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South Fire District, Middletown, CT

Meeting Minutes

Monthly Meeting
June 14, 2010     7:00 PM
Present: Commissioners Gallitto, Gregorio, Sarcia and Darling; Chief Badamo, Deputy Chief Krol, Tax Collector Cindy Gotta, Fire Department members and members of the public.

Absent: Commissioner Russo-Driska, Deputy Chief Fongemie


  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 MAY 10, 2010
    MOTION to approve minutes of May 10, 2010 Regular Meeting by Comm. Gregorio /Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

    B. SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 18, 2010
    MOTION to approve minutes of May 18, 2010 Special Meeting by Comm. Darling /Comm. Gregorio. Unanimously approved.

  6. TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
    The Commission reviewed the Tax Collector's Report submitted by Tax Collector Cindy Gotta.

    Chief Badamo advised the Commission that this is the first budget that the district switched from the 98% collection rate to 99%. He went on to say that we are probably not going to reach the full projected collection. Discussion ensued.

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

    A. TAX REBATES
    MOTION to approve tax rebates in the amount of $336.91 by Comm. Gregorio/ Comm. Sarcia. Unanimously approved.

    Tax Collector Cindy Gotta advised the Commission of some delinquent accounts that Attorney Adam Cohen has recommended be put up for tax sale. These taxpayers have have either not upheld payment agreements or have not responded to any of his demands. There are 8 accounts that she would like to have Attorney Cohen proceed with tax sales.

    MOTION to allow Tax Collector Cindy Gotta to authorize Attorney Cohen to proceed with the tax sales by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Sarcia. Unanimously approved.

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

    Chairman Gallitto asked Chief Badamo if we will be coming in under budget for this year. Chief Badamo responded by saying there is only one line item that may potentially go over budget and it is not a big line item.

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

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

    Chief Badamo stated that the Kleen Energy reimbursement payment is going forward. There were some delays due to some personal issues at Kleen Energy which slowed down the process in addition to some accounting errors. He will be following up on the status of the payment tomorrow.

    Chief Badamo asked the Commission to consider a motion to accept a Mass Casualty Trailer through a no cost grant which would be kept at the firehouse. The trailer would benefit all of Middlesex County. The trailer would ensure that proper equipment and tools would be available for major incidents. It would be the first one given to a career fire department. The motion would authorize the Chief to sign the documents to get the trailer. Should the trailer be needed at an incident, the request would come from a Central Medical Emergency Dispatch Center (CMED).

    Chairman Gallitto asked Chief Badamo if having this trailer could create any overtime situations. Chief Badamo stated that at this point he doesn't know what kind of usage the trailer would get. As far as creating overtime, it could create it but it wouldn't be any different then us responding to Durham or Middlefield multiple times.

    MOTION to accept the Mass Casualty Trailer and give the Chief the authorization to sign the needed paperwork to accept it by Comm. Gregorio/Comm. Darling. Unanimously approved.

    Chief Badamo advised the Commission that Truck 34 just went in for major repairs at a cost of over $10,000. That is a sixth of the entire repair budget. As the truck continues to get older, repairs will become more prevalent. There is some money left in the line but there is a truck in for repairs now and one was in last week. If any line item is close to going over it's this one. In addition, there was an electrical fire in Truck 34 last week. A new radio had been installed and there was a grounding problem. The installer is going through their insurance company to pay for the repairs.

    Chief Badamo reminded the Commission that the Kleen Energy Fundraising Fight is being held on June 26th. Also, our awards ceremony this year will be held on July 16th. Most of the awards will be to honor the efforts at the Kleen Energy Disaster. The Firefighter of the Year will be honored as well.

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

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

    In addition to his report, Deputy Chief Krol referred to a recent health and safety audit that was done at the firehouse. Based on our annual accident investigations and surveys of the building everything is fine.

    Deputy Chief Krol stated that Farm Hill School has had some recent issues with their fire alarm panel. It will be replaced at the end of the school year.

    The overhead transmission power line blasting from the Scovill Rock substation on Freeman Road to Kleen Energy is completed.

    An educational smoke trailer demonstration was held at Bielefield School on May 26th.

    Chairman Gallitto requested that Deputy Chief Krol provide the Commission information on the total amount of inspections done since the full time Deputy Fire Marshal's position has completed a full fiscal year and the Fire Marshal's office is functioning at a greater capacity.

    Commissioner Darling suggested doing the year before as well as a comparison.

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

  10. DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS REPORT
    The Commission reviewed the report submitted by Deputy Chief Marc Fongemie. Deputy Chief Fongemie was not in attendance.

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

  11. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
    Commissioner Darling reported that no new items were discussed at the most recent Telecommunications meeting.

    Commissioner Gregorio reported that he has been in contact with Senator Joe Lieberman's office over the past couple of months regarding support for some grants. Commissioner Gregorio also stated that last month's Cost Savings Committee meeting was cancelled.

  12. OLD BUSINESS
    None.

  13. NEW BUSINESS
    None.

  14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    There was no Executive Session.

  15. CALL BACK TO ORDER
    The meeting remained in session.

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

Meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

Cheryl H. Creem

Recording Secretary

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