January 1,2023
Approved (01/01/2024) Minutes
| PRESENCE | NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Yes | Baumer, Heidi | Treasurer | |
| Yes | Considine, Dan | Commissioner | Re-elected Commissioner 12/13/2022) |
| Yes | Fletcher, William | General Counsel | |
| Yes | Morrell, Art | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Sellman, Tom | Deputy Secretary | Elected Dept. Secretary 12/08/22 |
| Yes | Shipe, John | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Shuler, Steve | Commissioner | |
| Yes | Wilsey, Ryan | Commissioner | Elected Dept. Lieutenant 12/08/2022 |
OTHER ATTENDEES NOTED
| NAME | CAPACITY | NOTES |
| Arman, Mike | Public Gallery / MFD Member | Elected Dept. President 12/08/2022 |
| Francesco, Greg | Public Gallery / MFD Member | Elected a Dept. Captain 12/08/2022 |
| Marchese, Lance | 2nd Asst. Chief (elect ) MFD | Elected Dept. 12/08/2022 |
| Friedlander, David | 1nd Asst. Chief (elect ) MFD | Elected Dept. 12/08/2022 |
| Knapp, Warren | Public Gallery / MFD Member | |
| Bendschneider, Earl | Public Gallery / MFD Member | Elected Dept. Treasurer 12/08/2022 |
| Marchese, Sierra | Public Gallery / MFD Member | Elected a Dept. Captain 12/08/2022 |
OPENING
The meeting was opened at 16:04 by Attorney William Fletcher requesting nominations for Chairman.
BOARD CHAIRMAN SELECTION
A. Morrell nominated R. Wilsey with second by S. Shuler. The motion passed by majority vote: 4 (yes), 0 (no), 1 (abstain) [ R. Wilsey not voting for himself ]. The meeting then continued under the direction of the new Chairman R. Wilsey.
BOARD VICE-CHAIRMAN SELECTION
Art Morrell nominated J. Shipe with second by S. Shuler. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING NOTICE ATTESTATION
Deputy Secretary T. Sellman confirmed a request submitted by Secretary J. McGinnis to the Sentinel for public notification of this organizational meeting (submitted 12/26/2022).
BOARD SECRETARY APPOINTMENT
S. Shuler nominated T. Sellman as District Secretary, seconded by J. Shipe. The motion passed with unanimous consent. D. Considine proposed salary to be same as previous Secretary. H. Baumer confirmed budget already set for that amount: $6000.00
BOARD TREASURER APPOINTMENT
R. Wilsey nominated H. Bauer as District Treasurer with $6000 salary, seconded by J. Shipe. Clarification comments indicated that budget had been set for $7500. The motion was retracted with a new motion by R. Wilsey nominating H. Bauer as treasurer with $7500 salary with second by A. Morrell. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
Treasurer Bonding of this position covered by District insurance policy per S. Shuler.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR PAYMENT RESOLUTION
R. Wilsey inquired what budget set for the position this year. H. Bauer indicated that for 2023, it was budgeted in a salary context ( vs. hourly) at $75000/yr. incorporating a 2.75% increase. Per J. Shipe/D. Considine, the context was switched to alleviate issues with current administrator having to clock in/out when supporting daytime department fire/EMS calls.
R. Wilsey asked about the part-time rate with multiple responses that it’s being kept at 2022 rate ($20.60) since there was no expectation of active usage (in answer to A. Morrell’s question as to why the rate was not being increased similar to other items).
In response to R. Wilsey requesting a motion to set district administrator salary at $75,000 and part-time at $20.60, D. Considine made motion with second by S. Shuler. A. Morrell voiced immediate concern that the numbers didn’t make sense. Discussion ensued with H. Baumer and D. Considine pulling up more numbers from budgets and payroll setting areas. The aforementioned motion was withdrawn. After discussion, R. Wilsey requested a new motion to approve a full-time hourly rate of $32.63 (a 3% increase from 2022) and part-time hourly rate of $20.60. The motion was made by J. Shipe, seconded by D. Considine and passed with unanimous consent.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY SELECTION
R. Wilsey asked for a motion to reappoint William Fletcher, Fire District Attorney with retainer of $11,000.00 for standard work; extraordinary work will be assigned and compensated as agreed at the time for the issue at hand. The motion was made by S.Shuler, seconded by J.Shipe, and passed with unanimous consent.
DISTRICT DEPUTY TREASURER APPOINTMENT
R. Wilsey asked for a motion to reappoint Dale Sweet as Deputy Treasurer. The motion was made by J. Shipe and seconded by S. Shuler, and passed with unanimous consent.
