ROLL CALL ( meeting called to order 19:00 hrs. on 01/09/2025 by R. Wilsey)
| PRESENT | NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Yes | Baumer, Heidi | Treasurer | |
| 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 |
| Mike Arman | MFD President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Pete Kester | MFD 2nd Assist. Chief | |
| Chip Knapp | MFD Vice President | Representing MFD Board of Directors |
| Mady Etter & Family | RAM Recruit | Mom, Dad, Brother: Stephanie, Steve, Grayson |
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
New RAM Candidate Introduction
Department VP Knapp introduced Mady Etter (a Jr. at HFL High School) to the Board for a brief
interview and welcome by the Board. Mady introduced her family and expressed interest in a
nursing/medical career post high school with a particular interest in the EMS operations of the Fire
Department.
CALENDAR / MEETING ROOM REQUEST REVIEW
The following meeting room requests (for year 2025) were submitted for approval. S. Shuler
motioned to approve the request, seconded by R. Joint and passing with unanimous consent of those
commissioners present: 4-0-0.
| Jan 14 | Cub Scout Pack 105 Den Meeting 17:30 to 18:30 |
| Feb 28 | Cub Scout Pack 105 Pinewood Derby Setup 16:30 to 21:00 |
| March 1 | Cub Scout Pack 105 Pinewood Derby 8:00 to 13:00 |
| March 28-30 | Scout Troop 105 Pancake Breakfast 16:00 to 20:00 (Fri), 7:00 to 13:00 (Sat/Sun) |
SECRETARY ITEMS
Past Meeting Minutes
S. Shuler motioned to approve the December 30th 2024 Special District meeting minutes with a
second by J. Shipe. The motion passed with majority consent of those present: 3-0-1.
Out of Service Saws
Sellman reported that the chainsaw (one of two surveyed out-of-service) was donated to District
Admin Sweet’s contact. Chief noted the remaining K2 saw will be going tomorrow to the Greece
Central School RTE program.
Correspondence
Secretary Sellman reviewed an email received Jan. 8th by District Board members from MFD member
G. Francesco. The email was requesting approval of pursuing some continued educational
conferences and training opportunities. The consensus after discussion was that the Board is
generally in support of online opportunities with S. Shuler to reach out to Greg for some additional
details as to timing and costs.
CHIEF’S PPE REQUEST
Chief Tschiderer’s submitted Purchase request for turn-out gear from Viking: 4 sets @ $ 1700/set for total of $ 6800. He also reviewed the request for interior turn-out gear from Morning Pride is pending the final pricing (at NY State bid pricing). The board approved the purchase of the Viking sets (allowing ordering to proceed) deferring final approval for the Morning Pride until pricing/paperwork is completed. This was all by motion from S. Shuler with a second by J. Shipe, receiving unanimous approval by those present: 3-0-0.
MENDON FIRE DEPT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT (President Arman & V.P. Knapp)
M. Arman noted the first meeting for 2025 is not until Jan 15. He went on to outline initiatives for the
Department’s BOD:
- School Tax Exemption: Need to more definitively pursue to an outcome.
- Membership Retention: Continued improvement of, and creation of reasons for members to
wish to spend more time at the station. - Members Building Rehab: Though good developmental design progress has been made, a
decision was made to wait until after the Mendon Fire Carnival 2025 has transpired.
- Department Baseball Field Restoration and Community Availability: Mike gave a status
update and briefed the Board on conversations held with Rob Mehan, President of Mendon
Little League, but expressed a concern with regards to insurance liability if field to be made
available for public use. Commissioner Shuler will speak to District insurance representative
to ascertain what, if any issues of impact.
Dept. VP C. Knapp led the review of the following topics. - Community CPR Class: Feb 22 set for the 18-slot CPR class and outlined some event logistics
and social media posting. - V-Fire NY State Grant: Video-conference call coming up late-January where rules governing
the grant and operational aspects will be broadcast. Chip will provide update as to when.
