ROLL CALL ( meeting called to order 19:00 hrs. on 10/17/2024 by R. Wilsey)
| PRESENT | NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| No | 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 | |
| No | Shuler, Steve | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Tschiderer, Steve | MFD, Chief | |
| Yes | Wilsey, Ryan | Commissioner (Chairman) |
OTHER ATTENDEES NOTED
| NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Mike Arman | MFD President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Chip Knapp | MFD Vice President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Sean McQuillan | MFD Member Prospect (RAM) | For District Introduction |
| Harrison Houle | MFD Member Prospect | For District Introduction |
| Ryan Buchanan | MFD Member Prospect | For District Introduction |
| Nate D’Alesandro | MFD Member Prospect | For District Introduction |
| Ken Hampson | MFD Past & Newly Rejoined Member | For District Introduction |
PUBLIC COMMENT
Meeting opened with a request for public comment on the proposed budget (September 12th) that
was: posted on the District website from Sept 17th and on the station bulletin board, submitted to
the Town Clerk. With no immediate comments, the time for public comment on the proposed
budget was extended until the Treasurer’s report.
Department President Arman introduced four individuals (Nate D’Alesandro, Ryan Buchanan, Sean
McQuillan, Ken Hampson) that were recently introduced at the October Department Meeting – each
expressing an interest in joining the Mendon Fire Department. Each prospect gave a brief synopsis of
their background and connection to the Mendon community. They were introduced to the District
Commissioners, the District’s Counsel and District Secretary with a brief explanation of their roles.
They were all encouraged to make as many drills & events prior to the November Department
meeting.
CALENDAR / MEETING ROOM REQUEST REVIEW
There following meeting room requests (for year 2024) were submitted for approval.
R. Wilsey motioned to approve all events, with a second by D. Considine – passing by unanimous
consent of those present: 4-0-0
Nov 2. Wellness Workshop (Considine sponsor)- 08:00 to 12:00
Nov 5. Mendon Community Nursery School Bake Sale- 06:00 to 21:00
Nov 10. R. Schafman Birthday (Battle sponsor)- 11:30 to 15:30
SECRETARY ITEMS
Past Meeting Minutes
D. Considine motioned to approve the September 12th 2024 District meeting minutes with a second
by R. Wilsey. The motion passed with unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
District Elections
Secretary Sellman reviewed items of note related to the upcoming District Elections. Counsel
Fletcher indicated he will be making the request for the voter rolls from the Board of Elections. It
was noted that Mendon Fire District does not use absentee ballots. He also noted that the Fire
District Board of Elections Chair was appointed ( MFD President Arman) at the January 2024
organizational meeting with the authority to appoint the election inspectors / ballot clerks with a
pay of $100. The legal notice of the election is prepared and will be released to the Sentinel,
Mendon Town and District website for publication on or immediately following Nov 6th. Petitions
have been prepared for those with satisfactory credentials and will be available then as well.
Correspondence
Chief Tschiderer reviewed a letter received from Chief Mark Alberts (Bushnell’s Basin Fire
Department) vouching for Fire Police Captain Ray Beardsley to become a mutual aid member of
Mendon FD.
J. Shipe motioned to accept R. Beardsley as a mutual aid member with a second by R. Wilsey. The
motion passed with unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
MENDON FIRE DEPT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT (President Arman)
- Carnival grounds lighting project: M. Arman noted the final cost (approx. $ 12K) and
expressed his thanks to member Larry Kaplan for leading the project with significant cost
savings. - Annual District Inspection Dinner and Dept Banquet: President Arman initiated a discussion
with respect to funding typically received from the District towards the annual banquet.
There had been a discussion at the budget workshop with respect to maintaining that funding
in light of the recruiting/retention incentive budget cost. At the end of the discussion, there was
a consensus that this would be decided at the January 2025 organizational meeting. - Upcoming Department Elections: President Arman initiated a discussion with respect to
concerns about viable staffing of line officer candidates and being able to meet the District
Rules/Regulations requirements for officer positions. In the discussion, Chief Tschiderer
made it clear that as Chief, he was not supporting going with qualifications that would not
meet the minimum NY State qualifications. P. Kester observed that in his view, there’s many
that have not made attempts at training classes to raise their qualification levels. At a level of
compromise, there was discussion that current line officers could possibly stay at their
current level, but there is no advancement without the proper coursework.
CHIEF’S REPORT
See Appendix C for content presented in Chief Tschiderer’s report.
Note: due to a schedule conflict, new member candidate Harrison Houle arrived and went through
the same introduction process as the earlier candidates.
There was a discussion about the need for all members of the department with non-line-of-duty
medical issues to comply with the medical leave policy with respect to notifications of notifications
for exiting service and their return to service once medically cleared by the District Physician.