GROUP APPROVAL
R. Wilsey asked for a motion to simultaneously approve four areas (as written below) simultaneously. The motion was made by S. Shuler, seconded by J. Shipe, and passed with unanimous consent.
Memberships and Dues Resolution
The District will continue with the NYS Fire District Officers Assoc., NFPA, and NYS Chiefs Association, and Monroe County Fire District Officers. Also the International Assoc. Fire Chiefs for Commissioners and the three Chiefs.
Official Newspaper Resolution
The District will continue with the Honeoye Falls Sentinel being the principle newspaper and the Democrat and Chronicle as back up or if timing of publication is an issue.
Insurance Agency
The District will continue with McNeil & Co. pending a review of competitive agencies in 2023.
Bank
The District will continue with Canandaigua National Bank.
FIRE DISTRICT CHIEF APPROVALS
R. Wilsey observed that last year the approvals were done simultaneously. S. Shuler requested that they be considered independently.
Chief
D. Considine made a motion to accept the departments submission and thereby name S. Tschiderer as District Chief. This was seconded by A. Morrell. The motion passed: 3 (yes), 1 (no) and 1 (abstain). The abstention by J. Shipe was based on a concern with a draft contract submitted to the district by S. Tschiderer.
1st Assistant Chief
D. Considine made a motion to accept the departments submission and thereby name D. Friedlander as 1st Assistant Chief. This was seconded by J. Shipe. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
2nd Assistant Chief
D. Considine made a motion to accept the departments submission and thereby name L. Marchese as 2nd Assistant Chief. This was seconded by J. Shipe. The motion passed by majority vote: 4 (yes) 0 (no) 1 (abstain). The abstention was by A. Morrell.
———- START COMPREHENSIVE RESOLUTION APPROVAL ————
As agreed to by all board members, the resolutions below (due to their similarity and/or exact reproduction as resolved in 2022) were passed en masse once the entire group was put forth.
Reimbursement Rate, Operational Committee Appointments, District Meeting Dates/Time, District Workshop Meetings Dates/Times, District Election Of Commissioners Date/Time, 2023 Conference Participation, Public Notice Posting, Invoice Payments Without Prior Board Authorization, Investment Of District Funds Resolution, Annual Audit Process, Ada Title II, District Rules & Regulations, Conflict Of Interest, Treasurer’s Bond, District Administrator Appointment, District Reserve Funds, Annual Audit Firm
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REIMBURSEMENT RATE RESOLUTION
Mileage will be reimbursed at whatever the current 2023 IRS rate is at time of reimbursement submission. As of 01/01/2023 it was $0.655/mile.
OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS RESOLUTION
| COMMITTEE | ASSIGNMENT |
| Apparatus | A. Morrell |
| Buildings and Grounds | J. Shipe, S. Shuler |
| Personnel | D. Considine, S. Shuler, R. Wilsey |
| Insurance | D. Considine, S. Shuler, J. Shipe |
| Information / Technology | R. Wilsey |
| Purchases | Dale Sweet |
| Special Projects | S. Shuler |
| Long Term Planning | D. Considine, S. Shuler |
DISTRICT MEETING DATES/TIME RESOLUTION
After discussion, it was agreed that unless there are special circumstances that arise, or if NYS or AFDSNY stipulate otherwise (elections, budget hearing, etc.), normal meetings will be the 2nd Thursday of the month starting at 19:00.
Editors Note: J. Shipe indicated that Election Day could be any day of the 2nd week of Dec., however let the record indicate that AFDSNY June-July Fire District Affairs specifies the second Tuesday in December in accordance with Town Law §175.
| MONTH | DAY | NOTE |
| January | 12 | |
| February | 9 | |
| March | 9 | |
| April | 13 | |
| May | 11 | |
| June | 8 | |
| July | 13 | |
| August | 10 | |
| September | 14 | |
| October | 19 | Budget hearing can be any week day |
| November | 9 | |
| December | 12 | Tuesday (Std Meeting + Election Day) |
| January of 2024 | 1 | Organizational meeting @ 16:00 Swearing-in Ceremony @ 17:00 |
DISTRICT WORKSHOP MEETINGS DATES/TIMES RESOLUTION
It was agreed that there will be workshop meetings for the following two subject matters:
1. Rules and Regulations
2. Budget Workshop
Dates are TBD, but with a starting time of 18:00
INSPECTION DINNER RESOLUTION
This removed as R. Wilsey indicated the district no longer holds an Inspection Dinner.
