HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 25, 2023 Fire District Meeting MinutesBoard of Commissioners Organizational Meeting Minutes
September 25th,2023
Meeting called to order at 18:32 hours by J.Mathews,Chair of Commissioners.
Opening Remarks:
Message from J.Mathews:
“Good evening,Enfield.I’d like to thank everyone for being here,and for taking such an
interest in the fire protection we all need and deserve in our town.
For any of you who have been following along closely,this Fire District was created only a
couple of short months ago and immediately faced a very long list of very complicated tasks.
Your neighbors here who volunteered to take on these tasks have been working diligently on all
of them...the most important of which is the 2024 operating budget for the Fire District and the
Fire Company.
By law,we have to have voted on a proposed budget by this Thursday...three days from now.We
have until November 4th to finalize it.
Before your Commissioners even took their places here at the table,those who helped to dissolve
the previous Fire Protection District and replace it with our new Fire District knew that the way
to make this work so that we can get good fire protection while keeping a careful eye on
costs...was to bond.Bonding.
Bonding the loans for our fire company’s apparatus...the trucks,the pumpers,the tankers...is the
way to reduce the cash outlay we need every year to keep our Fire Company ready to serve
safely.
Early this month,we asked the District’s residents to approve raising the statutory spending
cap...and that measure passed.
As a Commissioner I remain committed to keeping spending below that cap.
As the new 2024 budget came into focus,it became crystal clear just how important it will be to
get bonding passed in the Enfield Fire District.It is very likely we will ask the voters in
December to vote on two things –one,to vote to retain,or replace,each of the five of us sitting
here tonight...and two,to vote on whether they’ll support the Fire District’s plan to bond our
apparatus.
There’s a lot of complicated math and projections to look at,but the simplest and easiest way I
can describe it is like this:a vote FOR bonding will likely mean lower taxes for the typical
Enfield property owner.A vote AGAINST bonding will guarantee either higher taxes,or
significant cuts in fire protection provided to residents.
Voting FOR bonds means lower taxes and continued high-quality protection.Voting AGAINST
bonds means higher taxes...or less safety.
Just back of the envelope,the typical Enfield property owner’s median Fire levy in 2022 was
around $261,for the year.In 2023,the levy got cut,and I estimate the average Fire levy was
$231,for the year.If we do NOT bond and we have to raise taxes to cover the gap,the average
Fire levy could be around $317 for the year.On the other hand,if we DO bond,we can get the
new Fire levy down to around $246...or around fifteen dollars less than it was in 2022.
So with bonding we could lower taxes below 2022 levels,even though the Fire Company budget
would be close to 40 percent bigger than it was in 2022.
My colleagues Geoff and Robyn have been closest to this.They got delegated the task of
working through the 2024 budget with the Fire Company President and Chief.They’ve worked
very,very hard on it,and I’m sure we’re all incredibly grateful for their efforts.Geoff
recommended to us as Commissioners that we move forward with bonding based on the work
done on the budget,and I’m inclined to say that I agree.
We also have to be clear-eyed and recognize the bonding is not a magic wand that makes the
costs go away.It just spreads the payments out over more years.It makes cash flow easier.It also
means more payments,because we’re paying across more years.And depending on how we
structure it,that could mean --with interest --even paying more.
Ultimately,the best answer for replacing apparatus is to limit how often we have to finance these
purchases at all.During our vote a few weeks ago,Fire District residents also approved the
creation of an Apparatus Reserve Fund,which means that as we put funds into that reserve we’ll
be able to use it to buy trucks,pumpers,tankers,and other vehicles...significantly reducing the
need for borrowing.
That’s a great long-term answer and I’m very grateful that was approved.
But for now,looking at 2024,it seems clear...to me,anyway,without speaking for my
colleagues...that the only way to reduce our cash outlays for 2024 and 2025 will be to bond our
apparatus.
So that’s what’s on the table tonight...as well as creative ways to find more grant revenue,
additional sources of state or Federal money,and ways to invest in a targeted way to lower our
overall costs...things like replacing energy-hog boilers and swapping out lights.
