Decembers Meeting Minutes 2017

The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District was called to order by Chairman Allyn Jackson at 7:30 p.m.  Present were Commissioners  Allyn Jackson, James Schaefer, Aaron Sacks, Jennifer Davonski and Jonathan Erwin, Chief Scott Davonski, Second Assistant Chief David Rosante (left at 8:04 p.m.), First Responder Amit Patel (left at 8:00 p.m.), Treasurer Nancy Knotoff and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

FIREHOUSE ATTENDANT REPORT

See attached report.

Commissioner Sacks will take care of having Norske do the gutters and ice breakers on the Steel Building.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Noted.

2. Noted.

3. Noted.

4. Noted.

5. Mr. Schaffauer will be asked for recommendations.

EMS REPORT

See attached report.

STAFF REPORT

1. Noted.

2. Noted.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

1. A motion was made by Commissioner Davonski, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing the purchase of the medical supplies requested from Hammer Medical, at a total cost of $486.65.  Approved 5-0.

2. Tabled.
3. Tabled.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

The Work Order Report dated 11/02/2017 - 12/7/17 was presented to the Board.

CHIEF'S REPORT

See attached report.

REQUESTS

Request 1.  -  A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing the purchase of three (3) Marine Radios from Amazon, at an approximate total cost of $554.46.  Approved 5-0.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, granting permission for William Potter to use the Meeting Room on February 10, 2018 for an engagement party.  Approved 5-0.

2. The physical dates are scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Monday, March 12, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3. To be discussed in Executive Session.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass not in attendance.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Davonski, seconded by Commissioner Sacks, accepting the Minutes of the November 2, 2017 Regular Monthly Meeting.  Approved 5-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Ms. Knotoff advised the Board that the State Comptroller had done a mini-audit regarding the tax cap form and found it to be in order.

Ms. Knotoff advised the Board that she had received the following four audit proposals:

Cullen & Danowski  -  $11,200.00

Jones & Little  -  $7,500.00

Markowitz Fenelon  -  $9,250.00

EF PR Group  -  $6,960.00 (located in Buffalo, New York)

2017-50.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to accept the Audit Proposal from Jones & Little, in the amount of $7,500.00.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, accepting the adoption of Resolution 2017-50.  Approved 5-0.

Ms. Knotoff advised the Board that certain transfers would have to be made.  Resolutions were drawn up and state as follows:

2017-51.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to transfer the sum of $13,708.00 from NYS Retirement – 600-001 to Repairs to Firematic Equipment – 200-001.

2017-52.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to transfer the sum of $8,000.00 from Fuel Gas Buildings – 280-001 to Repairs Buildings and Grounds – 220-001.

2017-53.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to transfer the sum of $1,000.00 from Lights – 280-001 to Telephone – 270-001.

2017-54.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to transfer the sum of $1,499.09 from Fire Prevention – 330-001 to Conventions/Meetings – 310-001.

2017-55.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to transfer the sum of $1,000.00 from Gas/Oil Vehicles – 300-001 to Medical Exams – 340-001.

2017-56.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from Gas/Oil Vehicles – 300-001 to Uniforms Class A – 370-002.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Erwin, approving the adoption of Resolutions 2017-51 through 2017-56.  Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, approving the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.  Approved 5-0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Miscellaneous correspondence was presented to the Board including a letter from the East Quogue Fire Department regarding the resignation of Brendan Dickson and the probationary membership of Catherine Westra, a letter from Chief Davonski regarding Randy Kracke and enclosing a copy of his letter to Randy Kracke and a fuel oil bid from Mendenhall Fuel (Note:  Fuel Oil Bid was not required this year.)

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Erwin stated that he was thankful to have been able to serve on the Board all of these years and to have been part of doing good for the community.

Commissioner Sacks advised the Board that the new ambulance should be delivered by the end of the month and that he, Chief Davonski, First Assistant Chief Flynn and Butch Danowski would be going to Wisconsin in January to inspect the new pumper.

After a brief discussion regarding the refurbishing of the 1998 Seagrave Pumper - 7-6-8, a resolution was drawn up and states as follows:

2017-57.  BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the provisions of the General Municipal Law and the Town Law of the State of New York, that a sum not to exceed $50,000.00 be expended from the Apparatus Reserve Fund of said Fire District for the refurbishing of the 1998 Seagrave Pumper (7-6-8), Series 60, VIN #1FE9E0Q8T3WEST2070, and be it

            FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution is adopted subject to a permissive referendum as provided in the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, and be it

            FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Fire District shall, within ten working days of the adoption of this resolution, publish a notice within the official newspaper of the Fire District setting forth the date of the adoption of the resolution and an abstract of the resolution concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof and that the resolution was adopted subject to a permissive referendum.

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Sacks, accepting adoption of Resolution 2017-57.  Approved 5-0.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the Town Board voting down The Hills.  Commissioner Sacks will prepare a letter to the Town Board expressing the District’s disappointment in the outcome of the vote.

Commissioner Jackson reminded the Board that the electrical inspection is not yet done, the roof repairs are on hold, the back fence needs repair and the Employee Manual is still being worked on.

Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that he had spoken with the Town Planning Department regarding the tower that is going up in the hills and was advised that there is nothing the District needs to do.  Commissioner Erwin asked Commissioner Jackson if the District will be given space on the tower and, if so, suggested getting that in writing.

NEW BUSINESS

After a brief discussion regarding the accident David Rosante had with his vehicle, a motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing the payment of $1,077.92 to Croce’s Body Shop, Inc. to cover the cost of the repairs to the vehicle damaged by Second Assistant Chief David Rosante’s District vehicle.  Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Davonski, accepting the resignation of Brendan Dickson pending the return of all District property issued to him.  Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Davonski, accepting the probationary membership of Catherine Westra in the Department.  Approved 5-0.

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Sacks, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 44 checks totaling $60,169.35 and to authorize the transfer of $85,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account.  Approved 5-0.

At 8:46 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, calling the meeting into Executive Session to discuss the discipline of a member.  Approved 5-0.

At this point, Commissioner Sacks left the room.

At 9:10 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Erwin, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, calling the meeting out of Executive Session.  Approved 4-0.

At this point, Commissioner Sacks returned to the room.

A motion was made by Commissioner Erwin, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, approving that a letter of reprimand be sent to Randy Kracke regarding his behavior at an incident that occurred on November 15, 2017 in the Firemen’s Room.  Approved 4-0.  Recused – Commissioner Sacks.

Chairman Allyn Jackson  -  Aye

Commissioner James Schaefer  -  Aye

Commissioner Jonathan Erwin  -  Aye

Commissioner Jennifer Davonski - Aye

At 9:15 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, to adjourn the meeting.  Approved 5-0.

Submitted by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Lorraine Gregory, Secretary