August 2024 Meeting Minutes

EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

AUGUST 1, 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 Robert Despres, Fire District Facilities Supervisor Dave Schaffauer, Medical Coordinator Brian Danowski, Chief Paul Sulzinski, Treasurer Colleen Pearsall and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

FIRE DISTRICT FACILITIES SUPERVISOR REPORT

See attached report.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, authorizing  Firefighters Equipment of N.Y. to perform the annual inspection of member turnout gear, including date manufactured, at a cost of $19.25 per member set.  Approved 4-0.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

None.

Commissioner Jackson asked Mr. Schaffauer for an update on the grant program.  Mr. Schaffauer stated that he is in the process of completing paperwork recently forwarded to him by the State.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Maintenance Report dated 7/1/24 – 7/31/24 was submitted to the Board.

MEDICAL COORDINATOR REPORT

MATERIAL REQUESTS

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of the medical supplies requested, at a cost of $551.65 (Hammer Medical - $352.55, Bound Tree Medical - $100.10).  Approved 4-0.

REPORT DISCUSSION

1.  Noted.

2.  Noted.

3.  Noted.  Commissioner Schaefer suggested hiring two additional part time paramedics.

4.  Noted.  Chief Sulzinski stated that the Board should consider hiring a company to do the recertification rather than the County.  The cost might be approximately $6,000.00 but, the State would be refunding the money to East Quogue, instead of the County.

5.  Noted.

6.  Mr. Danowski suggested increasing the pay rate to $38.00 per hour so as to be comparable to other Districts.

CHIEF'S REPORT

See attached report.

REQUESTS

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, authorizing the purchase of four (4) Long Reach Lock Kits for the Chiefs’ vehicles, at a total cost of $160.00.  Approved 4-0.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

The Board suggested that members do the following:  1. exit the vehicles to close the doors, 2. notify dispatch to close the doors from their location or 3. point the remote at different areas of the door.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass not in attendance.  Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that Mr. Glass had not received a copy of the Department’s By-Law changes.  (Note:  The Secretary mailed them via USPS on June 6, 2024.  Another copy was scanned and sent to him via e-mail and he acknowledged receipt.)

MINUTES

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

TREASURER'S REPORT

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Despres, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 29 checks totaling $48,970.91 and to authorize the transfer of $200,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account.  Approved 4-0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

A letter of apology was received from William Potter, Department Secretary, regarding the By-Law changes notification, a Facility Use Permit Application and signed Policy Agreement from Dennis Flynn for a WHB Varsity Cheerleaders Car Wash, a Facility Use Permit Application from Noel Feliciano for a 6^th Grade East Quogue School Car Wash and a copy of the letter from Michael Postel, Suffolk County Police Department addressed to Greg Miniutti of SCFRES regarding grey or black market radios and a copy of the SCFRES Medical Services Mutual Aid Plan.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Gregory advised the Board that Dennis Fenner has been trying to contact the attorney for the tower on Central Boulevard and has gotten no response.  Commissioner Jackson suggested that Mr. Glass be asked to contact the attorney.

Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that the Blood Drive went well and that he hasn’t heard anything further regarding the mobile Mammography screening.

Chief Sulzinski advised the Board that the Chiefs reviewed and approved the Firefighter Benefits Plan.

A brief discussion ensued regarding members who neglect to take their physicals on time.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the Secretary to forward a letter to the Department stating that if a member neglects to take his/her physical during the designated time period - January 1 through April 1, their access to the premises will be denied by disengaging their key fob, their gear will be placed in storage and they will not be permitted to respond to alarms or participate in social functions on and off premises.  These rules will remain in effect until the member complies with the physical exam requirements.  Approved 4-0.

Commissioner Schaefer notified Chief Sulzinski of the requirements that the Board has regarding the upcoming Seafood/Beer Festival and suggested that the Committee meet with the Board to discuss the requirements.  The Board is definitely against the ax throwing concession which is operated on Bay Avenue.  The Certificate of Insurance submitted to the Town of Southampton does not include Bay Avenue making this an insurance liability.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Jackson stated that Mark Grossman (public relations professional) will have a proposal ready by the next Workshop.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, authorizing the detailing of all the vehicles at a cost of $375.00 for cars and SUV’s, $400.00 for trucks and $450.00 for 7-6-11.  Approved 4-0.  (Note:  The detailing will be done during the month of September.)

Commissioner Jackson stated that Flanders will not be able to host the Southampton Town Fire Districts Association Meeting in October.  The Board gave approval for East Quogue to host the meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, granting permission for the WHB Varsity Cheerleaders (Denise Flynn) to use the parking lot on Saturday, August 31, 2024 for a Car Wash, pending receipt of the Certificate of Insurance and for the East Quogue School 6^th Grade (Noel Feliciano) to hold a Car Wash in the parking lot on Saturday, August 17, 2024 (August 18 rain date is unavailable), pending receipt of a signed Use of Facility Policy Agreement and Certificate of Insurance.  Approved 4-0.

A workshop was scheduled for Thursday, 29, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

At 9:05 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Despres, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, 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 August 1, 2024, meeting including but not limited to:  

• General Maintenance and building care.
• Updated the website For the District
• Updated the sign.
• Spoke to Jerry about the cable for the bunting. (He said he could do it.) Will try to be here next week.
• Martins has come back to fix the leak in the roof
• Nardy will be here tomorrow for the wasps
• Spoke to ATT. They would like to switch our account to First net.
• Can I schedule Detailer for the trucks?
• Quote for the gear inspection
• Working on the SAM problem.
• Working on the Website problem
• There is something we can do with the remotes for the garage doors. The problem isn’t the remotes, it’s the building. They sell range extenders that would be mounted on the outside of the building and wire line to the opener. They are very expensive.

Topics for discussion: