MENDON FIRE DISTRICT
Board of Commissioner
District Meeting Minutes (Draft – V2)
August 14th, 2025
ROLL CALL (meeting called to order 19:00 hrs. on 08/14/2025 by R. Wilsey)
| PRESENT | NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO | Baumer, Heidi | Treasurer | OOT Business |
| NO | Considine, Dan | Commissioner | |
| YES | Fletcher, William | General Counsel | |
| YES | Friedlander, David | MFD Deputy 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
| NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Chip Knapp | MFD Vice-President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Casey Fitzpatrick | MFD Lieutenant | |
| Lucas Fitzpatrick | Boy Scout Troop 105 | Citizenship in Community Merit Badge |
| Greg Francesco | MFD Member | |
| Sam Jokl | New MF Department RAM Member | Board Introduction |
PUBLIC COMMENT
VP Knapp introduced Sam Jokl, a new RAM voted into the Mendon Fire Department at their meeting
the prior week. Sam gave a brief summary of his background as a senior student athlete at Honeoye
Falls High and Eagle Scout – with a Q&A session and congratulations extended.
CALENDAR / MEETING ROOM REQUEST REVIEW
None.
SECRETARY ITEMS
Past Meeting Minutes: S. Shuler motioned to approve the meeting minutes for the July 10th District
meeting. This was seconded by J. Shipe and passed with unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
Calendar Reminders: Secretary Sellman reviewed several calendar items coming up in the next
couple months including:
- Budget Workshop – Sept. 4th
- AFDSNY annual meeting in Saratoga Springs Oct. 2nd– 4th
- Budget Hearing & District Meeting – Oct 21st
- District Elections – Dec. 9th (Commissioner Shuler’s term expiration)
Secretary Sellman noted a conflict with the scheduled November District Meeting ( Nov 13th ) falling
in the same time-frame as the Symposium in the Sun Conference. After discussion, it was decided to
reschedule the District Meeting to November 20th, 2025.
District Correspondence:
A couple items were received from Chief Tschiderer: Proposed update to the Fire Police SOG, and a
PO request (with sizing question) for exterior PPE gear (all to be handled later in the meeting).
A response was received (see Appendix E) from HFL-CSD Board with respect to the Department’s
presentation and lobby effort at their May 2025 Board Meeting. Mendon Fire Department was
asking for them to consider enacting a 10% Tax Exemption for Volunteer Firefighters (as done by
Monroe County). The request was declined by the HFL-CSD Board.
MENDON FIRE DEPT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT (Vice President Knapp)
Members Building
Chip asked Lieutenant Fitzpatrick to review status with respect to Department’s plan for replacement
of the members outbuilding. Several issues were raised that the Department wanted to ask the
District for permission / consensus approval (and guidelines) as it involves the District resources.
First was the use of the metered electric circuit from the station to the existing building. Exploration
of adaptation from street transformer was prohibitively expensive. At the end of discussion, there
was no objection to keeping the existing circuit. Secondly, the Department wanted approval for a
concrete apron from the planned new antique truck bay to the existing station parking lot. This too
was approved with the caveat that it will incorporate the necessary drainage (similar to that in the
existing concrete sidewalk leading from the parking lot to the current members building).
C. Fitzpatrick also reviewed his conversation with Mendon Code Enforcement Officer Corey Gates to
discuss (a) the process of obtaining all required permits and that given preliminary plans there were
no problems foreseen, and (b) any consideration of future water/sanitary planning ( e.g. plumbing,
etc. for bathroom) was ill-advised due to the typical property use and commensurate highway-rated
construction requirements of a full septic system – resulting in an untenable financial impact.
Power-Washer Project
Chip initiated discussion with respect to obtaining the District approval for installation of the power-
washer system that the Department recently approved for purchase with the stipulation that the District must approve and would also fund the annual maintenance cost ( quoted at $ 306.25
annually). Location of the unit (with it’s small footprint : 34”x24”x37” ) centered on where the
yellow cascade tanks are – with other factors (existing workbench, step ladders, station electric
supply / breakers, county radio systems and the anticipation of the antique truck relocating to the
new members building) brought up. When questioned about community benefit (by J. Shipe), the
reply was (a) better cleaning and therefore longevity of equipment/trucks (b) service as another
benefit that contributes to member retention. Concerns were expressed regarding possible
negative impact on station doors, vehicles grease fittings. After all discussion, S. Shuler motioned
that the District approve the installation (by the Fire Department) of their power washer system into
the station and that the District will pay up to $300 for the annual maintenance. This was seconded
by R. Wilsey and approved by majority vote of those present: 3 – Yes (Wilsey, Shuler, Joint), 1 – No
(Shipe), No Abstentions.
Department Events
Chip gave a summary report of the Carnival Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation event. He also
briefed the Board on preliminary thoughts/plans for the Department’s Fall Festival ( inclusion of
food-truck rodeo aspect, focused activities with respect to adult recruiting.
CHIEF’S REPORT
See Appendix A for content presented in Chief Tschiderer’s report.
Chief was directed to follow up on missed Healthworks appointment by firefighter.
Purchase Orders
- 1 Set (coat/pant) Viking exterior PPE (for firefighter Oppelt) : contract pricing @ $1600
- Training: NFA Incident Safety Officer Class ( Friedlander ) : $ 595
J. Shipe motioned to accept the purchase orders – seconded by D. Joint and passed by unanimous
consent: 4-0-0.
SOG : 5020 Fire Police Operations
Chief Tschiderer submitted a revised SOG for approval. After a lengthy and vigorous discussion, the
SOG submitted was not approved by the majority of those present: 0 – Yes, 3 – No ( Shipe, Shuler,
Joint), 1 – Abstention (Wilsey). Therefore, the directive submitted at the August Department
meeting is rescinded and the SOG as written prior to the new submission becomes the effective one.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Voucher & Reconciliation Review
After review of the voucher and reconciliation by the Board members present, D. Joint motioned to
accept the treasurer’s report and pay the bills – seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous
consent of those present: 4-0-0. See Appendix B for submitted content.
OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Capital Projects / Special Projects (S. Shuler)
NYS VFIRE Grant Project Status
S. Shuler led a discussion regarding status of the Grant Project, indicating he had received three
responses of which one turned the project down based on additional information. The two
remaining entities were DGA and the Nichols team. Steve Shuler elaborated that in discussions,
four items/areas were prioritized: (1) sleeping space for four people, (2) changes in the
Boardroom to create better office space, (3) creation of a mezzanine for storage in the station,
and (4) shower upstairs.
Chief Tschiderer voiced a strong concern that the Operations-side of the District wasn’t included
in the discussions despite months of requests to participate and assurances by the Board for
inclusion. Chief also express a concern that the vendors would be predisposed to a set of ideas
and project direction without wider input. R. Wilsey suggested (1) a list of priorities be
constructed by the Line and given to the Board, then (2) once the vendor is selected (using the
RFP as the more general criteria), a meeting of the wider audience of participants could take
place to address priorities / ideas.
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 |
367 Squad Truck Replacement: New 367 in the station truck bay.
Buildings and Grounds (S. Shuler)
Nothing new… just standard mowing / grounds / window maintenance.
Personnel & Leadership
District Administrator’s Report
S. Shuler motioned that the District Administrator’s report (see Appendix D) be approved. This was
seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0
Leadership
D. Considine out – no report.
Information/Technology (R. Wilsey)
Anticipating need to acquire $3K on new computers – Ryan indicated had contact with the newest
Dell representative work some issues. Looking at straightening out process in addition to some
tablet and projector equipment concerns.
Brief update given on recent network outage issues with a possible ramification of looking at
competitive suppliers (e.g. StarLink).
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chief Tschiderer noted a couple miscommunications between District personnel as it related to the
NY State Grant handling and name recognition that he perceived as being divisive.
G. Franscesco also called for more calm, honest and well-mannered conversation during discussions
between participants when there are differences in opinions.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
At 20:44 R. Wilsey motioned to adjourn, seconded by S. Shuler, passing by unanimous consent: 4-0-
0.
CHANGES
Draft V2: (08/27/2025) Section NYS VFIRE Grant Project Status : Chief requested his commentary
be more explicitly stated regarding discussion inclusion.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by
Tom Sellman,
District Secretary
Mendon Fire District
