Board of Commissioner Meeting Minutes (Approved ) August 10th, 2023

ROLL CALL ( meeting called to order 19:05 hrs. on 08/10/2023 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	Morrell, Art	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 Member	President – Board of Directors
Lance Marchese	MFD Member	2nd Assistant Chief
Casey West	BSA: Seneca Waterways Council	Exploring Executive

PUBLIC COMMENT

None presented.

EXPLORER SCOUTING PRESENTATION

Discussion was held regarding the recent changes in the Fire Department’s Explorer Post with respect to leadership and the establishment of a new liaison. Ms. West reviewed the options for the Department to be in compliance with the BSA required youth-protection training. Options included either (a) individuals taking a BSA on-line course or (b) having Ms. West come to the Department to hold a training session for the comprehensive membership. She noted that having youth-protection training registered for a given individual from BSA’s perspective, the individual would have to create a BSA account and take the training individually. She also noted that registered Explorer leaders must also have a criminal background check in the BSA system. Commissioner Considine elaborated that a new process is being adopted by the District with respect to background checks for the entire Department membership.

CALENDAR / MEETING ROOM REQUEST REVIEW

There following meeting room requests (for year 2023) submitted for approval. J. Shipe motioned that they be approved with a second by S. Shuler, passing with unanimous consent: 5-0-0

August 9th : (previously polled for approval) Fire Service Regionalization/Consolidation Meeting (requested by Chief Tschiderer)

Oct 3rd : NY Forest Owners Assoc. Western Finger Lakes Chapter (requested by Mike Arman)

Dec 9th: Mendon Community Nursery School Gingerbread House workshop (requested by Amy Tschiderer)

Commissioner Morrell made an observation that he felt that if the Chief needs the room in advance of the next District Meeting, and if there are no known conflicts and he lets the Secretary know in advance, then there doesn’t need to be a majority approval by the commissioner’s in order to do so. This was found to be satisfactory by general consensus.

SECRETARY ITEMS

Approval of July 5th District Meeting Minutes

S. Shuler noted that the minutes had not reflected his objection correctly with respect to the voting for acceptance of the new Line Officer Qualifications. Secretary Sellman will correct and re-publish to the District website. R. Wilsey motioned to approve the corrected minutes from the July 5th District meeting with a second by J. Shipe. The motion passed with unanimous consent: 5-0-0

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

MENDON FIRE DEPT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT (given by Department President Arman)

Department Bank Account Maintenance

The department has a significant amount of funds that have been spread across two different institutions to be in alignment with the FDIC insurance guidelines. In addition, the Explorer account had here-to-fore been only visible to the Treasurer. Changes have been made such that online access has been put in place for all accounts so that the Department President and Secretary have visibility and full administrative access.

Members Building

President Arman reviewed that given the current state of funding/resources of the department, the building committee to investigate options for the Members Building is being restarted with Casey Fitzpatrick taking the lead. Casey (along with a mix of older and newer members) will be pursing the solicitation of ideas and formulating prospective plans/alternatives as it relates to the building.

CHIEF’S REPORT (by Chief Tschiderer)

CALLS (since 01/01/23)	161
APARATUS DAMAGE	None
INJURIES	None K. Morrell, E. Bendschneider, T. Lyons, and D. Considine on Non-LOSAP medical Leave.

Chief pointed out (with general consensus) that the District Rules & Regulations Rule 113 indicate that non-line-of-duty medical notifications require (1) a District leave form be completed on first notification and (2) approval to return to duty from the District Physician. Discussion indicated (with general consensus) that there is no standard form in existence and that a notification to the Chief is sufficient. There was discussion regarding what is sufficient in these circumstances with respect to a return to duty. Secretary Sellman to propose changes to Rule 113 and present at next meeting.
Calls of significance: MVAPT w/ HFFD (07/15), Fatal MVA/Car Fire w/ HFFD (07/29), Passenger from MVA on 03/24/2023 (Rt 64 & Smith) passed away 08/07 from complications resulting from accident.
Chief reviewed (with no action at this time since this is a transitional time frame for the newly adopted firefighter readiness policy) ongoing compliance evaluation of the membership. Chief, M. Arman, T. Sellman and D. Friedlander to review the evaluation process/results that may require some modifications that may not have been accounted for.
Good meeting (07/10/2023) with Chief, R. Wilsey and Fishers Fire District commissioners confirmed that Fire/Rescue Mutual Assistance arrangements still in place (contrary to prevalent rumors).
New RedAlert Modules (Paging / Work Order) installed with officer/District Admin training to occur next week.

