ROLL CALL ( meeting called to order 19:02 hrs. on 12/12/2023 by R. Wilsey)
| PRESENT | NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Yes | Baumer, Heidi | Treasurer | |
| No | Considine, Dan | Commissioner | Traveling on business |
| Yes | Fletcher, William | General Counsel | |
| No | Friedlander, David | MFD 1st Assistant Chief | |
| 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 Member | President – Board of Directors |
| Greg Francesco | MFD Member | Captain / EMS Captain |
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CALENDAR / MEETING ROOM REQUEST REVIEW
A request was received through the MFD Contact Us web portal from Tiffany Wagner inquiring about pavilion use rules/regs/fees. Pavilion Rental Form sent out but no additional contact made. J. Shipe commented that Ms. Wagner is the daughter of past member John Schwartz.
There following meeting room requests (for year 2023) were submitted for approval. R. Wilsey motioned to approve the request, seconded by S. Shuler and passing with unanimous consent of those commissioners present (Shipe, Shuler, Wilsey): 3-0-0
Savvy Dog Sports, Inc.: March 9th Meeting Room 7 AM thru 5 PM
SECRETARY ITEMS
Approval of November 2nd District Meeting Minutes
S. Shuler motioned to approve the minutes with a second by R. Wilsey. The motion passed with unanimous consent of those commissioners present (Shipe, Shuler, Wilsey): 3-0-0
MENDON FIRE DEPT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT (given by Department President Arman)
End Of Year Point Review
M. Arman elaborated that there was significant discussion at the Department Board meeting with respect to how can other activities that a member heavily contributes to the department (e.g. Scout/Explorer liaison/representative/coordinator, performing building/equipment projects at the station). Mike further relayed that there’s a perception that the introduction of LOSAP was the genesis of an additional burden – when in reality a comparison to 2009-era point requirements showed it to be on par with current compliance values for call response.
CHIEF’S REPORT (by Chief Tschiderer)
Chief gave a review of 2023 Fire/EMS operations. He also presented data with respect to current department response times as compared to 2021, 2022. See the various Appendix C and Appendix D pages for content presented.
• Chief discussed some short fallings with respect to the Fire Police Training during Monday night drills. A performance improvement plan has been identified going forward. Training to meet with newly elected Fire Police Captain
• Chief has RFQ out to TNR Environmental for non-compliant foam disposal.
• When asked by H. Bauer to elaborate on any large expenses anticipated (so as to get capital accounts funded appropriately), Chief responded that we’re still out a ways researching. One item was to perhaps approve early purchases for upcoming 2024 training conferences $9,074.
• Pelican IM 3075 case @ $ 440.95 – for trial program of interior FF / EMT that is geographically distant from station to respond directly to a specific call types meeting pre-defined criteria and geographic criteria.
• EMS supplies @ ~ $320 (periodic resupply of drawn down stock)
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the purchase requests. This was seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous consent of those commissioners present: 3-0-0
TREASURER’S REPORT
H. Baumer reviewed that there’s approximately $ 137K in the checking account. There was discussion with respect to how much should be put into the capital budget with the anticipation of incoming Mendon Town funding that occurs in the 1st quarter.
J. Shipe motioned that at the end of the year (Dec 31st), $ 60K shall be kept in the checking account with the remaining funds going into the reserve ( equipment refurbishment, building repair, and capital expenditure ). This was seconded by R. Wilsey and passed by unanimous consent of those commissioners present: 3-0-0
Monthly Vouchers
S. Shuler made a motion to pay the bills and approve the treasurer’s report. This motion was seconded by J. Shipe and passed by unanimous consent of those commissioners present: 3-0-0. See Appendix B for the list of vouchers.
OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Capital Projects / Special Projects / Buildings & Grounds (S. Shuler / J. Shipe)
Landscaping & Grounds:
S. Shuler indicated he will be contacting Moreland regarding trimming station trees (they are running a special currently).
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 |
R. Wilsey started a discussion with respect to the need for replacement of District pick-up trucks ( 367 & 3C16 ). The discussion centered around the size that would be more appropriate ( F250, F350). An approach suggested was to purchase off the lot, retaining the ability to get the NYS pricing but immediate delivery. Additionally, the cost of getting vehicles wrapped (as opposed to customized painting) appears attractive in cost savings.
District Administrator’s Report:
See Appendix A for copy of the report. S. Shuler made a motion to approve D. Sweet’s report with a second from R. Wilsey. The motion passed by unanimous consent of those commissioners present: 3-0-0
Personnel (Commissioner D. Considine absent)
As a result of the recent receipt of LOSAP disbursement letters (sent to fully vested participants that have reached the age [62] required to initiate disbursement), T. Sellman provided the board with some additional insight regarding: (a) fee’s that were called out in Penflex’s letter (b) disbursement mechanisms and (c) investment performance and portfolio makeup of the underlying fund – all items examined in a recent phone conversation with a Penflex representative.
Information/Technology (from R. Wilsey)
– No items.
OLD BUSINESS
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve sending three firefighters to FDIC. This was seconded by S. Shuler and passed by unanimous consent of those commissioners present: 3-0-0
NEW BUSINESS
J. Shipe started a discussion with respect to replacement of the basement cage door (36” width, metal exterior). Discussion grew to cover the need for replacing many of the exterior station doors as they are rusting out at the bottom – having never been painted at install-time : only primed.
R. Wilsey raised a text request received from the Chief requesting that line officers be confirmed at the December business meeting so there’s available reaction time to get Class A uniform’s correct for the swearing-in ceremony – No confirmation occurred. Chief also asked if all the Line is to be sworn in as they are now considered District Officers – which elicited a positive response.
There was discussion regarding order of events at the upcoming District Organizational meeting. S. Shuler noted that the new commissioner will need to be sworn in prior to the meeting. As outlined in the NY Fire District Guide (Draddo), the Organizational meeting is opened (typically by the treasurer – but in the case of Mendon, has traditionally been done by General Counsel Fletcher). The next step would be to administer the oath to the new commissioner(s), followed by an election of a Chairperson by the Board Members and the remainder of the meeting.
R. Wilsey motioned that the Board approve a swearing-in ceremony for the new Commissioner and Line Officers to be held after the District Organizational Meeting (which begins at 16:00 Jan 1, 2024). The ceremony to be followed by food and drinks. This was seconded by J. Shipe and received unanimous consent by all commissioners present: 3-0-0
Announcement of the Organizational meeting date & time was published originally in January, 2023. T. Sellman will send a reminder to the Town Clerk and Sentinel.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
At 19:58, S. Shuler made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by J. Shipe, passing by unanimous consent of those commissioners present: 3-0-0
Respectfully Submitted by
Tom Sellman
District Secretary, Mendon Fire District
APPENDIX A: District Administrator Report ( Part 1 of 2 )
APPENDIX A: (cont.) District Administrator Report ( Part 2 of 2 )
APPENDIX B: Treasurer’s Report Vouchers
APPENDIX C: Chief’s Annual Report ( Part 1 of 3 )
APPENDIX C (cont.) : Chief’s Annual Report ( Part 2 of 3 )
APPENDIX C (cont.) : Chief’s Annual Report ( Part 3 of 3 )
APPENDIX D: Chief’s Annual Report – Response Times ( Part 1 of 2 )
APPENDIX D: Chief’s Annual Report – Response Times ( Part 2 of 2 )
