EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

MARCH 7, 2019

 

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, Stephen Gregory and Michael Mattera, Second Assistant Chief Ted Jankowski, Firehouse Attendant David Schaffauer (left 7:50 p.m.), Treasurer Nancy Knotoff and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

FIREHOUSE ATTENDANT REPORT

See attached report.

Mr. Schaffauer advised the Board that there is a problem with a compartment door magnet on

7-6-1. He will contact RVI to correct the problem.

With regard to the DEF fluid, Commissioner Jackson stated that the fluid should be replaced when the light goes on. Second Assistant Chief Jankowski suggested topping the fluid off every even month.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

None.

EMS REPORT (Presented by Commissioner Schaefer)

See attached report.

STAFF REPORT

1. Noted.

2. Amanda Lessard’s resignation noted. Permission given for Commissioner Schaefer to hire two On Call First Responders.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

1. A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of the medical supplies requested, at a total cost of $296.46 (McKesson - $60.21, Hammer Medical - $236.25). Approved 4-0.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Work Order Report dated 2/1/19 to 2/28/19 was submitted to the Board.

CHIEF'S REPORT

See attached report.

REQUESTS

Request 1. - A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of Years of Service patches – 25 each of 5-20 years (set up - $120.00, patches - $300.00), at a total cost of $420.00. Approved 4-0.

Request 2. - A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing one (1) On Call First Responder to be on duty for the upcoming Inspection Dinner. Approved 4-0. (Note: The Board is requiring that a member be on duty as a second responder. If no one steps up, then a second On Call First Responder will be hired.)

Request 3. - A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the use of the Meeting Room on March 17, 2019 by Kate Westra for a birthday party. Approved 4-0.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Second Assistant Chief Jankowski brought up for discussion a Medic Pilot Program requiring the hiring of 24/7 On Call First Responders during the busiest months of May through September. Chief Jankowski also stated that the District has a problem keeping On Call First Responders on staff because the pay scale is not equal to what is being paid by other Districts - $24.00-$28.00. The On Call staff is basically happy working for the District, but the wage is not enticing. Commissioner Gregory stated that the pay scale was one of the topics discussed at the recent Commissioners’ Training Class that he attended. Most Districts are paying $24.00 plus. The Chief also suggested adopting an Associate Program. The program would not involve offering LOSAP or other perks and there would be no minimum requirements. The Department has 55 members, 9 are EMT’s. Perhaps the Juniors Program could be extended into the Fire Police and residents who are college students home for the summer could be used to volunteer for non-firefighting and EMT work. Commissioner Schaefer stated that there would be a cost factor in outfitting associates with gear and protective equipment. A brief discussion also ensued regarding increasing the membership rolls and the steps that might be taken. Further discussion at the upcoming Workshop scheduled for March 27.

2. Second Assistant Chief Jankowski presented information on the Red Alert system and will present an itemized list of costs next month. The program may cost as much as $30,000.00.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass not in attendance.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, accepting the Minutes of the February 7, 2019 Regular Monthly Meeting, with noted correction. Approved 4-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Ms. Knotoff advised the Board of the following:

1. Transfer of $3,000.00 made to the General Fund Checking Account for Payroll.

2. Arenz did not receive their check. Ms. Knotoff will wait a few days before putting a “stop payment”.

3. Capital Plan needs to be established.

4. Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended 12/31/18 was filed.

5. Purchase Order 2019-1 (Coastal) will be voided.

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, approving the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Approved 4-0.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Miscellaneous correspondence was presented to the Board including a letter from the East Quogue Fire Department regarding the status of Michael Kohler from Active to Fireman Emeritus, a thank you letter from Golden Glow Volunteer Fire Company, a letter from Waterway enclosing the Annual Hose Testing Renewal in the amount of $2,745.00, as well as the NFPA Equipment Testing Renewal in the amount of $1,520.10 and letters from the Town of Southampton Planning Board regarding Ashley & Nicole Madsen, Subdivision, Michele Kirschbaum, Subdivision and the Daniel Edward Warner, Subdivision.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Gregory advised the Board that he had met with the representative from

GT Power Systems regarding the generator issues. The problem is the switch in the basement causing the generator not to go on properly on test days.

After a brief discussion regarding the purchase of a Chief’s car and utility vehicle, motions were made as follows:

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the purchase of one (1) 2019 White Chevrolet Tahoe (BOCES Bid) from Chevrolet of Smithtown ($37,794.36) with an EDAP System ($620.00), at a cost of $38,434.36. Approved 4-0. (Note: The Command Box and Light Package will be purchased separately.)

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the purchase of one (1) White 2019 Chevrolet Silverado (BOCES Bid 16/17-00BR Ext #2) 4x4 Pick Up Truck with Double Cab, plow, ice melt spreader, lift gate, bed liner and Maxon C2 Light Package installed, at a cost of $42,839.20. Approved 4-0.

After a brief discussion regarding the cooler, motions were made as follows:

A motion was made by Commissioner Mattera, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing the purchase and installation of a concrete slab for the walk-in cooler from Northeast Masonry & Landscaping, Inc., at a cost of $2,280.00. Approved 4-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Mattera, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing the installation of electrical wiring for the walk-in cooler from Quinlan Electric, at a cost of $1,800.00. Approved 4-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Mattera, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, authorizing the purchase and installation of a walk-in cooler from Four Star Refrigeration, at a cost of $15,000.00. Approved 4-0.

Commissioner Gregory advised the Board of the following:

1. If the siren were to be moved to the new pole, an engineering study would have to be done and the arm may have to be modified. He suggested going with an electronic siren, basically because of the cost factor and the fact that there is no real difference between either siren.

2. He is still waiting to hear from Coastal regarding the Fire Police gear and that, if the price is higher than previously quoted, Coastal will absorb the difference.

3. The paramedic shirts were taken to Rico’s. The incorrect patches will be removed and replaced with the correct one. The “Paramedic” patch is on order from California and will be applied to the back of the shirts. The words “East Quogue Fire District” will be printed on the front of the shirt.

4. He is looking to get a lesser price for the sweatshirts from another vendor.

Commissioner Schaefer suggested getting the two Commissioner badges made at Fox and gave a sample to Commissioner Gregory.

Approval of the probationary membership of James Carter was tabled until April.

With reference to the CPAP Masks, a resolution was drawn up and states as follows:

2019-18. The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to declare the old CPAC Masks as surplus property and to discard them.

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, approving the adoption of Resolution 2019-18. Approved 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

After a brief discussion regarding increasing the deductible on the apparatus and vehicles for a total savings of $1,400.00, a motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Mattera authorizing the increase of the insurance deductibles to $1,000.00. Approved 4-0. (Note: Increasing the comprehensive to $500 would be a savings of $178.00 and the collision to $1,000.00 would be a $450.00 savings.)

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 40 checks totaling $30,589.56 and to authorize the transfer of $60,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account. Approved 4-0.

At 9:45 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, to adjourn the meeting. Approved 4-0.

Submitted by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Lorraine Gregory, Secretary