesser amount of mileage reimbursement) and to approve J. Strong to attend BEFO class in Tompkins County upon submission of completed training form. Commissioner Griggs seconded motion. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. WDFC: • Written report for January was emailed. • Benjamin Lovelace of 323 Melody Lane, Newfield, NY was voted in as a probationary member. Fire Company secretary needs to submit letter to Fire District secretary • Station Usage: 03/07/26 Shannon Lynch for a birthday party; 03/14/26 WD pancake breakfast; 03/28/26 WD Easter Egg Hunt; and 04/25/26 chicken BBQ at the Eagles Club in Ithaca Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to accept station usage requests: Station Usage: 03/07/26 Shannon Lynch for a birthday party; 03/14/26 WD pancake breakfast; 03/28/26 WD Easter Egg Hunt; and 04/25/26 chicken BBQ at the Eagles Club in Ithaca. Commissioner Freedman seconded the motion. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Commissioner Westmiller moved to accept Benjamin Lovelace as a new member of the Danby Fire District pending completion of a satisfactory physical. Commissioner Griggs seconded the motion. 4 yes 0 no. Motion carried. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller reported the electric to the West Danby siren was removed. • During the inspection of the Fire Suppression in the kitchen at the West Danby Station it was noted that the cylinder needed to be tested. Commissioner Westmiller will contact the company for a quote. GRANTS: • Chief Gaden has no update on Wildland grant. • Commissioner Freedman reported the 2025 NY Volunteer grant is being worked on and will be submitting for boiler replacement at Danby Fire Station and paving repairs at Danby Fire Station. INSURANCE: • Commissioner Freedman he has asked Treasurer Hart to schedule a seminar with insurance representatives and the members of both fire companies for some time in June. Chief Gaden said June 1st would work for Danby. • Chiefs need to respond to Secretary Gaden’s email about life insurance and members status. TECH: NONE TRUCKS: • Chief Gaden reported 442 will be going to Admiral Specialty to have modifications done to fit in new Stokes basket and a new outlet installed. Work was already pre-approved • 1421 – Treasurer Hart received a bill from Ward’s Apparatus. Not all work has been done, still needs a new cluster. We still need pump test report. • 1443 has a Special Field Action recall notification TOWN BOARD: • Treasurer Hart received notice from the Town’s Bookkeeper that the tax levy check will be here February 17th. RECORDS: • 2026 Fire Peace Officers Report was completed and electronically filed with New York State • PERMA form SH-900.1 was completed and posted at both stations. Must stay posted until 04/30/26 and then returned to Fire District Secretary • Policies 9, 11 and 13 were posted at each station. These must remain posted. • List of members eligible for the Volunteer Firefighters Workers Exemption for 2026 was sent to TC Assessment Dept. • Attended training on Duties & Deadline “To Do or Not To Do” through AFDSNY • Notice of Meetings was sent to media, Town Clerk, posted at stations, posted on website, and published in Ithaca Journal. • Met with NYS Archives Records Advisor Maria McCashion • Microsoft Teams meeting with McNeil Insurance Representative regarding OSHA online assignments and District Policies being added to site. • NYS training records for fire companies were received and are being reviewed. • LENS report received Policy: • Fire District Affairs Report (Com. Faehndrich) - NONE Membership/Training: • Mandatory Physicals April 13, 2026. Emails sent to Chiefs regarding changing date of company business meetings; pre- physical confidential letters; and sign-up sheets will be coming LONG RANGE PLAN: • Com. Freedman reported it is done and the auditors have it. AUDIT: • Com. Freedman gave a brief update. BUDGET: NONE OLD BUSINESS: • Will be going out to bid on concrete work at both stations and flooring at West Danby Station. • Will also be going out to bid on lawn mowing at both stations. • Discussion held on snow removal from around dry hydrants. • Discussion held on purchase of tank from E&V • Discussion held on tech support for finishing the get .gov website. NEW BUSINESS: NONE APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to pay Starlink $25.00 invoice. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to pay Climate Control $1,371.70 for fixing heat in new apparatus bay at Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to pay Stokes, Visca, Hucko & Barone, CPAs, LLC $7,450.00 for the 2026 audit of 2025 records. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to pay Cintas $460.00 for semiannual kitchen suppression inspections at both fire stations. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to pay HSC $300.00 for gas furnace repair at West Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the purchase of gaskets and wrenches for 401 from Fire End and Crocker, in the amount of 599.58. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Griggs moved to approve the purchase of 2 small SCBA face masks from Churchville, in the amount of $960.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve 6 sets of turnout gear from Fire End in the amount of $22,779.40 for Danby Fire Department, this is under State Contract. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the payment to Tenkate for grant writing of $1,000.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve up to $200.00 for Derek Dougherty to assist the Fire District Secretary in completing the .gov website for the Fire District. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Next Meeting date and time: • 02/24/26 at 6:30 – to be cancelled • 03/10/26 at 6:30 - Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary