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South Fire District, Middletown, CT

Meeting Minutes

Monthly Meeting
April 12, 2010     7:00 PM
Present: Commissioners Gallitto, Gregorio, Sarcia and Darling; Deputy Chief Krol, Deputy Chief Fongemie, Fire Department members and members of the public.

Absent: Commissioner Russo-Driska, Chief Badamo


  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 MARCH 8, 2010
    MOTION to approve minutes of March 8, 2010 Regular Meeting by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

    B. BUDGET WORKSHOP OF MARCH 16, 2010
    MOTION to approve minutes of March 16, 2010 Budget Workshop by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

    C. BUDGET WORKSHOP OF MARCH 24, 2010
    MOTION to approve minutes of March 24, 2010 Budget Workshop by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

  6. 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. Sarcia. Unanimously approved.

    A. TAX REBATES
    MOTION to approve tax rebates in the amount of $302.28 by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

  7. MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS
    The Commission reviewed the reports submitted by Financial Advisor Sharon Maloney.

    Commissioner Darling commented that we are ¾ of the way through the year and we are at 76% of expenses. That is about as close as we can get to projecting expenses and income.

    Commissioner Gregorio stated that he likes the fact that Kleen Energy is now split from replacements and call backs. We can now see that the platoons with extra people is working.

    Chairman Gallitto asked Deputy Chief Krol if there has been anything yet on the Kleen Energy reimbursement. Deputy Chief Krol stated there has been nothing yet.

    Commissioner Gregorio added that the transfer of the defined benefits was made to TD Bank.

    MOTION to approve Monthly Financial Reports by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

  8. CHIEF'S REPORT
    Deputy Chief Krol reviewed the report submitted by Chief Badamo who was not in attendance and answered questions of the Commission members.

    Some of the items highlighted in the Chief's report were a small ceremony was held for two district residents that were deployed to Iraq. The Chief has changed our electrical supplier to Positive Energy. After Action meetings have been held in regards to the Kleen Energy explosion. We recently hosted the Middlesex County Chief's meeting. The fuel bid has been signed with Dime Oil Company. The union once again held a food drive for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry and it was very successful and Deputy Chief Krol and Chief Badamo attended the 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant workshop which was held at the New Haven Fire Academy.

    Discussion ensued in regards to available grants. Chairman Gallitto asked Deputy Chief Krol about grants that we have pending at this time. Deputy Chief Krol responded by saying that at the grant workshop they are way behind in announcing where everyone is going to be. According to a representative from FEMA we may know something this month.

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

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

    As a note to his report, Deputy Chief Krol spoke about the district's Safety Committee. The most recent meeting minutes were attached to his report. He stated that years ago there were some questions by one of the Commissioners as to the content of the Safety Committee meetings themselves and the content of our review of injuries. At that time, one of the state workers' compensation personnel came down and reviewed our minutes and the way that we review our injuries and were told that we were in the top 95% in accuracy for minutes, for detail for our building inspections and for how we review our injuries. Deputy Chief Krol went on to say that we always try to put corrective measures in to place. We have had other reviews as we have recently received a state workers' compensation award. We try to be proactive with our Safety Committee meetings and address and correct issues.

    Further discussion ensued.

    Deputy Chief Krol stated the Kleen Energy investigation is continuing. He recently attended a meeting with the Plaintiff's counsel and investigators in regards to evidence. No evidence is being held at the South Fire District.

    Chairman Gallitto asked Deputy Chief Krol what stage the investigation is in. Deputy Chief Krol responded by saying that Judge Holzberg has put an order out that no buildings are to be demolished until all of the Plaintiff's attorneys and investigators are satisfied. OSHA still has custody of the power block.

    Deputy Chief Krol spoke briefly about administrative staff training being done at the new Orthopedic Surgery Center on Saybrook Road.

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

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

    Training for the month of March included an in-house "Q" Endorsement class given by the CT Fire Academy in which new drivers are trained to drive fire apparatus. Deputy Chief Fongemie attended a Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Training course which teaches how to run various seminars and drills. Deputy Chief Fongemie and Lt. Moss attended the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute's National Fire Service Staff and Command course. This was a week-long conference which covered topics such as budget and finance, political issues, disciplinary action and grievance management. Training also included shifts being trained on a remote pump sampling unit that is used in conjunction with our "four-gas" meters.