Your neighbors here have had their sleeves rolled up for several weeks.Let’s see what we can do
here tonight to make it all work.”
R.Wishna remarks that the public should be aware that the BOC is limited on time,and are
trying to accomplish the tasks at hand,it is a considerable amount of work.
Special thank you to Brad Pinsky and his tireless work and advising throughout the last few
months.
Public Floor (3 minutes for each public member):
No Remarks
Reading of August Meeting Minutes:
Discussion held on issues with receiving the September 6th via email,some BOC members did
not receive last month’s minutes.
-Motion was made by J.Mathews to table the minutes of September 6th meeting until the
next meeting to ensure every board member has the chance to read and approve.1st
Motion:R.Wishna,2nd Motion,B.Rollins.All in favor,none opposed or abstained.
Carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Read by Cortney Bailey,Treasurer
No report.We have no funds currently due to the new start-up of the Board of Commissioners.
Old Business:
BUDGET:
R.Wishna and G.Hollister have been working on the budget and have a proposal (see
attached).Discussion was held about worker ’s compensation not being a definitive amount yet
due to the unknowns about where worker ’s comp insurance is going to be coming from.
Discussion to see if Tompkins County could provide worker ’s comp -R.Wishna will be looking
into options.
The budget could be significantly lower based on when the BOC could bond the two
apparatus.
Document (see attached)for the redistribution of line items 7100 and 5000 for
equipment.Some things were moved around to crunch numbers and keep equipment.
The town agreed to the purchase of a new truck -and numbers are significantly different
based on that truck payment being included.
Alternative types of heating and cooling should be looked into in order to save some
money,considering heating and cooling costs and the age of the current system at the fire
station.
Station upkeep and repairs are factored into this budget;this budget will have several
moving parts as the new Fire District and the Fire Department work together.
Discussion was held about refinancing the building to cut costs,but this is not something
the BOC will have anytime soon to consider.
Concerns about the budget being higher were expressed,however the prediction is if we
bond the apparatus,the projected budget will change and is projected to be lower.
Ultimately,the bonding of 602 and 622 should help the budget costs overall;payment of
these apparatus will not be due until 2025.
This is a draft budget the BOC can revisit until November 4th.
G.Hollister proposes the Board of Commissioners talk about bonding first,then when the
decision on bonding is decided,to move onto the budget based on the numbers after bonding.
Discussion was held about bonding:The length of the bond significantly affects the
payments.Decision on bonding should be decided tonight in order to get a referandum out to the
public in time.
J.Mathews explained replacement plans being important down the road and how being
able to replace apparatus (without use of grants,separate discussion)is something that needs to
be looked at now in order to be set down the road.
Discussion held on grant uses and success rates;there is no definitive answer to this.
J.Mathews requested official quickbooks reference from the fire company,D.Hubble
approved that.
Line items added for Board of Commissioners:Treasurer and Secretary funding,supplies,
cabinet for files,etc.
J.Mathews recommended taking certain things like a fireproof cabinet out of the budget
that may be getting cheaper/off of the town’s resources.Website budget items were taken out of
the budget due to not knowing the need of them.
Discussion was held on how much as needed for paying the secretary and treasurer,
questions were posed to be followed up without lawyer on what the minimum wages are and
how many hours are anticipated for each position.
Health and Safety line is an arbitrary number;insurance may cover physicals/shots,etc so
there isn’t a real definitive way of judging this except for previous budgets.We have only spent
about 25%of this year ’s budget.
Gingerich was wondering what would fall under “software”in the budget -clarification
was made that software would be Microsoft Office,anti-virus,potentially quickbooks,etc.
Discussion was held on what platforms would be used by the Board Of Commissioners.
Further discussion was held on a bond-inclusive budget vs.the current budget.Current
preliminary budget would be $389,736 (65,000 truck payments included).
A vote for bonding will likely mean lower taxes,but if we don’t bond then we face higher
taxes rates.
Motion was made to bond both pieces of apparatus (602 and 622).Motion:G.Hollister,
2nd J.Mathews.All in favor,none opposed.Carried.
