April 2024 Monthly Meeting Minutes

EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

APRIL 4, 2024

 

 

The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District was called to order by Chairman James Schaefer at 7:30 p.m.  Present were Commissioners James Schaefer, Allyn Jackson, Stephen Gregory and Ed Seltenreich, Fire District Facilities Supervisor Dave Schaffauer, Medical Coordinator Brian Danowski, Chief Paul Sulzinski, First Assistant Chief Keith Phillips, Treasurer Colleen Pearsall and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

 

FIRE DISTRICT FACILITIES SUPERVISOR REPORT

See attached report.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

None.

MEDICAL COORDINATOR REPORT

MATERIAL REQUESTS:

A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, authorizing the purchase of medical supplies requested from Bound Tree, at a total cost of $284.61.  Approved 4-0.

REPORT DISCUSSION:

1.  Mr. Danowski advised the Board that the NYSDOH requires that all Chiefs be Certified First Responders and suggested that those officers who are planning to become future Chiefs must be Certified First Responders.  He also suggested that a CFR class be held at least once a year.

2.  Noted.

3.  Noted.

4.  Noted.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Maintenance Report dated 3/1/24 – 3/31/24 submitted to the Board.

CHIEF'S REPORT

See attached report.

REQUESTS

1., 2., 3.  A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, authorizing the purchase of four (4) RIT and AED Decals (cost unknown), one (1) set of collar pins (cost unknown) and fifty (50) Pin Clutch Backs for Collar Pins from Amazon, at a cost of $6.99.  Approved 4-0.

2.  On order.

3.  On order.

4.  Noted.

5.  Noted.

6.  A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, approving the purchase of Size 11 Boots for Noel Feliciano and Edward Crooke, from Firematic, at an approximate cost of $500.00 each.

7.  Roof Cutting Prop was tabled pending further information.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1.  Commissioner Schaefer requested the names of the five members that need new Turn Out Gear and he will then arrange for a date to have them measured.

2.  Commissioner Gregory advised the Board and the Chiefs that Dr. Friedman has been measured for a Class A uniform and that he informed Ricco’s that there are problems with the new uniforms not holding up in the seams.  Ricco’s will address the issue.

3.  The Board advised the Chief that the Department picture is the responsibility of the Department, not the District.

Commissioner Schaefer requested a list of the members who have not yet scheduled an appointment to have their physical taken and that he will suspend those who are non-compliant.

Commissioner Jackson reminded the Board and the Chiefs that there are members who are from year-to-year not making their points and that we have to be more aggressive in addressing this issue.  These members are reaping the District’s benefits while not producing.  Commissioner Schaefer stated that it is up to the Board of Directors to recommend that delinquent members be suspended and then it will be up to the Chief to do so.  Chief Sulzinski will monitor the first quarter of 2024 and speak to those members who are slacking off.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass not in attendance.  He did attend the March 21 Workshop and various matters were addressed.

 

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, approving the Minutes of the March 7, 2024 Regular Monthly Meeting.  Approved 4-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 20 checks totaling $39,563.68 and to authorize the transfer of $200,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account.  Approved 4-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Seltenreich, authorizing that the Treasurer, Colleen Pearsall, no longer be responsible for processing payroll.  The District has contracted with Accu Data and they will handle payroll on a bi-weekly basis, at a yearly cost of $5,300.00.  Approved 4-0.  (Note:  Mrs. Pearsall advised the Board that Accu Data will be responsible for the time, attendance, etc. regarding the employees.)

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence to present.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that he has not heard from Martin’s regarding making emergency repairs to the existing roof and will contact them again and, perhaps, seek another roofer.

Commissioner Jackson also advised the Board that the Awards Dinner went very well and that the 2025 Awards Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at the Aquarium and will be a sit down dinner.

Commissioner Jackson asked the Board if they had reviewed the Firefighter Benefits Policy that he composed and, if so, are there any comments?

Commissioner Seltenreich advised the Board that hydrants have been installed in The Registry but, are not functional at this time.  The hydrants are still in the process of being installed in Southampton Pines and on Delacey Street.

Commissioner Schaefer asked the Chief if he has any opinion regarding the proposed new OSHA regulations.  Chief Sulzinski stated that the comment period was extended for three months and suggested going to Albany to protest.

At this point the Board decided to vote on the resolution concerning the Tax Exemption to Eligible Volunteer Firefighters and Volunteer Ambulance Workers as provided for by Real Property Tax Law ss466-a.  Resolution 2024-17 states as follows:

2024-17 RESOLUTION OF THE EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

TO GRANT A TAX EXEMPTION TO ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER

FIREFIGHTERS AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE WORKERS AS PROVIDED

FOR BY REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW §466-a

WHEREAS, § 466-a of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes the Fire District, after a public hearing, to grant a tax exemption to enrolled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers residing in the East Quogue Fire District; and

WHEREAS the Fire District has conducted the public hearing required by the statute and elicited public comment on said topic; and

WHEREAS the Board of Fire Commissions has determined that the granting of the tax exemption will enhance recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers in the Fire District;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that an exemption be granted at 10% of the assessed value of the real property owned by an enrolled volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker who meets the eligibility requirements established in this Resolution;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the enrolled member of the East Quogue Fire Department or local volunteer ambulance company must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the tax exemption:

1.         The enrolled member must reside in the territory served by the Fire District.

2.         The property must be the primary residence of the enrolled member.

3.         The property is used exclusively for residential purposes, provided however, that in the event any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant's residence but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this section.

