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HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-09-08 Fire District Minutes DRAFT DANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING September 8, 2026 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Kevin Faehndrich Joseph Freedman (Absent) 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 August 11, 2026, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on August 24, 2026, for posting to Town’s website and posted on District Website. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no (Com. Faehndrich not present to vote). Treasurer’s Report: • Emailed Financial Reports to Commissioners/Secretary/Chiefs o Balance Sheet o Profit and Loss o Equipment (100/200) o Fuel • Bank statement for Chemung Canal Trust Company reconciled • Pay Interest on 453K Bond (due 10/1/25) $1699.21 (approved in voucher) • Pay Interest on 540K Bond (Due 10/10/25) $3611.25 (approved in voucher) Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. (Com. Faehndrich not present to vote). Communications: • Email from NYS Archives • Email from PERMA Safe & Sound Week • Email from PERMA Points Vendors • Email from Westmere Fire Dept – 09/26/26 New York Women in Fire Day (flyer in Chiefs folders) • Email from US Fire Services: Stay Safe: NFPA Certified Gear (email forwarded to Chiefs) • Email NYS Association of Fire Chiefs Seminar Series: Dangerous Spaces (email forwarded to Chiefs) • Email from D. Perkins at Colden Enterprises • Email from G. Jakubson Danby EMS Director Discussion held on request for immunization records. Decision to ask attorney for fire district for legal opinion. • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs Regional Hands-On Training • Email from PERMA Safety Tip Tuesday • Email from AFDSNY Survey on Fire Apparatus Pricing and Delivery (forwarded to Com. Westmiller) • Email from NYCLASS Collateral Report • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – PERMA Apply for our Firefighter Grant for gear washer & dryers • Email from NYSAFC Bugle Association News (forwarded to Com. Faehndrich) • Email from NYS Archives online seminar notification • Email from NYS Archives Newsletter • Email from NYCLASS Month-End Statement • Email from PERMA September Monthly Newsletter • Email from AFDSNY 2026 Annual Meeting & Vendor Expo 10/08-10/10 Saratoga Hilton & City Center • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – Firefighter Wellness Seminar Series • Email from Town Clerk regarding Fire District Election Records Discussion held on request from Town Clerk regarding disposal of pollbooks. Decision to request opportunity to review boxes. • Email from Central Region of Fire District Association – 10/17/26 Educational Seminar at Cicero Fire District. Topics: Combination Fire Departments, insurance issues, district elections, issues, and problems. $20 each, no cost for Fire Chief(s) Discussion held on topics and who would like to attend. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve Commissioner Westmiller, Secretary Gaden, and Chief Gaden to attend Central Region Educational Seminar on October 17, 2026, at the Cicero Fire District. Cost of $40.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 3 yes 0 no. (Commissioner Faehndrich not present to vote). Privilege of the Floor: NONE (Commissioner Faehndrich arrived) APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Westmiller moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 9-A $11,446.61, claims 216-230; Abstract 9-B $4,278.13 claims 231-239. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. CHIEF’S REPORTS: DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for August was received. • 2 possibly 3 new prospective members. • Training request by Lyndsey Cobb-Wilkins to take BEFO training in Watkins Glen, NY, more compatible with her work schedule, 08/26/26 through 11/10/26, will likely turn in request for milage when she has completed the class. Training request by George Akritas to take BEFO blended learning class in Tompkins County from 09/10/26 through 11/14/26 if they get enough people to sign up. • Station usage: Danby Resilience Fair Committee for October 3, 2026. • Joint training with Candor FD, and Newark Valley FD through Meridian on grain bin rescue to be held October 10th or 17th at Newark Valley Fire Department. We will split the cost. Voucher in abstract for approval. • Cascade 6 bottle system has been being filled by the County’s Airport team. The County does not plan to replace their truck when it breaks down. Chief Gaden has spoken to Brooktondale, Newfield, and Candor Fire Departments on where they obtained their inhouse cascade systems. Brooktondale and Newfield applied for FEMA grants. • Instead of purchasing a laptop for the EMTs to submit E-PCRs they purchased a desktop for the radio room in the bay, it was cheaper. • Ordered the last 2 sets of EMS gear, previously approved. • Would like to purchase salt for the water system and a new handle for the toilet in the Women’s restroom at Lowes. • We previously had a Fire and EMS mutual aid agreement, but the County determined they should be separate mutual aid plans. • The application to use E-PCRs is being worked on. Purchase of new laptop was approved, however decision to purchase a desktop made more sense. There will be additional updates that will be needed in the future, such as carrying Narcan and possibly other equipment. • Door openers were ordered through Amazon. • Motion lights were installed and are operating. • Mark Speiser has resigned from the Fire Company. • Ward’s Apparatus had a structure fire at its place in Horseheads, may need to reschedule preventative maintenance/pump testing. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to agree to enter into an EMS Mutual Aid Plan with Tompkins County. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to let the Resilience Fair on October 3, 2026, be held at the Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the following training requests: 1) L. Cobb-Wilkins BEFO class in Watkins Glen 2) G. Akritas BEFO training in Tompkins County, reimbursement for mileage will be decided upon review of training form. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. WDFC: NONE COMMITTEES: PURCHASING: NONE (Commissioner Faehndrich had to leave) BUILDING/GROUNDS: • Commissioner Westmiller gave a brief update on concrete work at both stations and floor repairs at West Danby Fire Station. Discussion followed on resolution provided this afternoon by Attorney Shahan (copy attached). Commissioner Faehndrich moved to adopt a resolution to expend funds from Building procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve account to pay for necessary repairs to the concrete and replacement of trench drains at the Danby and West Danby fire stations. Commissioner Westmiller seconded. Roll call vote followed: Commissioner Faehndrich: Aye; Commissioner Freedman: Absent; Commissioner Griggs: Aye; Commissioner Oltz: Aye; Commissioner Westmiller: Aye. Resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners on September 8, 2026. GRANTS: • Grant has for nozzles was submitted. INSURANCE: NONE TECH: NONE TRUCKS: NONE TOWN BOARD: • Treasurer Hart reported she met with the new bookkeeper with the Town of Danby that will be overseeing the NYSEG/Solar and was informed we will be getting monthly statement. RECORDS: • Fit Testing – 09/14/26 is the make-up class • CPR Cards (update) • Retention/Grant for Management – January 2027 (tabled) • Gear washers – reminder for Chiefs to bring all paperwork to District Office. • AED Testing – need date for West Danby (Chief McCray is scheduling) POLICY: NONE MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Secretary Gaden gave update Mutual Aid Agreement with Vestal Fire District for M. Metz. • 2 members had physicals done with Guthrie LONG RANGE PLAN: NONE AUDIT: NONE BUDGET: • Received budget schedule from attorney Shahan OLD BUSINESS: NONE APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the request to purchase a desktop from Best Buy for reporting E-PCRs by Danby EMTs for up to $600.00. Motion seconded by Commissioner Oltz. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the payment of the Meridian Training invoice for $795.00 for rope rescue training Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to approve the payment of $101.66 through HIS for digital certification cards, requested by Danby EMS Director. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Oltz made a motion to approve to pay the additional cost of $503.84 owed to Pleasant Valley Electric for installing motion lights on the Danby Fire Station. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Griggs made a motion to approve Com. Westmiller, Secretary Gaden and Chief Gaden to attend the Central Region Fire District annual seminar on October 17, 2026, at the Cicero Fire Department. Cost for Com. Westmiller and Secretary Gaden is $20.00 each and Chief Gaden attends for free. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made the motion to approve up to $150.00 to purchase salt pellets for the water softener and a replacement handle for the toilet in the women’s restroom at the Danby Fire Station, to be purchased at Lowe’s. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller made the motion to approve the payment of $700.00 to the Newark Valley Fire Department/District for the joint training on grain bin rescue. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. NEW BUSINESS: • Secretary Gaden received a letter from Com. Westmiller to submit his name as a candidate for commissioner in 2027 for 5-year term. Next Meeting date and time: • 09/22/26 at 6:30 – regular meeting (maybe cancelled) • 10/13/26 at 6:30 – regular meeting Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary DANBY FIRE DISTRICT RESOLUTION TO EXPEND FUNDS FROM BUILDING PROCUREMENT, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT CAPITAL RESERVE ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE CONCRETE AND REPLACEMENT OF TRENCH DRAINS AT THE DANBY AND WEST DANBY FIRE STATIONS RESOLUTION 2026-09-08.1 WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Danby Fire District has determined in consultation with an architect that there is certain concrete repair work that must be performed at the Danby and West Danby Fire Stations including the replacement of trench drains as part of necessary renovation work along with a retrofit of epoxy floor coating at the West Danby Fire Station; and WHEREAS, in 2025 the Danby Fire District authorized the architectural firm of Jason K. Demerest Architecture to prepare specifications for the aforementioned necessary repair of concrete, replacement of trench drains and epoxy flooring; and WHEREAS, the Danby Fire District sought bids for the aforementioned work; and WHEREAS, the Danby Fire District received one bid in the amount of $174,971.33, and WHEREAS, Danby Fire District has received an estimate from its architect in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for miscellaneous architectural services related to the aforementioned work, and WHEREAS, the Danby Fire District has retained attorney Steven C. Shahan of Taddeo & Shahan, LLP for legal services related to the Danby and West Danby Building Renovation. NOW THEREFORE, the Danby Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners hereby resolves as follows: 1. That it is in the best interests of the Danby Fire District to perform the above referenced concrete repair, trench drain replacement and epoxy coating along with miscellaneous costs related thereto utilizing funds from the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account in an amount not to exceed $182,500.00. 2. The utilization of the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account for the aforementioned work is hereby authorized to an extent not to exceed $182,500.00 and upon the approval of this resolution pursuant to the permissive referendum, the board approves the transfer of funds from the Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account as necessary to pay the aforementioned approved amount. 3. Upon this resolution being adopted, the same shall be published in full in the Ithaca Journal, a newspaper having a general circulation in the Danby Fire District together with a notice from the Fire District Secretary in the form provided by Section 175 of the Town Law as amended. 4. This Resolution is adopted subject to a permissive referendum as set forth in General Municipal Law section 6(g)(7), as amended, and will not take effect until thirty (30) days after its adoption; or until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the electors of the Danby Fire District qualified to vote at an annual election of Fire District Officers, if within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the resolution, a petition in the form and content set forth in General Municipal Law section 6(g)(7), as amended, is filed with the Fire District Secretary said petition to be signed and acknowledged or proved in the same manner as a deed to recorded by resident taxpayers of the Danby Fire District owning taxable real property aggregating at least one-quarter of the assessed valuation of all the taxable real property of the Danby Fire District as such valuations appear upon the latest completed assessment roll of the town or towns in which said fire district is located, protesting against such resolution and requesting that it be submitted to the qualified electors of the fire district affected for their approval or disapproval. Commissioner Faehndrich moved, Commissioner Westmiller seconded, and the Board of Fire Commissioners voted as follows: Name: Voting: Aye or Nay: Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Absent Commissioner Griggs Aye Commissioner Oltz Aye Commissioner Westmiller Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners on September 8, 2026. _____________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District