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 7:00 p.m.
   No one wished to speak.

4. CLOSE PUBLIC SESSION
   Chairman Gallitto closed public session at 7:00 p.m.

5. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
   A. REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 12, 2010
   MOTION to approve minutes of April 12, 2010 Regular Meeting by Comm. Darling /Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Russo-Driska abstained.

   B. BUDGET MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2010
   MOTION to approve minutes of April 27, 2010 Budget Meeting 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. Darling.
   Unanimously approved.

   A. TAX REBATES
   Commissioner Gregorio reported that there were no tax rebates for the month of April.

   MOTION per State Statute 12-129 to purge accounts at the request of the Tax Collector
   Grand List years 1997-2005 and also approve the yearly suspense tax collections of $6148.60 by Comm. Russo-Driska/Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved.

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

   Commissioner Gregorio commented that replacements and callbacks are looking good.

   Commissioner Russo-Driska commented that she recently spoke to Sharon Maloney and she will use approximately 1/2 of the $5000 budgeted for Actuarial services so she can use the software. This will allow her to do some of the actuarial work in regards to replacements and callbacks thus saving the district money. In addition, Ms. Maloney will complete this work by June 30th.

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

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

   Chief Badamo commented that there was a $254.00 decrease in the electric bill this month. He recently switched to Positive Energy.

   Chief Badamo recently met with the Auditor from O & G regarding our claim for reimbursement that was submitted for the Kleen Energy incident. He said some adjustments have been made. What is expected to happen is O & G will pay us, then they will be reimbursed. Right now everything looks good for us getting reimbursed.

   Commissioner Darling asked Chief Badamo if the original $105,000 figure has changed. Chief Badamo responded by saying that it did change a little due to modifications in regards to fill ins.

   Chief Badamo went on to say that he has begun the Assistance to Firefighters Grant process. Even though we are not due for replacement now, he is applying for funding for a new ladder truck. He is also applying for assistance for some rescue and technical rescue training.

   Commissioner Gregorio added that he has been in contact with Senator Joe Lieberman's office. They could not help with Kleen Energy but he has a contact there that will try to assist us with grants.

   MOTION to approve Chief Edward Badamo's Report by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska. 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 commented on the new Walgreen's Pharmacy on East Main Street. There were a few issues with the sprinkler system hydrostatic test and the testing had to be re-done.

   Clean up, demolition and reconstruction is progressing at the Kleen Energy plant.

   Deputy Chief Krol commented on recent arson brush fires on River Road between Aircraft Road and Freeman Road. He is working with the Detective Bureau to add a presence to the area. There has been no activity in the past month.

   The city's 3 Fire Marshals along with the Police Department are going to every school in the city and are conducting gas leak emergency drills. Administrators are given a policy to follow should this type of emergency occur.

   Deputy Chief Krol also spoke about a meeting with representatives from CL&P and Vets Explosives in regards to upcoming overhead splicing. During the meeting discussion was held in regards to the notification process. The blasts will take place from the Freeman Road substation, across River Road and up to Kleen Energy. It should start mid-May and last for about 2 weeks.

   Deputy Chief Krol commented briefly on a recent meeting with a representative from DEP in regards to wood burning furnace issues in the district.

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

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

    Deputy Chief Fongemie advised the Commission that Lt. Gamache has been instructing each shift on line-tending skills which is very important in dive rescue training.

    In addition to his report Deputy Chief Fongemie advised the Commission that the first weekend in June we will be hosting a Life Guard Systems Rapid Deployment Search and Rescue/Recovery class. He encouraged any member of the Commission to attend in order to see what our divers go through during training.

    Confined Space Rescue training is almost complete. Training for the month of April also included "Making Your Own Standpipe" which is an alternative technique used when a fire truck can't get close enough to a fire scene.

    Deputy Chief Fongemie attended Career Day at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and a Tabletop Exercise with the Board of Education.

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

11. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
    Commissioner Darling reported on the Telecommunications meeting. The dispatch center was at full staff, overtime was down for a while but the most recent technician has resigned.

    Commissioner Darling also reported that one of the towers that controls the telecommunications system which is located on the Aetna building will no longer be available when Aetna moves. They are presently searching for another place to put it. Until that's done the tower in Cromwell will suffice.

    Commissioner Darling went on to say that $400,000 has been approved for a new CAD System and bids are now being taken.

    Commissioner Gregorio did not attend the Cost Committee Meeting due to our Budget vote. Students from Wesleyan are putting together a report and will provide it to Public Safety and the Cost Savings Committee. He stated that there is some concern about how they came up with our numbers. Chief Badamo added that they received our numbers from the Assessor's office. However it was listed that 1% of our emergencies are at Middlesex Hospital. When he investigated it it was found to be in reference to some buildings on Saybrook Road that are Middlesex Hospital properties.

    Commissioner Russo-Driska asked what this report was supposed to reveal. Chief Badamo responded by saying lack of Pilot funds.

    Commissioner Russo-Driska stated that the proposed increase for the Central Fire District is a 6/10 of a mil increase and the proposed increase for the city is approximately 1.8 mils.

    Commissioner Gregorio mentioned a letter received from a Taxpayer in reference to the passing of our budget. The Taxpayer is concerned that the Taxpayers aren't getting proper information and more education is needed. While pleased that the budget passed, the Taxpayer felt that other Taxpayers may not entirely understand the budget.

    Discussion ensued in regards to ideas to notify the public relative to budget information either via mailings or possibly inserts with tax bills and what cost would be associated with it

    Commissioner Gregorio commented on the recent breakfast given by the Commission. He stated he had a great time but wished there had been a bigger turnout. He would like to do it again possibly in the Fall.

    Commissioner Gregorio thanked the Union for all of their work on the budget and getting it passed.

    Commissioner Gregorio asked for clarification on a fund-raising fight he has heard about. Chief Badamo stated that 3 of our Firefighters will take part in an upcoming fundraiser fight for the Kleen Energy families.

12. OLD BUSINESS
    None.

13. NEW BUSINESS
    None.

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    MOTION to go into Executive Session at 7:38 p.m. by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Russo-Driska 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 in Executive Session were Commissioners Gallitto, Russo-Driska, Gregorio, Sarcia and Darling. Executive Session was over at 8:55 p.m.

15. CALL BACK TO ORDER
    Chairman Gallitto called the meeting back to order at 8:57 p.m.

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

Cheryl H. Creem
Recording Secretary