Western Coventry Fire District

1110 Victory Highway

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

_____________________________________________________________________

March 24, 2010

OFFICIAL  NOTICE

ANNUAL MEETING

THE WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL MEETING ON:

                        DATE:    MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010

                        TIME:     7:00 P.M.

                        PLACE:  SUMMIT STATION

                                         1110 VICTORY HIGHWAY

                                         GREENE, RI  02827

THE MEETING WILL BE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS, APPROVING A PROPOSED BUDGET, AND CONDUCTING ALL OTHER DISTRICT BUSINESS THAT MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION PACKET IS AVAILABLE AT THE SUMMIT FIRE STATION LOCATED AT 1110 VICTORY HIGHWAY, GREENE, RI; THE SUMMIT GENERAL STORE;  LOCATED ON OLD SUMMIT RD., GREENE, RI, AND KOSZELA LUMBER YARD LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF RT. 102 AND RT 117, GREENE, RI AND AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY ON OUR WEBSITE LOCATED AT   http://www.wcfd.net. DOORS OPEN AT 6:00 PM.

ADVERTISED IN THE KENT COUNTY DAILY TIMES;  POSTED AT THE SUMMIT FIRE STATION, SUMMIT GENERAL STORE, KOSZELA LUMBER YARD AND DISTRICT WEBSITE.

Jean Pomfret

District Clerk

WCFD

WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT 

ANNUAL MEETING

 Monday, April 5, 2010 – 7:00 pm

Summit Station

1110 Victory Highway

Greene, RI

Agenda

Call to Order:                                                        Moderator, Conrad Burns

Pledge of Allegiance:                                          Boy Scout Troop 39

Invocation:                                                           Reverend Robert Auld, Summit Baptist Church

Call to Meeting:                                                   District Clerk, Jean Pomfret

Minutes of Previous Meeting:                           Stenographic Report on file with District Clerk

Treasurer’s Report:                                             District Treasurer, Glenn Underwood

Tax Collector’s Report:                                      District Tax Collector, Joan Smith

Board of Director’s Report:                               Chairman, Kent C. Novak

Chief’s Report:                                                    Chief Joel Pomfret

Recognition:                                                         Chief Joel Pomfret

Election of Officers:                                            Moderator, Conrad Burns

District Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector, and Moderator – (Each position is open and one qualified candidate has applied for each position. Thus, each person is unopposed. The Moderator may request the Clerk cast a single ballot for each candidate for District Office.)

Board of Directors – Two Board of Director positions are open and 5 (five) qualified candidates have applied for the 2 (two) positions. Both positions have a term of 3 (three) years.

Old Business:                                                        None

New Business:                                                      District Budget for Year 2010 - 2011 (3/1/10 – 2/28/11)

                                                                                Resolutions

Adjournment:

Notes:

1. To assist the Moderator in recognizing taxpayer voters, all non-taxpayer members of the audience will be requested to sit in the area designated for non-taxpayer guests.
2. Votes for the election of officers running unopposed may be made by the Clerk casting a single ballot.
3. At the Moderator’s option or by the majority vote of the taxpayers present, votes on motions and resolutions may be by written ballot or by standing vote.
4. All motions and resolutions will be presented in writing to the Moderator.
5. Board of Directors’ Candidates will each be afforded two minutes to address voters and five minutes per candidate to respond to questions from voters.

2009 – 2010

Board of Director’s Report

Western Coventry Fire District

The highlight of this past year was the move from the Old Summit Station at 4661 Flat River Road to the exceptional New Summit Station located at 1110 Victory Highway.  The station opened for operation on Sept. 26. It boasts 8,200 square feet of space on six acres and includes five bays, an expanded administrative area, a multiple purpose room, sleeping quarters, kitchen, dayroom, and a decontamination room. A Firefighter 1 course was held two nights per week at the facility in the fall as well as the fire department’s weekly training for volunteers. Hazardous Materials training was held on weekends in the winter months and currently a Firefighter II course is being held two nights per week along with practical exercises on the weekend. The station also serves as a meeting space to conduct fire district business. The construction of the new facility concludes a 10-year building process overseen by the Western Coventry Fire District Board of Directors and its Building Committee. This new station take us one step further in maintaining and improving our service to the community as well as keeping the volunteer spirit alive.

