Meeting Minutes

1. CALL TO ORDER
   Chairman Gallitto called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3. OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
   Chairman Gallitto opened public session at 7:01 p.m. No one wished to speak.

4. CLOSE PUBLIC SESSION
   Chairman Gallitto closed public session at 7:01 p.m.

5. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
   A. REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2009
   MOTION to approve minutes of November 9, 2009 Regular Meeting by Comm. Roberts /Comm. Gregorio. Approved. Commissioners Russo-Driska and Gregorio abstained.

6. TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
   The Commission reviewed the Tax Collector's Report submitted by Tax Collector Cindy Gotta. Chief Badamo answered questions of the Commission members.

   Chairman Gallitto noted that a detailed list of refunds is now attached to the Tax Collector's report.

   MOTION to approve Tax Collector's Report by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Roberts. Unanimously approved.

   A. TAX REBATES
   MOTION to approve tax rebates in the amount of $260.41 by Comm. Gregorio/ Comm. Roberts. Unanimously approved.

7. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS
   The Commission reviewed the reports submitted by Financial Advisor Sharon Maloney. Chief Badamo answered questions of the Commission members.

   Discussion ensued regarding the cost of operating the district's website and the district's internet provider. The district recently switched to Comcast for internet service. Chief Badamo stated that we will be receiving a quote from Comcast for the next fiscal year for telephone service. Chairman Gallitto added that at his business they saw a huge savings when they changed over their phone service as well.

   Commissioner Roberts brought forth a concern regarding how Workman's Comp. and overtime for November were reported between the Chief's report and the Financial reports. Chief Badamo responded by saying based on the fact that the shifts are now staffed with one extra person, the person out on Workman's Comp. levels the shift out. When an additional person is out on vacation, personal time or sick time, the outage is current and the Chief shows the replacement due to the vacation, personal or sick time, not due to Workman's Comp.

   MOTION to approve Monthly Financial Reports by Comm. Russo-Driska/Comm. Roberts. Unanimously approved.

8. CHIEF'S REPORT
   Chief Badamo reviewed his report and answered questions of the Commission members.

   Items included in the Chief's report were an update on the Buckeye Pipeline. It is down to site work only. All road work is completed.

   The ongoing email issue has been resolved.

   Work is continuing with Middletown and Westfield Fire to consolidate our radio operations.

   Car 37 (new pickup truck) was delivered ahead of schedule. The vehicle itself and everything which needs to be added to it is coming in under budget by approximately $6,000-$7,000. That money will be used to offset future purchases of staff vehicles in future budgets.

   The Stuff A Fire truck event collected over 20,000 food items, 160 turkeys and $1700 in Cash and gift cards. All items were donated to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

   We have revived the Adopt-A-Family event. The gifts will be delivered on December 19th.

   Recruit Firefighter Rucker will graduate from the CT Fire Academy on December 18th.

   Chief Badamo advised the Commission that he had applied for a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. He was recently advised that we have been approved and are on a waiting list for a time to go and pick it up. The Firefighters have agreed to build a case to display it.

   Chief Badamo stated that the State may once again be taking away training money which affects recruits at the fire academy. Our newest recruit was paid for early so we are not affected at this time. Chief Badamo encouraged the Commission to contact our State Representatives again as a reminder of how these cuts affect districts like us.

   In response to a question from last month's meeting in regards to the auditor coming and presenting the audit in public, Chief Badamo advised the Commission that it would cost the district a minimum of $450 depending on the amount of time that he spends here. Chairman Gallitto clarified with Chief Badamo that the budget includes enough money to cover his services, no extra. The issue will be taken up under old business.

   MOTION to approve Chief Edward Badamo's Report by Comm. Gregorio/ Comm. Roberts. Unanimously approved.

9. DEPUTY CHIEF/FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
   Deputy Chief Krol reviewed his report and answered questions of the Commission members.

   Deputy Chief Krol announced that a 4th grader from Farm Hill School has won first place in the Fire Prevention poster contest.

   Deputy Chief Krol answered questions regarding a proposed private hydrant ordinance as well as an issue in which ink was found in an excavated site during Buckeye Pipeline construction.

   MOTION to approve Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Steven Krol's report by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Roberts. Unanimously approved.

10. DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS REPORT
    Deputy Chief Fongemie reviewed his report and answered questions of the Commission members.

    Included in Deputy Chief Fongemie's report was a Confined Space Technician Course completed by Deputy Chief Fongemie. Four of our EMT's completed a three-day EMT Refresher Course and we hosted a "Train-the-Trainer" delivered by Buckeye Pipelines on responding to pipeline emergencies.

    MOTION to approve Deputy Chief of Operations Marc Fongemie's report by Comm. Russo-Driska/Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved.

11. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
    Commissioner Gregorio extended his thanks to the Firefighters and the Union for everything they do saying that it makes him very proud.

    Commissioner Gregorio said there was not much to report from The Public Safety meeting. Most issues concerned downtown. He stated that in regards to the Fire Service Cost Committee they touched base on the alarms system and there was a brief discussion on truck repairs. He said the meetings drag on and they go off on tangents about things such as websites. He said there are no real cost savings discussions. It is his opinion that Chief Badamo does not need to attend these meetings, however Commissioner Gregorio will continue to attend.

    Commissioner Russo-Driska commented that the Stuff-A-Fire truck event was an incredible success and the guys did a phenomenal job.

    Commissioner Roberts said alluding to the piece we are to receive from the World Trade Center, he recently took a trip to visit the USS New York. He said it was a very emotional day and was quite impressed that over 60% of those in attendance were in Firefighter or Military uniforms. He said it was very encouraging and uplifting as an American to see this under the same spirit.

    In addition, Commissioner Roberts presented the Commission and Chief Badamo with a photo of one of the original Russell Company Volunteer Fire trucks from approximately 1920.

12. OLD BUSINESS
    A. AUDITOR DISCUSSION
    Chairman Gallitto brought up the discussion of possibly having the district's auditor make a public presentation. It was recently determined there is an extra cost to do this above and beyond what was budgeted for his regular service. The minimum cost for the auditor to show is $450.00

    Further discussion ensued.

    Chairman Gallitto pointed out that last year the district's Financial Advisor Sharon Maloney presented the report to the Commission which became public. The only reason they are looking at it differently this year is because a request came up in public session.

    Commissioner Russo-Driska added that the audit report is public and Sharon certainly has the expertise to present it.

    Chairman Gallitto went on to say that last year, without issue, Sharon presented the report and answered questions.

    Commissioner Roberts said his concern is that any additional questions must get to the auditor through Sharon.

    Commissioner Gregorio said he is confident he can get his questions answered through Sharon or she can direct questions to the auditor.

    Commissioner Roberts added that it's important that we constantly keep looking for another CPA and barter some better business.

    MOTION that we delegate to the Chief and/or Sharon Maloney to get bids for a new CPA by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.

    Commissioner Russo-Driska stated she will put together a list of agencies that do municipal and fire audits to assist in the process.

    It was decided that the auditor will not be brought to a public meeting.

13. NEW BUSINESS
    MOTION to authorize Chief Badamo and David Gallitto to email our local State Representatives to address financial issues and training budget cuts by Comm. Roberts/ Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved.

    Commissioner Russo-Driska confirmed the Annual Meeting and Commissioner election will be held February 1, 2010. Nomination letters are due by January 8th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. Commissioner Roberts is up for re-election.

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    There was no Executive Session.

15. CALL BACK TO ORDER

16. ADJOURNMENT
    MOTION to adjourn by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. Unanimously approved.
    

Meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Cheryl H. Creem
Recording Secretary