    Deputy Chief Fongemie attended Middletown Fire Department's Radio Co-operative meetings. He also met with some students from Wesleyan University's Fire Safety Cost Commission. In addition, he held a Fire Safety Merit Badge program for the Boy Scouts of America.

    Chairman Gallitto advised Deputy Chief Fongemie and those present that there is a taxpayer who lives in the district who is a part of Homeland Security who is an acquaintance of the Chairman. He came to the firehouse the day of the Kleen Energy incident as he was requested to do so by his boss. This individual has mentioned an opportunity for doing some parallel training for various scenarios. Chairman Gallitto went on to say that there is federal funding available for this type of training. Deputy Chief Fongemie will contact him.

    Commissioner Gregorio thanked Deputy Chief Fongemie for meeting with the Wesleyan students who are doing research for the Cost Savings Committee. He doesn't necessarily agree with the way they are going about researching numbers but he is trying to keep an open mind. Deputy Chief Fongemie added that he didn't feel that some of the information they are looking for would be beneficial.

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

    Prior to Commissioner Reports Deputy Chief Krol advised the Commission that in May in conjunction with CT Safe Kids we will be holding a Cub Scout Merit Badge Car Safety Program at Jackson Chevrolet to teach Cub Scouts about vehicle safety.

    In addition, Deputy Chief Krol also met with the Wesleyan students in regards to the cost savings research. He said their biggest concern as far as the Fire Marshal's Office goes is the time spent with non-profits. He gave them a years worth of his Commission reports and advised them that we do not inspect state properties such as CVH and Riverview Children's Hospital but we do respond there.

  11. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
    Commissioner Gregorio commented again on the Cost Savings Committee saying that the one beneficial discussion they have had has been regarding the alarms division. It still amazes him the amount of time that is wasted on discussions such as websites and opening up a maintenance garage.

    Chairman Gallitto commented that the Cost Savings Committee was put together for the benefit of the Central district. We are open for cost savings but he doesn't see anything that they can offer us. It's the other way around. They are trying to learn from us.

    Discussion ensued regarding fire protection at colleges and about Pilot Funds.

    Commissioner Gregorio brought up the issue that we are losing out on over $400,000 in Pilot funds. If people want to help out in the district they need to go to their Legislators and talk to them and address the issue. One entity gets the funds and it's the city that gets it. We are left out as Westfield is being we are special taxing districts.

    Deputy Chief Krol added that in July the Fire Marshal will be able to issue summons with a fine for fire code violations. However, the codes are municipal codes and the money goes to the city and the state and we would have to work out an arrangement to get our money back.

    Commissioner Gregorio thanked the Firefighters for their efforts in the recent food drive. He really appreciates all of the extra things that the Firefighters do.

    Commissioner Darling reported on the Telecommunications meeting. Items of interest were the reverse 911 system can now be used citywide and localized for most neighborhoods. They are now in the process of preparing for a back-up call center to be located in the Police station. A $400,000 bond has been passed for the new CAD system. The bids are in for the new system.

    Chairman Gallitto asked Deputy Chief Krol about when the districts were parceled out and if there have ever been modifications made to the district lines. Deputy Chief Krol responded by saying that prior to the South Fire District's Charter being formed, the city of Middletown covered this end of town. Since the charter went into effect with the dividing lines there have never been any changes made in regards to redistricting.

    Further discussion ensued in regards to district lines.

    Chairman Gallitto added that in regards to cost savings, a look at some redistricting may be a way of saving money due to shorter runs.

  12. OLD BUSINESS
    None

  13. NEW BUSINESS
    None

  14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    MOTION to go into Executive Session at 7:59 p.m. by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Darling for a personnel issue regarding salary modifications with regards to COLA pursuant to to Statutes Section 1-200(6)(A) and Section 1-225(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended. Unanimously approved.

    In attendance in Executive Session were Commissioners Gallitto, Gregorio, Sarcia and Darling; Deputy Chief Krol and Deputy Chief Fongemie.

    Executive Session was over at 8:35 p.m.

  15. CALL BACK TO ORDER
    Chairman Gallitto called the meeting back to order at 8:37 p.m.

    MOTION that changes are made in salary as posted from last month. For Steve Krol cost of living changes from 1.5% to 3% and Marc Fongemie to be changed from 2.5% to 3% by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

  16. ADJOURNMENT
    MOTION to adjourn by Comm. Darling /Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

Cheryl H. Creem
Recording Secretary

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