An Open House was conducted on Sunday, November 1, 2009 starting at 1:00 pm to officially open the New Summit Station. Over 200 people attended the ceremonial opening. A parade of fire and rescue apparatus consisting of WCFD apparatus and apparatus from fire departments in Western Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut traveled from Old Summit Station to New Summit Station to start the festivities. The family of Denis Fournier, our former District Clerk, firefighter, rescue member, and Building Committee member, who passed away on January 7, 2009, cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially marking the opening of the new station. Following the dedication ceremony, there were tours of the new, state-of-the-art facility, as well as fire prevention activities for children and fire prevention information for adults. Door prizes were raffled off and lunch was provided. Thank you to the Officers and members of the Department for planning and conducting this event.

District and Department Pride

            Another highlight of this past year was the implementation of the 6:00 pm to 6:00 am duty shift, on October 1, 2009, 7 days a week. This shift is staffed by 1 EMT-Cardiac and 1 EMT-Basic and provides an additional 84 hours of 2 person coverage per week where Department members can immediately respond to public safety needs. The Department continues to provide another 40 hours of coverage per week by our 2 fulltime members. Chief Pomfret is to be commended for successfully implementing the successful, cost effective duty shift increasing the District’s two person coverage from 40 hours per week to 124 hours per week. Thank you to the Officers and members of the Department for their dedication and commitment to providing our community with this enhanced service.

            The District/Department continues to increase the amount of information available to the public on our District website http://www.wcfd.net. Please visit our website and feel free to make suggestions on how we can improve our website. Thanks to CPT Kelly Guastini for continuing to maintain, update and improve our website.

            The Board of Directors is presenting a proposed operating budget of $547,421.00 for the fiscal year March 1, 2010 – February 28, 2011. This amount reflects a $26,588.00 or 5.1% increase (tax increases were approximately 3% and 2% for the past two fiscal years) over the 2009 – 2010 operational budget of $520,833.00. Most of this increase, $20,213.50, can be attributed to the following line item increases that are beyond our control: mortgage - $5270.00, full time firefighter - $7,229.50, insurance $3214.00, and building maintenance - $4,500.00. The BOD has held many budget meetings and examined in detail every dollar spent this past year and projections for anticipated costs in the upcoming fiscal year. The BOD strongly urges your favorable consideration and approval of the proposed budget.

            The Department recently was awarded a $49,000.00 AFG Grant for a Cascade Air System and the conduct of training activities. They are also in contention for up to a $50,000.00 grant award from RIDEM for participating in the Diesel Vehicle Replacement Program. The District has recently joined the Pawtuxet Valley Chamber of Commerce electricity purchase co-op program in an effort to save on the purchase of electricity. Additionally, we recently changed from Comstar to The Dawson Group to perform medical billing related services for us that should result in generating increased funding for our Rescue Recovery Account. The BOD has been diligent in our efforts to support the securing of grants and exploring other opportunities to decrease expenses and increase revenues.

            The Standard Administrative Procedures (SAP) Committee, chaired by BOD member Jon Mitchell, has been active in ascertaining the status of the District SAP’s that were approved in the past or found to be in draft status. It was found that all SAP’s were out of date and needed attention. At the September, 2009 BOD meeting, the BOD voted to sunset all SAP’s and use the outdated SAP’s as guides in the updating of the SAP’s that were in place. During the past 5 months the SAP Committee has successfully presented 15 SAP’s to the BOD and were approved by the BOD.

