ROLL CALL ( meeting called to order 19:00 hrs. on 09/12/2024 by R. Wilsey)
| PRESENT | NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Yes | Baumer, Heidi | Treasurer | |
| Yes | Considine, Dan | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Fletcher, William | General Counsel | |
| Yes | Friedlander, David | MFD 1st Assistant Chief | |
| Yes | Joint, Richard | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Sellman, Tom | Secretary | |
| Yes | Shipe, John | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Shuler, Steve | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Tschiderer, Steve | MFD, Chief | |
| Yes | Wilsey, Ryan | Commissioner (Chairman) |
OTHER ATTENDEES NOTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
| NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Mike Arman | MFD President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Chip Knapp | MFD Vice President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Peter Kester | MFD Member | For Public Comment |
| Joe Rosenshein | MFD Member | For Public Comment |
| Chuck Oppelt | MFD Member | For Public Comment |
| Marc Parker | MFD Member | For Public Comment |
PUBLIC COMMENT
The four individuals (including P. Kester, J. Rosenshein, C. Oppelt and M. Parker) were all there to
speak regarding the same topic. Each expressed their concern (based on rumor) that a currently
suspended member of the department was going to potentially be reinstated by the district. The
group as a collective felt it in the best interest of the department and community that ongoing legal
proceedings should be more fully addressed and resolved before any consideration of reinstatement.
CALENDAR / MEETING ROOM REQUEST REVIEW
None.
SECRETARY ITEMS
Past Meeting Minutes
R. Wilsey motioned to approve the August 15th 2024 District meeting minutes with a second by
S. Shuler. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
Review of Scheduled Meetings
Review Calendar Requests
Nov 2nd : Verbal request by D. Considine for Island Fit Wellness clinic – 9 AM – 12:30
Dan to supply written application.
Nov 9th & 23rd : NYSSRA Alpine Ski Officials (request from T. Baumer) 8 AM – 15:00
Dec 7th : Mendon Community Nursery School Ginger Bread House (request from Chief)
9AM – 14:00
S. Shuler motioned to approve the calendar requests as presented with a second by D. Joint.
The motion passed with unanimous consent.
Correspondence
None.
MENDON FIRE DEPT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT (President Arman)
- Next BOD Meeting: September 18th @ 19:00
- Recruiting & Retention: President Arman initiated a discussion with respect to (a) personnel
loss/gains, (b) the department’s current efforts as well as the development plans for more
targeted social media exposure and advertising, and (c) the general challenges in the
recruitment arena.
CHIEF’S REPORT
See Appendix D for content presented in Chief Tschiderer’s report.
Purchase Requests
- 5” LDH for 365: 1100 ft. (half of hose bed: remaining deferred to 2025) – $ 13,854.50
- S. Shuler motioned to approve the purchase request with a second from J. Shipe. The motion
passed by unanimous consent.
Chief noted that his $1.4 M staffing request was denied. Commissioner Wilsey clarified that it was
not formally denied, and that just was not added to the budget.
Chief noted the National Volunteer Fire Council (via our NYS representative Dave Dennison) has
changed their view of the new-proposed OSHA Fire Brigade Standard – going from an adversarial
view to one of very supportive.
Chief drew attention to the discussions held with the District Administrator and Commissioner Joint
with respect to vehicle replacement plans/strategy for 367 and 3C-16. Details are elaborated in
Appendix A (District Administrator’s report) and Appendix B (District Administrator Squad 367
Replacement Summary).
TREASURER’S REPORT
J. Shipe presented a purchase request for a Navien tankless water heater system to replace the
current 40-gal. that is now leaking. Discussion ensued with respect to the three prices submitted by
Penfield Plumbing, Emcor Bethlem and Schueler Heating & AC. S. Shuler motioned that the District
approve proceed with the low-bid ( $ 4,450 – Schueler HVAC ). This was seconded by D. Considine
and passed with unanimous consent.
H. Baumer distributed the treasurer’s report and the proposed 2025 budget (product of the past
budget workshops). Heidi also noted that given truck purchases are being discussed, the Board
should be aware the capital reserve stands currently at $ 576K and the equipment refurbishing
account stands at $ 46K.
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills. The motion was
seconded by S. Shuler and passed by unanimous consent. See Appendix C for the vouchers
presented and approved.
S. Shuler made a motion to approve and adopt the 2025 proposed budget. The motion was
seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous consent. See Appendix E for the proposed and
subsequently adopted 2025 District Budget.
OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Capital Projects / Special Projects / Buildings & Grounds (S. Shuler / J. Shipe)
See remarks / PO approval for the water heater system above.
Prices for replacement man-doors under investigation. Work on the HVAC enclosure in the members
lounge nearly wrapped up.
Apparatus
| Vehicle/Equip | Issues/Problems/Plans |
| 364 | No issue |
| 365 | No issue |
| 367 | No issue |
| 3617 | No issue |
| 3618 | No issue |
| Haul Trailer | No issue |
| 3c16 | No issue |
| 3c26 | No issue |
Commissioner Joint presented a quick review of the discussions he had with Chief and the District
Administrator regarding replacement of 367 as well as looking at the appropriate bed insert. He
elaborated the plan is to take the current 367 to the Assistant Chief and acquire a 3⁄4 or 1-ton
replacement with an insert. The commissioner expressed a desire to locate a department (or perhaps the
manufacturing facility) to inspect and better evaluate the insert under consideration. He remarked
that he saw one on an Egypt FD truck and would investigate there.
Secretary Sellman received confirmation from the Board that the PO for the Iconix Insert and
possible need for a permissive referendum (as outlined in the August District meeting) is canceled
and no longer viable.
District Administrator’s Report:
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve D. Sweet’s report with a second from S. Shuler. The motion
passed by unanimous consent. ( See Appendix A & B )
Personnel & Leadership
Next leadership workshop scheduled for October 10 @ 18:30.
Dan noted there was another opportunity at Canandaigua FD for Ultrasound Diagnostics.
President Arman commented on a recent survey that found having a fitness center and instructor
was regarded with high value when considering to join a fire department.
Recruitment
No update.
Information/Technology (from R. Wilsey)
- Ryan to forward (on receipt) a selection of several projectors and speakers to M. Arman.
- Alpine software updates in progress. Working with them on being a beta-site for a new
attendance package (it’s been in test at a department down on Long Island).
OLD BUSINESS
Counsel Fletcher began a lengthy discussion with respect to the member that has been suspended
and is awaiting evaluation and processing through the legal system. As a result of the discussion, the
board concluded that the suspension continues with the next foreseeable decision point
corresponding to an upcoming September legal review.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter Kester commented that he appreciated the Board’s honest conversation.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
At approximately 20:00, R. Wilsey made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by S.
Shuler, passing by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted by
Tom Sellman
District Secretary,
Mendon Fire District
