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Home My WebLink About26-03-10 Fire District Minutes draft DRAFT DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING March 10, 2026 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Kevin Faehndrich Joseph Freedman (Absent) Charlotte Griggs (Absent) 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 February 10, 2026, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on February 24, 2026, for posting to Town’s website and posted on District Website. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 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 • AFR Complete and submitted 2/24/26 • Bond Payment Due $31,907.48– Fulton Savings Bank (Due 4/1/24) • Bond Payment Due $30611.25 – Tioga State Bank (Due 4/10/24) Commissioner Faehndrich moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Communications: • March Danby Town News • March Danby News • HSC Associates notice for servicing of heating/AC units • Annual CAFDA Conference 2026 – April 9-April 11 in Lake George • Email from PERMA – March monthly newsletter • Email from PERMA – Annual Conference May 14 & 15 at Turning Stone • Email from NYCLASS – tax season is here, invest with NYCLASS • Email from NYS Archives newsletter • Email from NYCLASS – Tariff Seesaw leaves market participants struggling to stay one step ahead • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – Association newsletter. • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – 2026 Fire & Life Safety Educator’s Training Series • Email from NYS Archives – webinar – LGRMIF Grants Kickoff Meeting • Email from PERMA 2026 Annual Member Conference to recognize Danby Fire District for 20-year PERMA membership • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs 120th Annual Conference & Fire 2026 Expo June 10-13 the Oncenter, Syracuse • Association of Fire District Affairs – February & March 2026 news bulletin emailed to commissioners, treasurer & chiefs. Privilege of the Floor: NONE APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 3-A $10,630.63 claims 47-62 and on Operating Account Abstract 3-B $84,878.99 claims 63-77. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. CHIEF’S REPORTS: DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for February was received. • Submitted letter from Fire Company secretary with members approved on a probationary level at the March 9, 2026, company meeting: Lacey Gardner, Kaarthik Kommineni, George Akitas. Also, automatic mutual aid members: Erin Soltano and Graham Wholers. • Station Usage: 03/11/26 ICSD meeting; 03/13/26 Red Cross blood drive; 03/15/26 last pancake breakfast; 04/18/26 Tree Nut Growers Association meeting; 05/02/26 Danby Resiliency Fair; 05/23/26 Plant Exchange under the pavilion. • Training Request: E. Marx Tompkins County Emergency Medical Teaching Day on 03/26 at TC-3 requesting $25.00 registration fee. G. Jakubson Tompkins County Emergency Medical Teaching Day on 03/26 at TC-3 not requesting any reimbursement; E. Marx and M. Metz Rescue Tech Basic class in Seneca County 04/02/26 thru 04/13/26 requesting $429.20 for mileage reimbursement (need to carpool); S. Sauer NYS Officer Development – Company Training & Community Risk Reduction – next Fire Officer I module at Tompkins County Fire Training Center 04/18/26 – 04/25/26, requesting $72.50 for mileage reimbursement. • Baby changing tables installed in each restroom. • EMS supplies are being ordered. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept the station usage on 03/11/26 ICSD meeting; 03/13/26 Red Cross blood drive; 03/15/26 last pancake breakfast; 04/18/26 Tree Nut Growers Association meeting; 05/02/26 Danby Resiliency Fair; 05/23/26 Plant Exchange under the pavilion. Commissioner Westmiller seconded the motion. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept Lacey Gardner, Kaarthik Kommineni and George Akitas as new members pending satisfactory physicals. Approved Erin Soltano and Graham Wholers as automatic mutual aid members. Commissioner Oltz seconded the motion. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to accept training request for E. Marx Tompkins County Emergency Medical Teaching Day on 03/26 at TC-3 requesting $25.00 registration fee. G. Jakubson Tompkins County Emergency Medical Teaching Day on 03/26 at TC- 3 not requesting any reimbursement; E. Marx and M. Metz Rescue Tech Basic class in Seneca County 04/02/26 thru 04/13/26 requesting $429.20 for mileage reimbursement (need to carpool); S. Sauer NYS Officer Development – Company Training & Community Risk Reduction – next Fire Officer I module at Tompkins County Fire Training Center 04/18/26 – 04/25/26, requesting $72.50 for mileage reimbursement. Commissioner Westmiller seconded motion. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. WDFC: (NONE) • Secretary received training from FF N. Dyson-Hudson to attend 2026 Annual Fireline Refresher WCT and Fire Shelter Training in Hammondsport FD on March 27, 2026. No registration fee and no request for mileage. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept training request for N. Dyson-Hudson for 2026 Annual Fireline Refresher WCT and Fire Shelter Training in Hammondsport FD on March 27, 2026. No registration fee and no request for mileage. Commissioner Westmiller seconded the motion. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller obtained 1 quote from Cintas for hydrotesting on hood system at West Danby station in the amount of $1,075.00 Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve the bid from Cintas in the amount of $1,075.00 to hydrotest hood system at West Danby. Commissioner Oltz seconded the motion. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. • Commissioner Westmiller contacted Climate Control about Danby’s hood system still not working correctly. He will reach out to them again. GRANTS: NONE Motion by Commissioner Westmiller, seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich, to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Notice of Claim served upon Fire District. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. Present: Commissioners Faehndrich, Oltz and Westmiller, Secretary S. Gaden, Treasurer Hart and Fire Chief Gaden. Motion by Commissioner Westmiller, seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich, to end the Executive Session and to proceed with open session. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. The Board returned to open session at 7:24 p.m. Those present: Commissioners Faehndrich, Oltz and Westmiller, Secretary S. Gaden, Treasurer Hart and Fire Chief Gaden. INSURANCE: • Treasurer Hart requested approval of the Life Insurance. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the payment of $13,102.56 for life insurance. