HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-07-28 Fire District Minutes
DRAFT
DANBY FIRE DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
July 28, 2026
Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS:
Kevin Faehndrich (late)
Joseph Freedman
Charlotte Griggs
Marvin Oltz
Wayne Westmiller
Sharon Gaden, Secretary, Deputy Treasurer
John Gaden, Danby Fire Chief
Robert McCray, West Danby Fire Chief
Ken VanEtten, West Danby 1st Asst Chief
Call to Order by Chairman Westmiller at 6:31 p.m.
Minutes: Preliminary minutes for July 14, 2026, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on July 27, 2026, for posting to
Town’s website and posted on District Website.
Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner
Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no.
Treasurer’s Report: NONE
Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes
0 no.
Approval of Bills:
Commissioner Griggs moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 7-B $22,076.19 claims 186-
192. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Carried 4 yes 0 no.
(Commissioner Faehndrich came in)
Communications:
• Chief Gaden received an email from J. Derouchie, Field Representative – Underwriting Solutions regarding ISO survey.
• Guthrie has asked for updated information for fire district regarding occupational physicals.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve Secretary Gaden providing updated information to Guthrie and to continue to use
Guthrie as a back up place for firefighter physicals. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
• Commissioner Westmiller went over email response from Town Supervisor J. Gagnon regarding Permits for
special events.
• Secretary Gaden discussed email from Central Region of Association of Fire Districts and asked to attend meeting
on August 24th.
Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to allow Secretary Gaden and Chief Gaden, if he wants to, to attend the training on August
24th in Mattydale and to reimburse Secretary Gaden for mileage. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 5 yes
0 no.
Privilege of the Floor: NONE
CHIEF’S REPORTS:
DVFC: (Chief Gaden)
• Meeting with ISO representative August 6th. Will need information from Fire District.
• Rescue Tools service agreement received from Jerome Fire Equipment, sole source. For 2 years it is $894.00 per year. They
will do all tools in the district.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to accept 2-year contract with Jerome Fire Equipment, sole source for servicing of the type of
Rescue Tools the Fire District has, cost is $894.00 per year. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 5 yes 0
no.
• Had a medical emergency on July 27th training at the Candor Training Center. Firefighter B. Bowman. Treasurer Hart has
submitted paperwork to PERMA.
• Need to purchase antennas for portable radios from Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response. Have had some
break off.
• Annual Hose, Ladder and Hard Suction Units testing is scheduled for October 13th through October 15th for both stations.
• Ward’s Apparatus will start preventative maintenance testing in August and are award of hose, ladder testing dates.
WDFC: (Chief McCray
• Reported a probationary member, B. Lovelace, was injured collecting scrape for their fundraiser. Paperwork has been filled
out for PERMA.
COMMITTEES:
PURCHASING: NONE
BUILDING/GROUNDS:
• Commissioner Westmiller reported Cintas will be testing fire extinguishers at both stations on July 29th.
• Commissioner Westmiller reported the time to submit a bid for floor and concrete work at both stations is not yet up.
• Chief McCray would like to purchase a riser lid for the tank in the side yard at the West Danby Station. He was asked to get
quotes.
• Commissioner Westmiller, Chief Gaden and Treasurer Hart all reported on Lowe’s Soft Water Service and the water at the
Danby Fire Station. A sample from the hand-wash sink in the kitchen was taken for testing. Other areas of the station seem to
be getting better. Need to add salt to Culligan tank. Will come back yearly to do annual service of the system.
GRANTS:
• Chief Gaden emailed Commissioner Freedman an idea to purchase new nozzles. Currently have 20-year-old nozzles and he priced out new style at
$1,700.00 each. To replace all of them would be approximately $42,400.00. Discussion held.
INSURANCE:
• Commissioner Freedman reported we received a dividend check from PERMA for $3,900.00 and it will be used for reduction of
insurance expenses.
TECH:
• Computer Room updated Starlink at West Danby Station. Restriction of bandwidth by guest users, network and device
updated.
TRUCKS
• Chief McCray reported Steve Cortright from the Truck Committee would like to attend August meeting to discussion information he has on a
replacement for 1421.
TOWN BOARD: NONE
RECORDS:
• Secretary Gaden reminded Chiefs she needs copies of all CPR cards and Driver’s Licenses.
POLICY:
• Secretary Gaden reported looking into a new policy about electronic receipts of policies for the membership.
MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: NONE
LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE
AUDIT: NONE
BUDGET:
• Workshop to follow
Commissioner Faehndrich moved to set the Budget Hearing for the 2027 Budget for October 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. and to set a
Special Meeting for the Board of Fire Commissioners to follow the Budget Hearing on October 20, 2026. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED:
Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve purchasing 4 gallons of gear wash from Fire Store at the cost of $257.92. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve purchasing 6 replacement antennas from Tompkins County DOER up to $180.00.
Motions seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve the payment to Mc Kesson Medical for EMS supplies in the amount of $162.92. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the payment of Computer Room’s invoice of $130.00 for work done at West
Danby Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the payment of bond with Homeland Security in the amount of $19,244.14. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 5 yes 0 no.
Next Meeting date and time:
• 08/11/26 at 6:30 – regular meeting
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Gaden Secretary