Meeting Minutes
Absent: Commissioner Roberts.
- CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Gallitto called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.MOTION by Comm. Russo-Driska/Comm. Gregorio to suspend the rules of the meeting to allow the Chief of Police to introduce himself to the Commission. Unanimously approved.
Chairman Gallitto welcomed acting Middletown Police Chief Patrick McMahon to the South Fire District.
Acting Chief McMahon began by saying he wanted to make sure he introduced himself to other elected groups and assured us that with the current situation at the police department being what it is, they will continue to do their best to address our needs and concerns from a law enforcement perspective and he will continue to have a great relationship with Chief Badamo and the other Fire Chiefs throughout the city.
Chairman Gallitto invited Acting Chief McMahon to contact the Commission if they can be of any assistance.
- OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Chairman Gallitto opened public session at 7:06 p.m.
No one wished to speak. - CLOSE PUBLIC SESSION
Chairman Gallitto closed public session at 7:06 p.m. - MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
A. REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
MOTION to approve minutes of September 14, 2009 Regular Meeting by Comm. Russo-Driska/Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved. - TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
The Commission reviewed the Tax Collector's Report submitted by Tax Collector Cindy Gotta.MOTION to approve Tax Collector's Report by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
A. TAX REBATES
MOTION to approve tax rebates in the amount of $7184.72 by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
- MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS
Financial Advisor Sharon Maloney reviewed her reports and answered questions of the Commission members.Commissioner Russo-Driska asked Ms. Maloney to clarify an issue brought up last month by a member of the public in regards to replacements and callbacks.
Ms. Maloney responded first by stating that in regards to our financial statements they are interim financial statements. At the end of every month, we don't accrue expenses that were incurred in the current period into the current period but paid in the future. So at the end of every year there is a timing difference between when the employees work and when they get paid. If an employee gets paid in July, those are actually expenses from June. This happens every single month. However journal entries are not made every single month. The Auditor makes the entries. In the end, it will all wash out at the end of the year after all journal entries are made.
For further clarification, Commissioner Russo-Driska confirmed that the $6,000-$7,000 discrepancy in question is simply a month to month adjustment that gets made and in the end it all washes out. By the eye it would look like a discrepancy until the end of the year when the journal entries are made and everything balances out.
Ms. Maloney said the real question at this point is what's happening and where are we now. She ran a comparative report from July 1st to September 30th of 2008 and the same time period of 2009. The fire department salaries are higher this year by $61,000. Replacements and callbacks are lower by $76,000.
In addition, we have one employee out on Worker's Comp. We do not get paid for the time that employee is out until about 5 or 6 weeks after they go out. Therefore, their wages are still included in fire department salaries and so is the replacement. When the money comes in we apply it against the cost of the replacement.
Commissioner Russo-Driska asked Ms. Maloney if any other line items are a concern to her at this point. Ms. Maloney said her concern right now is medical insurance.
MOTION to approve Monthly Financial Reports by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
- CHIEF'S REPORT
Chief Badamo reviewed his report and answered questions of the Commission members.In addition to items on his report, Chief Badamo advised the Commission that we have had some large dollar repairs to the ladder truck recently and some still to be made. He impressed upon the Commission a future replacement of the truck.
Chief Badamo also reported that this year's Open House went off without a hitch. Despite the rain it was very well attended. He extended his thanks to Deputy Chief Krol, the Open House Committee and the Union for their efforts.
Currently overtime is at 1/2 to 1/3 the overtime it was in previous years.
Included in Chief Badamo's report was our hosting of Chinese Interns for a day. Work continues on the Buckeye pipeline and the Algonquin pipeline work is complete. The new windows have been installed throughout the building, the Smart Board has been installed in the meeting room and the new pickup truck has been ordered.
In regards to the Code of Ethics the District approved a Code of Ethics on June 11, 2001. (A packet containing the Code of Ethics and supporting documentation was distributed to present Commission members and was made available to the public). The City of Middletown serves as our Board of Ethics.
Further discussion ensued in regards to the CNR and the future purchase of a new ladder truck.
MOTION to approve Chief Edward Badamo's Report by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
- DEPUTY CHIEF/FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
Deputy Chief Krol reviewed his report and answered questions of the Commission members.Deputy Chief Krol added that this year's Open House had more exhibitors than any previous year. He extended this thanks to United Recovery and Restoration of Middlefield for building and donating the burn simulators that worked perfect. He added that the Rotary Club processed over 80 child ID's in the last 2 hours. He extended his thanks to the Open House Committee as well.