DISTRICT ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS DATE/TIME RESOLUTION
Until otherwise, and in keeping with the AFDSNY June-July Fire District Affairs article (which references Town Law §175), the election will be held December 12th from 16:00 to 21:00.
2023 CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION RESOLUTION
The district requires at least one chief to be in town during any training trips.
A. Morrell expressed (with general agreement from the board) the following stipulation in situations where there are open slots due to planned attendees not being able to go:
Open slots are to be offered up to junior officers, and then to the general rank & file if it is viewed as beneficial to the department and individual.
| Conference / Location | Dates | Planned Attendees |
| FDIC / Indianapolis, IN | April 24-29 | Five personnel total |
| FIREHOUSE Expo / Columbus, OH | Sept 25-29 | One Chief, Two Company Officers |
| AFDNYS Leadership Expo / Verona, NY | May 18-20 | Commissioners, Two Chiefs, 2 Company Officers |
| IAFC / Kansas City, MO | Aug 16-18 | Commissioners, Two Chiefs |
| IAFC – Vol. Combo / Clearwater, FL | Nov 9-12 | Commissioners, Attorney, Two Officers |
PUBLIC NOTICE POSTING RESOLUTION
Mendon Fire District Public Notices will be posted at the Mendon Town Hall, the Mendon Fire House, the District website, and the digital sign in front of the station.
INVOICE PAYMENTS WITHOUT PRIOR BOARD AUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION
The Treasurer is authorized to pay utility charges, health insurance, credit card charges, fuel bills, and copier invoices without prior authorization of the board.
INVESTMENT OF DISTRICT FUNDS RESOLUTION
The Treasurer may, with the approval of the Mendon Fire District, invest funds not needed for immediate expenditure, in certificates of deposit and other financial vehicles authorized by law, provided however that the board must authorize any withdrawals and investments.
ANNUAL AUDIT PROCESS RESOLUTION
The annual audit required by Town Law is to be scheduled by the Secretary or the Treasurer, and the results rendered to the Commissioners. Further, the treasurer is directed to file a copy of the annual financial report to the state comptroller as required by General Municipal law, section 30.
ADA Title II RESOLUTION
The District Administrator will lead the survey committee to inspect the buildings of this district with compliance of the Americans with Disability Act, Title II.
DISTRICT RULES & REGULATIONS RESOLUTION
The Board of Fire Commissioners will continue with its approval of the Mendon Fire District Commissioners Rules and Regulations for the year 2023 or until reviewed by the board and updated.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST RESOLUTION
The Board of Fire Commissioners hereby directs that all employees and officers of the District submit a disclosure statement with respect to any dealings of such individuals with the district where they are employees, shareholders, directors, officers or owners, or partners and /or if there is any other conflict of interest with those of the District.
TREASURER’S BOND RESOLUTION
The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Mendon Fire District hereby approves the treasurer bond in the amount of $1.5 million.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTMENT
The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Mendon Fire District hereby reappoints Dale Sweet as the District’s Administrator for the calendar year 2023 or until further ordered by this Board.
DISTRICT RESERVE FUNDS RESOLUTION
The Mendon Fire District continues to set forth two Reserve Fund accounts.
Capital Reserve: (Formerly known as the Equipment Capital Reserve account.) The purpose of this account is to recondition / replace apparatus and other capital items not included in the annual operating fund.
Building Repair: The purpose of this account is to fund unanticipated or long term structural and building improvements not normally included in the annual operating fund.
ANNUAL AUDIT FIRM RESOLUTION
The commissioners shall retain McDonald CPA Firm PC to conduct the annual audit of 2022.
———————— END COMPREHENSIVE RESOLUTION APPROVAL ————————–
R. Wilsey made a motion to approve the above comprehensive resolution group for 2023 with a second by S. Shuler. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
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OUTLINE OF COMMISSIONER ELECTION CYCLE
| Commissioner Name | Term End-Date |
| Dan Considine | 12/31/2027 |
| Arthur Morrell | 12/31/2023 |
| John Shipe | 12/31/2024 |
| Steve Shuler | 12/31/2025 |
| Ryan Wilsey | 12/31/2026 |
DEPUTY SECRETARY APPOINTMENT
Due to several known schedule conflicts due to planned travel by the current Secretary, R. Wilsey nominated Sierra Marchese as District Deputy Secretary for 2023 at the part-time rate stipulated above ($20.60). This was seconded by S. Shuler and passed with unanimous consent.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
D. Considine made a motion at 16:38 to adjourn, and was seconded by J. Shipe. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted
Tom Sellman
Secretary
Mendon Fire District