Motion was made to pass the preliminary budget of $389,736.Motion:R.Wishna,2nd B.
Rollins.All in favor,none opposed.Carried.
BANKING:
J.Mathews has decided that Tompkins Trust Company is going to be the best options for
us -more follow up as Pinsky gets back.
Enfield Fire Chief ’s Report:
Presented by Greg Stevenson,EFVC Chief
Report of Alarms:See attached
Discussion on follow up for DoER issues:meeting was held with DoER and positive outcomes
were had.The determination of fire response was missed by the dispatcher and the DoER will be
doing their best to correct these issues.
J.Mathews remarks that there are different questions and assumptions that could be made
differently and are different in other areas.
Recognizing members:since 2023 is the 75th anniversary of Enfield Fire Department,Chief
Stevenson would like to recognize Larry and Linda Stillwell for putting together an amazing
75th anniversary.
Motion to formally recognize and congratulate Larry and Linda Stillwell on an exemplary
contribution to the fire company was made.Motion:J.Mathews,2nd R.Wishna.All in favor,
none opposed.Carried.
G.Stevenson would like to formally approve an open-house Halloween for this month;
Motion to approve the open-house Halloween event was made.Motion R.Wishna,2nd G.
Hollister.All in favor,none opposed.Carried.
Enfield Fire President’s Report:
Presented by Denny Hubble,EVFC President of Board of Directors
D.Hubble would like to recognize the Board of Commissioners for all of their hard work.
D.Hubble stated that last year,the town had govenrment funds available for community groups
(food pantry,community council,fire company)that were divided up between these groups.
Along with reducing the budget percentage,the town also took these funds out of the spending
pool equallying approx.$25,000.This money was supposed to be used for station upgrades.
D.Hubble wanted to know where the standing is with paying the lawyer for the BOC,as
he had heard informally that those same funds would potentially be used for paying lawyer fees
this year.
Rob Lynch (Town)clarifies that the town had approx.$350,000 allotted to the Town of
Enfield that was divided up and spent on certain things (new roofing,building upgrades for town
hall,etc.).There was money left over that needed to be spent in order to secure those funds
indefinitely.These left over funds were set to be dispersed at $45,000 each between the food
pantry,community council and the fire company.It was then amended by Councilperson Lemkey
in the May meeting to recind the $25,000 for the fire company due to paying for turnout gear
earlier in the year.It was understood that the fire company should still receive $20,000 as the
remainder of that money.During the September Town Board meeting,it was brought up that
there may be administrative issues in getting the fire commission vs.fire company.Rob Lynch
stated the resolution was delayed and mat come up again.
J.Mathews will be looking into this matter further.
D.Hubble explains that because the money was for the fire company,and should remain
with the fire company.
As the fire company and Board of Commissioners go forward with dividing equipment and
items,regard should be had with considering funds to repair things that may fall in a “gray area”
in the future (ie.the boilers).
Discussion was held on county resources and their purpose going forward;Ellen Woods explains
Tompkins County has a project to supplement BLS response vehicles in the county going
forward.Discussion as held on what momentum this may being with needing more resources (ie.
bunkrooms)in the future.
J.Mathews would like more information/documentation on this.
Liaison Report:
None
New Business:
Further discussion was held on the $20,000 funds from the Town and their use:J.Mathews
would like to discuss this further and our standpoint on these funds since the BOC is now in the
middle of the decision of these funds.
Motion to have information and ability to have an executive session next meeting on this
matter was made.Motion:Geoff Hollister,2nd R.Wishna.All in favor,none opposed.Carried.
Closing Remarks:
Next Meeting:October 9th,2024.
J.Mathews thanks the public and the members of the BOC from coming out and continued
support.
Attendance:
Commissioner: James C.Mathews
Commissioner: Geoffrey Hollister
Commissioner: Robyn Wishna
Commissioner: Barry Rollins
Commissioner: Marcus Gingerich
Treasurer: Cortney Bailey
Secretary: Alexis Comparetta
Public was in attendance at the open meeting.No executive sessions were held.
Meeting adjourned at 21:20 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Alexis Comparetta
Secretary,Board of Commissioners