MOTION to approve Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Steven Krol's report by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
- DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS REPORT
The Commission reviewed the report submitted by Deputy Chief of Operations Marc Fongemie.In addition to Deputy Chief Fongemie's report, Chief Badamo added that this year we purchased our own SCBA Fit Testing machine so we can do the testing in house.
Chief Badamo gave an update on the flu clinics in the area.
MOTION to approve Deputy Chief of Operations Marc Fongemie's report by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
- COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Gregorio stated that there was nothing to report in regards to the Public Safety meeting.Commissioner Gregorio did report on the Cost Savings Committee. He stated that he has not heard any discussions in regards to cost savings at these meetings. However, there was a lot of discussion about websites. Councilman Loffredo did say however that our website was by far the best. Commissioner Gregorio went on to say that a discussion was held about a combined maintenance shop and about ambulance service. Hunter's Ambulance holds the only license in this area and there is no way they are giving up the ambulance so there is no reason to go any further.
In addition, Councilman Loffredo has requested items including a list of our equipment, a copy of our Union contract, a copy of our last audit and a copy of our Code of Conduct. Commissioner Gregorio feels he is digging for more things than cost savings.
Commissioner Gregorio stated that every time a question was asked of one of the Chiefs, they would give their opinion and Councilman Loffredo would disregard it. Commissioner Gregorio felt it was rude on his part.
Commissioner Gregorio asked that Chief Badamo attend one more meeting and if the Chief is disregarded again he will request that the Chief not attend any additional meetings and decide whether the Commissioners want to continue to attend.
Chairman Gallitto asked Chief Badamo his opinion. Chief Badamo responded by saying he doesn't understand the overall goal of the meetings. Everything Councilman Loffredo has asked has either been investigated or is being discussed in another committee somewhere else.
Further discussion ensued.
Chief Badamo will attend one more meeting and it will be discussed at the next Commission meeting.
Commissioner Russo-Driska read aloud a letter to Commissioner Gregorio from Local 3918 President Stephen Tyrseck stating that James Mastroianni and Russ Jacobs will serve on the Pension Review Committee.
Commissioner Russo-Driska thanked Chief Badamo for hosting the Chinese Interns. She was their host at City Hall. Emergency Management is a big concern for them. They were very impressed with the City and South Fire District.
She went on to say how impressed she was with the Open House and she has received many positive comments from the public on the event.
Chairman Gallitto spoke about the ongoing insurance issue and investigation. He stated that after reviewing all of the received documentation from Sharon Maloney, Bob Ford from eBenefits and James Stirling from Stirling Benefits it has been determined by the Commission that there was no wrong doing on behalf of anyone on the Commission or under the employ of the South Fire District. Chairman Gallitto then formally apologized to Sharon Maloney and Chief Badamo on behalf of the entire Commission for any idea or thoughts that came in to question regarding their actions on the issue.
Commissioner Sarcia added that the whole intent of the situation was not to put anybody down or challenge anyone. The challenge was the actual plan itself not who was or wasn't selling it. He thought he had nailed that down at the meeting that he wasn't accusing anyone of any wrong doing there was just a lot of questions on the policy. He concluded by saying maybe something will work out better in the future.
Chairman Gallitto added by saying that the Union is included in this as well. There was never any intent on behalf of anyone on the Commission to suggest that the Union involvement caused any issue with what transpired.
Chairman Gallitto then stated he would like to formally put the insurance issue behind us, and he feels satisfied as the Chairman that they conducted a good investigation and came up with the right answers.
- OLD BUSINESS
None - NEW BUSINESS
It was decided that Chairman Gallitto, Commissioner Gregorio and Sharon Maloney will serve on the Investment Committee. - EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION to go into Executive Session at 7:59 p.m. by Comm. Russo-Driska/Comm. Gregorio for a personnel issue, pursuant to Statutes Section 1-200(6)(A) and Section 1-225(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended. Unanimously approved.In attendance at Executive Session were Commissioners Gallitto, Russo-Driska, Gregorio, Sarcia and Chief Badamo.
Executive Session was over at 8:52 p.m. .
- CALL BACK TO ORDER
Vice-Chairman Russo-Driska called the meeting back to order at 8:54 p.m. - ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Sarcia. Unanimously approved.Meeting was adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl H. Creem
Recording Secretary