Available Grants:
Chief requested permission to pursue an annual DEC 50% matching grant – and if acquired, use the
funds to offset the cost and purchase four cross lays. J. Shipe motioned for approval to pursue the
grant with a second by R. Wilsey. The motion passed with unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0
Purchase Requests
- Six 5-packs for new style Fire Police Cones – $ 1908.00 After discussion R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the purchase request. The motion failed to pass by unanimous disapproval of those present: 0-4-0.
- Physio Control AED Batteries and Pads – $ 2460.00 + shipping. R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the purchase request. This was seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
- New Helmet Shield Passport System – $ 2,500.00 J. Shipe led a discussion regarding the new system. At the end of the discussion, the consensus was to table the request until the March 2025 District Meeting.
Chief noted that the battery powered saws recently acquired have all be put in service and requested
a motion to survey the old gas-powered saws out of service. R. Wilsey motioned to survey the old
saws out of service and was seconded by J. Shipe. The motion passed by unanimous consent of those
present: 4-0-0
Chief led a discussion with respect to staffing needs ( duty, volunteer duty shifts per diem, career
staff, etc.) – presenting ‘back-of-the-napkin’ estimates for weekly ( Sun-Sat : 06:00 to roughly
midnight) The levels of personnel can fluctuate due to ‘expected’ volunteer availability on weekends
and Monday evenings . His observations note that manpower and response times continue to fall
behind even in the context of ideas and initiatives with regards to recruiting & retention efforts. This
prompted a review of the next leadership workshop – with an eventual schedule of November 6th as
the next one to discuss these issues.
TREASURER’S REPORT
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills. The motion was
seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous consent. See Appendix B for the vouchers presented
and approved.
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the adopted 2025 budget (from the September District
meeting). The motion was seconded by D. Considine and passed by unanimous consent of those
present: 4-0-0. See Appendix D for the finalized 2025 District Budget.
OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Capital Projects / Special Projects / Buildings & Grounds (S. Shuler / J. Shipe)
J. Shipe presented a purchase request to repair the radio room heater. Need to replace the zone
valve and add thermostat and transformer: Schueler Heating & AC. J. Shipe motioned for approval
( $ 865.00 – Schueler HVAC ). This was seconded by R. Wilsey and passed with unanimous consent of
those present: 4-0-0.
J. Shipe presented two purchase requests for test of FDC ($ 1150.00) and extension of sprinkler head
on second floor of station ($ 1480.00): All from Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection. J. Shipe motioned for
that was seconded by D. Considine and passed with unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
J. Shipe started a discussion of prices (estimate $ 4,466.00) and details for replacement man-doors
under investigation. After discussion, this was tabled until the District attains three quotes or
determines if available via County Schedule Bid.
Discussion was had with respect to SCBA bottle fill cascade system replacement. The outcome was
the Chief to investigate further with mutual aid assistance in bottle fills.
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 noted that he and the District Administrator located only two of the truck inserts
in NY State – they will be looking at taking a road trip to investigate.
District Administrator’s Report:
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve D. Sweet’s report with a second from D. Considine. The
motion passed by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0. (See Appendix A)
Personnel & Leadership
Next leadership workshop is scheduled for November 06 @ 18:30.
R. Wilsey asked if it has been determined whether a MFD member under 21 years of age who has
a current CDL (Commercial Drivers License) can be certified as a MFD firefighter driver within the
context of the District’s insurance. D. Considine indicated he would research with the District
insurance (and determine if there are any caveats/restrictions).
Recruitment (From C. Knapp)
Efforts continue for RAM recruiting at HFL High School with new posters. Appointment set
next week at the VA (exiting veterans – seem likely to be a good fit/target audience).
C. Knapp outlined a proposal to establish two part-time NY State certified professional
trainers for a six month period. See Appendix E for an example cost structures. Issues with
respect to contract requirements, postings, qualification prerequisites, alignment of RAM’s
and probationary members for training were touched on. After discussion, R. Wilsey motioned
that the District move forward with an investigation into the aforementioned initiative. D.
Considine seconded the motion which passed by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
Information/Technology (from R. Wilsey)
- Ryan owes the Dell representative a call-back with regards to President Arman’s projector/speaker ask. Asst. Chief Friedlander needs a laptop case.
OLD BUSINESS
Chief Tschiderer noted that the gas-powered Honda mini-light / generator may be added to the gas-
powered saws with respect to being surveyed out of service (since the StreamLight battery scene
lights are now fully in service).
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter Kester commented that “the Board is moving in the right direction.”
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
At approximately 20:25, R. Wilsey made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by J.
Shipe, passing by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
Modifications: Draft – V2 : Chief’s Report : correction to augmented staffing time-frames
Respectfully Submitted by
Tom Sellman
District Secretary,
Mendon Fire District
