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Home My WebLink About26-10-13 Fire District MinutesDANBY FIRE DISTRICT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING October 13, 2026 Commissioner Westmiller called the regular meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: OFFICERS: Kevin Faehndrich Joseph Freedman Charlotte Griggs Marvin Oltz (Absent) 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 September 8, 2026, Regular Meeting were sent to the Town Clerk on September 21, 2026, for posting to Town’s website and posted on District Website. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. 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. • NYCLASS Statement reviewed by Commissioner Freedman • SAM’S renewal submitted – Approved • Report received from PERMA – They are still waiting on a bill from Cayuga Medical • Letter from Verizon on phone service at West Danby Station – Waiting to hear how the service will be impacted. Discussion followed. Question raised on if a landline is required for a Fire Station and/or Red Cross shelter. • Tompkins Trust Company – Name Change – Tompkins Bank & Trust • Grant for nozzles deposited $14000.00 • Bills received from Town of Danby for Electric/Solar (5 Months) • 3Rd Qtr. – NYS 45 complete • 3rd Qtr. 941 complete Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Communications: • Email from Pete Kresock, Race Director. Notification of Danby Down & Dirty to be held 10/10/26 (forwarded to Commissioners and Chiefs) • Email from AFDSNY District Affairs (August/September) (forwarded to Commissioners, Treasurer, and Chiefs) • Danby Town News – October 2026 • Danby News – October 2026 • Affidavit of Publication for Resolution to expend funds from Building Procurement, Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Account regarding concrete work at both stations and floor repairs at West Danby • FirstNet Wireless network brochure • Email from attorney Shahan regarding vaccinations Discussion followed. Chief Gaden will talk to EMS Director G. Jakubson about attorney Shahan’s response. • Letter with check for grant received and receipt acknowledged. • Email from PERMA Fall into safety with PERMA resources • Email from PERMA Safety Tip Tuesday • Email from NYS Archives – monthly newsletter • Email from PERMA ICYMI: PERMA FIT Webinar • Email from NYCLASS with Month-End Statement • Email from PERMA October monthly newsletter • Email from NYS Chiefs Association with monthly newsletter • Email from Guthrie with new contact person • Email from NYS Archives webinar. • Email from Central Region – seminar is 10/17/26 at Cicero Fire Department 8 to 1 • Email from NYS Association of Fire Chiefs – virtual Roundtable discussion was held 09/30/26 • Email from PERMA – deadline for PERMA & NYSAFC grant extended • Proof of insurance for Red Cross up to July 2027 • Email from PERMA Firefighter Wellness with PERMA • Email from attorney Shahan regarding procurement policy (under Policies) • Email from AFDSNY Fire District Affairs (August and September) emailed to Commissioners, Chiefs and Treasurer Privilege of the Floor: NONE APPROVAL OF BILLS: Commissioner Faehndrich moved to pay the vouchers as audited and approved on Operating Account Abstract 10-A $7,712.92, claims 231-244; Abstract 10-B $10,592.17 claims 245-254. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. CHIEF’S REPORTS: DVFC: (Chief Gaden) • Written report for September was received. • 2 probationary members voted in 10/12/26 by the Fire Company. John Friedman and Mitchell Simon. • Station Usage: 10/28/26 for V. Freedman for Alumni meeting; 11/03/26 General Elections by Tompkins County Board of Elections; 12/29/26 C. Sczepanski for a baby shower. • Training request by E. Marx for surface water rescue I Horseheads on 10/31/26 and 11/01/26 (tabled). S. Wyatt confined space rescue in Seneca County at county training center on 11/06/26, 11/07/26, 11/13/26 and 11/4/26, is not asking for reimbursement. • 8 members completed Grain Bin Training through Meridian Fire Training solutions in Newark Valley on October 10, 2026 • Hen nozzles, the grant for $14,000.00 was received. Received 2 quotes – Colden Fire for $13,950.00 (free shipping) and First Out Rescue for $14,559.00 (unknown if shipping is included). Discussion held. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to accept the quote from Colden Fire in the amount of $13,950.00 for Hen Nozzles. Motion seconded by Commissioner Freedman. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. • Preventative maintenance and pump testing was done on 401 and 421. 401 had a light and 2 gauges replaced. 421 needed brake work. • Hose, ladder, and hard suction preventative maintenance for Danby was done today. West Danby’s will be done tomorrow. Danby had 25 feet of 5-inch hose fail. Roof ladder on tower failed, getting quotes from vendors. • Received quotes to repair 443 from Wink’s Body Shop and Admiral Specialty Vehicles. Treasurer Hart will submit them directly to Bang’s for reimbursement. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to accept John Friedman and Mitchell Simon as new members with pending satisfactory results of Firematic physicals. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to accept station usage at the Danby Fire Station as follows: 10/28/26 for V. Freedman for Alumni meeting; 11/03/26 General Elections by Tompkins County Board of Elections; 12/29/26 C. Sczepanski for a baby shower. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Westmiller moved to approve the following training requests: S. Wyatt confined space rescue in Seneca County at county training center on 11/06/26, 11/07/26, 11/13/26 and 11/4/26, is not asking for reimbursement. 