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. TECH: • Ben from Computer Room will be at the West Danby fire station on March 24th to begin installing Starlink. TRUCKS: NONE TOWN BOARD: NONE RECORDS: NONE POLICY: • Commissioner Faehndrich gave an update on the Fire District Affairs Report received for February – March 2026; mileage reimbursement is $.725. Real Property exemption was a topic in the report. Membership/Training: • Mandatory Physicals April 13, 2026. Chiefs were emailed the sign-up sheets; 1 WD member still needs to pick up confidential pre-physical letter. LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE AUDIT: • Treasurer Hart submitted the 2026 Stokes, Visca, Hucko & Barone, LLC external audit of the Fire District records from 01/01/25 through 12/31/25. BUDGET: • Treasurer Hart reported Tax Levy of $611,000.00 was received from the Town of Danby. OLD BUSINESS: • Discussion on transferring funds from Contingency Account to General Account to pay for the projector and installation at Danby Fire Station. Chief Gaden reported they contact 4 companies; Computer Room (does not do this type of work), Audio Video Corp (no response), Visual Technologies (no response) and Audio Chef LLC who gave an estimate of $5,040.00 and require 60% deposit for the hardware and installation. Commissioner Westmiller moved to transfer up to $5,040.00 from Contingency Account into General Account to pay Audio Chef LLC for projector, screen, hardware, and installation in the meeting at the Danby Fire Station. Commissioner Faehndrich seconded and adopted by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Faehndrich – Aye; Commissioner Freedman – Absent; Commissioner Griggs – Absent; Commissioner Oltz – Aye; and Commissioner Westmiller – Aye. • Discussion held on transfer of funds to reserves. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to transfer from General Account funds as follows: $25,000.00 to Apparatus Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve and $25,000.00 to the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account. Commissioner Oltz seconded and adopted by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Faehndrich – Aye; Commissioner Freedman – Absent; Commissioner Griggs – Absent; Commissioner Oltz – Aye; and Commissioner Westmiller – Aye. • Discussion held on tax paid on food for the January OSHA training. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay the sales tax from the January OSHA training receipt submitted for food. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. 3 yes 0 no. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: NONE APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay John Mills Electric $1,120.58 for the removal of the power cord to the siren at West Danby. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to pay Knox Company $584.00 for the lockbox annual subscription. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to pay Meridian Fire Training Solutions, LLC $795.00 for Fireground Boss training. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Oltz made a motion to pay Kinsley $1,002.32 for Level 2 service at both stations. Treasurer Hart will confirm both services were Level 2. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay Shawn Wendt $104.44 for the keys and locks he purchased at Lowes for the West Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay Wilcox Building Specialties $894.00 for 2 baby changing tables and installation at Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay Alarmtech $1,235.88 for the annual testing at both fire stations. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay Law Office of Mark Butler $891.00 for his last invoice regarding his legal services. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay James Publishing $467.80 for 2 District Officer Guides and 1 digital version of the Officer Guide. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay Starlink $65.00 for monthly service. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to pay McKesson $467.42 for EMS supplies for Danby Volunteer Fire Company. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve the purchase of two 2.5” gated Wyes from Firematic for Danby Station up to $1,408.54. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Oltz made a motion to approve the purchase of 5” Storz Siamese fitting from Firematic for Danby Station up to $1,352.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve the purchase of 8 fire helmets up to $3,600.00 for Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve 5 Command Boards up to $925.00 for Danby Chiefs and one for the engine. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve the purchase of 12 sets of extrication and fire cloves up to $1,800.00 for Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the purchase of 5 pagers through Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response under State contract at the cost of $2,250.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve to allow any new Danby or West Danby members that are approved by the fire companies prior to April 13th, to sign-up for a physical through Occustar on April 13, 2026. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve the purchase of four 10’ 6” suction hose up to $2,800.00 for Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the purchase of a monitor with HDMI chord from Staples or Amazon up to $125.00 for Chief Gaden. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. Next Meeting date and time: • 03/24/26 at 6:30 – cancelled • 04/14/26 at 6:30 – regular meeting Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary DANBY FIRE DISTRICT RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT A3410.9 TO H3410-12 ACCOUNT RESOLUTION 2026-03-10.1 WHEREAS The Danby Fire District has established a Contingency Account A3410.9 and has funds available; WE RESOLVE to transfer up to $5,040.00 from Contingency Account A3410.9 into H3410.12 Account to pay Audio Chef LLC for projector, screen, hardware, and installation in the meeting room at the Danby Fire Station. Commissioner Westmiller moved, Commissioner Faehndrich seconded, and adopted by the following vote: Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Absent Commissioner Griggs Absent Commissioner Oltz Aye Commissioner Westmiller Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners on March 10, 2026. _____________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District DANBY FIRE DISTRICT RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM A3410.9 CONTINGENCY TO A9901.9 TRANSFER TO RESERVE ACCOUNT RESOLUTION 2026-03-10.2 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 2026 to A9901.9 Transfer to Reserve Account as follows: $25,000.00 (Twenty-Five Thousand) to the Apparatus Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve and $25,000.00 (Twenty-Five Thousand) to the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account. Commissioner Faehndrich moved, Commissioner Oltz seconded, and the Board of Fire Commissioners voted as follows: Name: Voting: Aye or Nay: Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Absent Commissioner Griggs Absent Commissioner Oltz Aye Commissioner Westmiller Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted. March 10, 2026 _____________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District