Chip requested assistance from Treasurer Baumer in respect to accounting effort. - In-House Trainer(s) Search: Interest has been received with final submission deadline of Jan
24th. - EMS Bag Definition: Evaluation continuing on a single-bag solution with an estimated cost of
$ 325/bag (total of 8 bags required). - Recruiting Event Cottage Hotel: Points from discussion – Department event, no donations
(e.g. tips) accepted by the Department. - Member Incentive Proposal: Discussion was held regarding the December 10th member-
retention incentive program. Discussion points were: monies will be payable in 2026, based on 2024 rough estimate of payout given 2024 performance was approximately $ 59 K (as in December 10th meeting minutes), $ 17K budgeted for recruitment in 2025. S. Shuler motioned that the incentive program as detailed and proposed at December 10th meeting be accepted for use in 2025 and then subsequent payout scheduled for 2026. This was seconded by R. Joint and passed by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
CHIEF’S REPORT
See Appendix A for content presented in Chief Tschiderer’s report.
Purchase Requests
- MES : 5 sets Morning Pride Interior PPE NYS Contract Pricing: $ 21,996.25
- Witmer PSG: 10 sections 1.75” cross-lay hose (from Nov 2024 quote) $ 4980.00
- Snap Tite: TPX 11 sections 5” LDH $ 16,430.70
After discussion R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the purchase requests. This was seconded
by S. Shuler and passed unanimously by those present: 4-0-0.
J. Shipe initiated a brief discussion regarding the account setup required with the vendor that
would be the target of rental PPE gear.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Baumer gave an overview of her morning meeting with the new auditor Sean Hucko from
SVHB. Overall Heidi came away feeling good about the meeting; feeling that the auditor ‘brings a lot
of fresh perspective’ and some new automated approaches/tools for analysis. Heidi remarked that
she needs a few items to supply the auditor: (a) the last two years of the LOSAP report to Penflex
and (b) the investment statements of the plan through Glens Falls National Bank. Secretary Sellman
voiced that he would get the “A” items and forward to the Treasurer. In addition, Sellman felt that
he also had the “B” item – would investigate, and forward results to the Treasurer.
Treasurer Baumer also noted that the cover page of the budget delivered to the Town of Mendon
was incorrect with some paperwork mix-up such that in reality, it’s approximately $ 12K less than
what was given to the Town. In any event the District is still below the 2% cap. The correct pages
were distributed in the January 1st District Organizational meeting (available on the District website
and posted at the station).
There was discussion on current CD investments and plans for renewals to balance optimum interest
rates and timeframes of expected use. Treasurer Baumer reported that current balance in capital
reserve is $ 669,451.00.
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. The motion was seconded by S. Shuler
and passed by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Capital Projects / Special Projects / Buildings & Grounds (S. Shuler / J. Shipe)
J. Shipe informed the Board that the water heater approved (Oct 17 Board meeting) project has been
fully completed (as well as the thermostat in the radio-room.
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 to the Board everything is running OK and that the District is looking
into a new pickup.
Secretary Sellman requested clarification on where we are in the acquisition process and who has
the next-due action item. Commissioner Shipe indicated that the mini-bid will be built by the
February 13th District Meeting and sent to the Chief for review.
R. Joint indicated he is still looking into the pickup-truck insert that is projected for the new
pickup has not seen pictures of one installed in a known department. This led to discussion
initiated by R. Wilsey of another remaining action item: research of the insert to settle on it’s
appropriateness, and then match that to whatever truck would be planned for eventual
purchase. Assist. Chief Kester commented his recommendation that the truck and insert all be
included into one mini-bid.
Personnel & Leadership ( from D. Considine )
No report Commissioner absent.
Information/Technology (from R. Wilsey)
Need to locate missing Training laptop.
M. Arman reported that Jeff Stid (Applied Audio Service/Installation Manager-Consultant) coming
out Wednesday Jan 15th to look at the community room with respect to speakers and their
specification to match with a projector.
struggling through their processes, but the bulletin board should be back up this evening.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Shuler noted that the membership of IAFC needs to be taken care of. J. Shipe moved
that the bills and credit card that have come in late be paid. This seconded by R. Wilsey and passed
by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
At approximately 19:54, J. Shipe made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by S.
Shuler, passing by unanimous consent of those present: 4-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted by
Tom Sellman
District Secretary,
Mendon Fire District