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 reported the period for the public to request a permissive referendum regarding concrete work at both stations and repair of floors at West Danby has lapsed. He will sign the contract previously accepted with Bomak Contractors and contact the contractor to have it counter-signed so work can commence. At the time contract is signed twenty percent (20%) of the price is due. POLICY: • Commissioner Faehndrich gave a report on the District Affairs bulletin received; Piggyback, cancer insurance reporting coming up; commissioner training, injury reporting was highlighted. • Commissioners, Treasurer and Chiefs were given copies of a draft amendment to Policy #5, Procurement. Attorney Shahan had given his recommendation to amend the policy to include Piggybacking. Secretary has emailed attorney Shahan a resolution to review regarding Piggybacking. GRANTS: • Grant for nozzles was received. Commissioner Freedman explained the reason for the Resolution to Make Administrative Adjustment to the Budget when we receive grants, or other monies comes from the Office Comptroller with NYS, this is a reporting requirement. Commissioner Freedman moved to adopt resolution to increase the 2026 budget by $14,000.00 from receipt of grant for HEN Nozzles. Motion seconded by Commissioner Westmiller. Roll Call vote was taken: Com. Faehndrich: Aye; Com. Freedman: Aye; Com. Griggs: Aye; Com. Oltz: (absent); Com. Westmiller: Aye. Resolution duly adopted. INSURANCE: • Commissioner Freedman discussed cancer insurance rates are going to be $203.00. TECH: • Commissioner Faehndrich researched companies that offer telephone service in the West Danby area: Frontier, Haefele connect. He has sent Chief McCray and email. TRUCKS: • Per Commissioner Westmiller 1442 has been repaired. TOWN BOARD: • Treasurer Hart reported she met with the new bookkeepers with the Town of Danby and explained how she reviews the bills. RECORDS: • Fit Testing – Secretary Gaden is reviewing to confirm everyone has been tested. • CPR Cards – Secretary Gaden reported there are few members that still need to do CPR. • 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). Commissioner Westmiller will follow up with Chief McCray. POLICY: NONE MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING: • Chief Gaden will put in for mileage for him, Secretary Gaden and Commissioner Westmiller attending Central NY Fire District Association training on October 17, 2026, in Cicero. LONG RANGE PLAN: • Commissioner Freedman this is being worked on. AUDIT: • Commissioner Freedman reported the auditors will be beginning their preliminary work soon. Per Treasurer Hart inventory needs to be completed as soon as possible. Secretary Gaden will contact Chief McCray to work on the West Danby inventory. BUDGET: • Public Hearing is October 20, 2026, with Special Meeting to follow. OLD BUSINESS: • Discussion held on Fire Commissioner elections. Commissioner Freedman made a motion to set the date for Fire Commissioner Elections as December 8, 2026, with poll site to be Danby Fire Station and poll will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. • Election board discussed. Commissioner Faehndrich moved to set the Board of Fire Commissioners Fire District elections for December 8, 2026. Motion seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. Commissioner Faehndrich made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-10-13.2 designating the following Fire District Board of Election for 2026 Fire District Election to be held December 8, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Danby Fire Station located at 1780 Danby Road, Ithaca, New York: Sarah McNaull as election Chair, Amy Westmiller Election Inspector/Ballot Clerk; Virginia Freedman as Election Inspector/Ballot Clerk; Deanna Bowles as Election Inspector/Ballot Clerk. The hours were fixed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with compensation for individual members at $70.00, seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Roll Call Vote taken: Commissioner Faehndrich: Aye; Commissioner Freedman: Aye; Commissioner Griggs: Aye; Commissioner Oltz (absent); Commissioner Westmiller: Aye. Motion adopted. APPROVALS of TRAININGS, ITEMS OR SERVICES TO BE PURCHASED: Commissioner Westmiller made a motion to approve the payment of electric/solar to the Town of Danby for $2,359.18 for West Danby and $2,839.50 for Danby. Motion seconded by Commissioner Faehndrich. Motion carried 4 yes 0 no. NEW BUSINESS: NONE Next Meeting date and time: • 10/20/26 at 6:30 – Public Hearing on Budget with Special Meeting to follow • 10/27/26 at 6:30 – Regular Meeting Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Gaden Secretary DANBY FIRE DISTRICT RESOLUTION TO MAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT TO 2026 BUDGET AS A RESULT OF STATE MANDATE TO KEEP BUDGET, GRANTS AND DONATIONS NET ZERO RESOLUTION 2026-10-13.1 WHEREAS the Danby Fire District has received $14000.00 from Triad Foundation as a grant to support towards the replacement of nozzles for Danby Volunteer Fire Company and West Danby Fire Department. WHEREAS the money was deposited into General Account. WE RESOLVE to modify the 2026 Budget to include the sum of $14,000.00 as added to General Account. WE FURTHER RESOLVE, with this modification, the 2026 Budget will increase from $614,149.00 to $628,149.00. Commissioner Faehndrich moved. Commissioner Westmiller seconded, and the Board of Fire Commissioners voted as follows: Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Aye Commissioner Griggs Aye Commissioner Oltz absent Commissioner Westmiller Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners on October 13, 2026. __________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District DANBY FIRE DISTRICT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPOINTMENT OF ELECTIONS OFFICIALS Resolution No. 2026-10-13.2 RESOLVED, that the Danby Fire District does hereby authorize the appointment of a qualified chairman of the Fire District Election to be held on December 8, 2026 during the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Danby Fire Station, 1780 Danby Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, together with not less than two nor more than four qualified election inspectors and ballot clerks, and that such chairman and ballot clerks and election inspectors shall each be compensated $70.00 for such; and it is further RESOLVED, that the following people pending their availability are named as in the capacity set forth adjacent to their name: Sarah McNaull Election Chair Amy Westmiller Election Inspector/ Ballot Clerk Virginia Freedman Election Inspector/Ballot Clerk Deanna Bowles Election Inspector/Ballot Clerk Commissioner Faehndrich moved, Commissioner Griggs seconded, and adopted by the following vote: Commissioner Faehndrich Aye Commissioner Freedman Aye Commissioner Griggs Aye Commissioner Oltz absent Commissioner Westmiller Aye The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners on October13, 2026. __________________________ Sharon Gaden, Secretary Danby Fire District