4.         The enrolled member has been certified by the Chief of the Fire Department (or Ambulance Company) to have served at least two (2) years of active service and such certification has been approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners or other authority having jurisdiction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an enrolled member of the East Quogue Fire Department or local ambulance company who accrues more than twenty years of active service as certified by the Chief of the Fire Department or Ambulance Company shall be granted the 10% percent exemption as authorized by this Resolution for the remainder of his or her life as long as the property for which the exemption is sought under this Resolution is the primary residence of the enrolled member.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the exemption granted under this Resolution shall continue for the un-remarried spouse of an enrolled member of the Fire Department or Ambulance Company who is killed in the line of duty upon the following conditions:

1.         The un-remarried spouse is certified by the Chief of the Fire Department or Ambulance Company as the un-remarried spouse of the volunteer firefighter killed in the line of duty; and

2.         The deceased volunteer had been an enrolled member for at least five years; and

3.         The deceased volunteer had been receiving the exemption prior to his or her death.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the exemption granted under this Resolution shall continue for the un-remarried spouse of a deceased member of the East Quogue Fire Department or local Ambulance Company under the following conditions:

1.         The un-remarried spouse is certified by the Chief of the Fire Department or Ambulance Company as the un-remarried spouse of the deceased enrolled member of the East Quogue Fire Department or local Ambulance Company.

2.         The deceased volunteer has been an enrolled member for at least twenty years.

3.         The deceased volunteer has been receiving the exemption prior to his or her death.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any exemption granted under this Resolution shall be filed with the Town of Southampton on the forms designated by the Town; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Fire District is directed to provide the Town of Southampton with a copy of this Resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall be governed by and applied in accordance with Real Property Tax Law §466-a.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THIS RESOLUTION shall be effective as of the date of its adoption.

The adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call, the vote was as follows:

Chairman James Schaefer                   )

Vice- Chairman Allyn Jackson           )

Commissioner Stephen Gregory        ) AYES

Commissioner Edward Seltenreich    )

Commissioner Robert Despres           ) ABSENT

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Dated: East Quogue, New York

April 4, 2024

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Seltenreich advised the Board that a Solar Farm is being built in Quogue and that he will be contacting the LIRR regarding the railroad crossing on Lewis Road.  Repairs were made recently during the rainy weather and it seems as though the crossing has sunk a bit.

Commissioner Schaefer presented the following two landscaping proposals for 2024:

                        Steve’s Landscaping LLC      Main Firehouse           $7,423.00

                                                                        Station 2                      $7,476.00

                        Pine Edge Landscaping          Main Firehouse           $7,793.01

                                                                        Station 2                      $9,535.50

A motion was made by Commissioner Seltenreich, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, accepting the proposal from Steve’s Landscaping LLC for the 2024 Landscaping at the Main Firehouse, at a cost of $7,423.00 and at Station 2, at a cost of $7,476.00.  Approved 4-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, authorizing the purchase of two sets of the 2024 New York Law Updates, at a cost of $185.15.  Approved 4-0.

No workshop scheduled.  The Board will be attending the Southampton Town Fire Districts Association meeting in North Sea, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed new OSHA Regulations.

At 8:35 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, to adjourn the meeting.  Approved 4-0.

Submitted by

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Lorraine Gregory, Secretary

 

 

 

East Quogue Fire District’s House Attendant Report

To the Board of Fire Commissioners,

This is the attendant’s report for April 4, 2024, meeting including but not limited to:  

• General Maintenance and building care.
• Updated the website For the District
• Updated the sign.
• Waterway for testing April 30 for hose testing
• Pump testing 4/17/2024.
• Flow testing on the Scott packs along with the batteries has been done 3/28/2024
• Waiting for Verizon to open the portal for the EMG system so Alphine can fix the texting. Our contact was on vacation.
• Replaced fridge in Brians office.
• Ordered the new siren for 7-6-4
• Ordered clutch backs for pins
• Ordered Chiefs collar pins

Topics for discussion:

 

 

 

 

Chief’s Report to The District April 2024

Requests:

1. RIT, AED compartment decals for 7-6-1 and 7-6-8 (1) set of 2 for each rig Total of 4

Reasoning: This will help rapidly identify compartments that contain RIT and AED equipment.

2. 1 set of Chief collar pins (5 horn)

Reasoning: right now the chief has 1 ex chief collar pin and 1 assistant chief collar pin.

3. Pin clutch backs for collar pins (50) $6.99 on Amazon.

Reasoning: We have none in stock.

4. Have the chassis on 7-6-16 checked by box manufacturer (Horton).

Reasoning: Multiple complaints about bouncing and rough ride.

5. Remove Low Band radios from rigs.

Reasoning: The radios are no longer used. It will reduce confusion about which radios to use.

6. (2) pair size 11 boots for Feliciano, and Crooke

Reasoning: Their boots need to be replaced.

Discussion

1. New turn out gear
2. Class A uniforms

Respectfully Submitted,

Paul Sulzinski

Chief of Department