Purchase Requests

Quantity 15 – Unication G5 Pagers with initial programming included ( $ 9577.50 )
Sprinkler System obstruction exam ( $950.00 )
Quantity 8 – Viking Exterior turnout-gear ( $13,600.00 )
1000’ ( quantity 20 @ 50’ sections) Mercedes 3” hose ( $7480.00 )

S. Shuler motioned to approve above four purchase requests with a second by A. Morrell. The motion passed by unanimous consent: 5-0-0

OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Capital Projects / Special Projects / Buildings & Grounds (S. Shuler / J. Shipe)

Parking-Lot Drains: S. Shuler elaborated that Andy Caschetta would be squeezing work on the four drains into his schedule this fall.

Driveway Sealing / Sidewalks: Put off until spring – not desirable to do concrete work just prior to winter and salt-season.

Landscaping & Grounds: There was discussion surrounding (1) the satisfaction of the grounds restoration by the Water Authority and (2) the blacktop pad surrounding the new hydrant. A. Morrell expressed a desire that it be larger. J. Shipe noted he’s been told the Authority is to raise the hydrant at the far end of the property.

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

A. Morrell expressed that the 367 project is moving forward with meetings upcoming with vendors of slide-in bodies. All District trucks are getting their standard inspections/oil changes per normal routine scheduled maintenance.

Personnel (reported by D. Considine)

Background Checks:

Dan indicated that he and Counsel Fletcher still need to consult on the issue of notifying the general membership. He indicated that he needs to draft said email and given the earlier discussion regarding youth protection training, that perhaps they would be combined – which would require some coordination with Casey West (BSA representative).

District Admin Coverage for Absences

Dan led a discussion regarding the search for someone to back-fill when the District Administrator is out of the office. He noted the need to advertise (with definitive requirements/expectations). A. Morrell expressed that prior to an external search, any opening opportunities should be presented to the Department membership first. Several people expressed that a good job description and requirements need to be drafted before offering any such opportunity to anyone. One suggestion for outside-of-dept search is to send a notice to MC Fire Coordinator Schalabba’s office for wider distribution. R. Wilsey expressed that the opportunity be presented at the September Department meeting with results presented at the September Commissioner’s meeting.

RAM Physicals

D. Considine to look at HFL and McQuaid ‘sports-physical’ form as an alternative for the reference to obtaining the OSHA physical examination suggesting Health Works (as they don’t for youth 18 and under) .

Employee Handbook

After discussion, the plan forward is to bring the most current content to the budget workshop (Aug 31) for presentation with a hard-stop for changes being the end of that meeting.

District Administrator’s Report: See Appendix B for copy of the report. S. Shuler made a motion to approve D. Sweet’s report with a second from D. Considine. The motion passed unanimously: 5-0-0

Information/Technology (from R. Wilsey)

– Work ongoing for the tracker and work-order module. iPad charging cables obtained for Chief Friedlander.

OLD BUSINESS

LOSAP / Penflex Funding : A letter and refund of $16,000.00 was received for overpayment (e.g. excess contribution) of monies approved and sent last month. See Appendix C. It was also observed that original letters from Penflex would not be correct since the District funded the entire 5 year buyback and therefore revised letters should be send – D. Considine to follow up with Penflex.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 20:18, J. Shipe made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a matter regarding the Fire Explorers. The motion was seconded by S. Shuler and received unanimous approval: 5-0-0.

At 21:05, the Board exited Executive Session and the regular meeting resumed. At this time D. Considine made a motion that the suspension of a Department member be continued until a re-evaluation at the District Meeting scheduled for September 14th. This was seconded by J. Shipe and received unanimous approval: 5-0-0.

NEW BUSINESS

None brought forward.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None brought forward.

MEETING ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn at 21:35 proposed by R. Wilsey and seconded by D. Considine with unanimous consent: 5-0-0

Respectfully Submitted by

Tom Sellman

District Secretary, Mendon Fire District

CORRECTIONS:

08/15/2023 V2 – Typo name of Amy Tschiderer, Pagers in equipment brand Unication ( vs. Unification)

APPENDIX A