            The Building Committee as originally formed held its last meeting on September 30, 2009. Given that the Certificate of Occupancy (dated 9/24/09) was issued John Humble announced he was stepping down as Chairman of the Building Committee and as a Building Committee member. The BOD has since taken over the duties of the Building Committee and continues to address a myriad of issues that still needed to be completed. Computers, software, and other IT equipment have been purchased at discount prices and have been installed at no cost to the District. Two signs have been installed at the station entrance. Water quality issues have been solved by installing a water purification system. A shed has been purchased and the As Built Drawings digitized. Summit Electric has addressed emergency power issues as well as installing an LED light to illuminate the American flag. The purchase of a floor scrubber has decreased the amount of time it takes to keep the bay floors clean. Recently, a high tech audio system was added to the training room. The HVAC system has been adjusted and repaired by the contractor to ensure that the system is working properly. We plan on installing a concrete pad for a redreation area outside the dayroom, building a stone wall between the walkway to the front door and Bay 1 apron, installing a public notice display case near the front entrance, and putting the finishing touches on landscaping the grounds. The BOD anticipates finishing the construction and equipping the new station under budget in the next 3 – 4 months. The District now has a mortgage for approximately $1.52 million at 4.75% for 30 years. Original projections were for as much as a $1.8 million mortgage for 40 years at a higher interest rate.

            The BOD has recently taken action to replace the 32 year old Engine 9, our 1978 American Lafrance Pumper. This pumper failed its annual pump test in October, 2009 and after being repaired has failed to pump water on a number of occasions between October, 2009 and January, 2010. In addition to the pump no longer pumping water, Engine 9 failed the annual State Inspection due to a rotted exhaust system. The BOD and Chief Pomfret received a letter in December, 2009 from the Department Safety Officer deeming Engine 9 a safety concern. He stated, “I am expressing my absolute concern for the safety of not only our firefighters, but the citizens of our Fire District.” Chief Pomfret removed Engine 9 from service on January 28, 2010. The Department Truck Committee developed the specifications for a new Rescue Pumper and the District advertised an Invitation to Bid for the new Rescue Pumper in early February.

            The District is charged by Statute to provide for the safety of the residents of the District. It is the obligation of the duly elected and empowered Board of Directors to take measures required to assure that the District at all times, and under all circumstances, is fully and adequately prepared to respond to any call regarding fire or related perils. Failure to act on replacing Engine 9 in a timely manner had the potential to expose the District to substantial claims for personal injury, loss of life and/or damage to, or loss of property. The BOD awarded the purchase of the new Rescue Pumper to C & S Specialty, North Smithfield, RI for $348,208.00. Funds to purchase the pumper will come from our Rescue Recovery Fund to make the 3 annual lease purchase payments of $121,000.00.

            I would like to thank the Department leadership and members, the District Officers, the Board of Directors, J. William W. Harsch, Esq., and the Building and SAP Committee members for their efforts to move the District and Department forward. Thank you also for the support provided by their families.

            If you have any questions pertaining to the information presented in this Annual Packet, please email me at knovak311@yahoo.com or call Chief Joel Pomfret at 397-7520. Thank you in advance for your support of the resolutions that will be presented at the Annual Meeting, Monday, April 5, 2010.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Kent C. Novak

                                                                                                Chairman

Board of Directors:

Steven Autieri, Esq.

Peter Beauchaine

Richard Holt

Jonathan Mitchell

Kent Novak

CHIEF’S ANNUAL REPORT 2009 – 2010

SUCCESS – PROGRESS – SOLUTIONS

I have titled my Annual Chief’s Report using three words that best sum up our Fire Department.

SUCCESS:  The department was faced with a total of 379 emergency calls.  285 EMS calls with an average of 5.55 personnel responding and 94 Fire calls with an average of 5.69 personnel responding.  The average number of personnel responding to calls have dropped slightly from last year which I can attribute to the 6pm – 6am night shift.  This shift has allowed the department to run more efficiently.  I have 1 EMT-B and 1 EMT-C filling the night shift 7 nights per week.  This shift has been working extremely well and when not answering calls those on duty stay busy cleaning the station and maintaining apparatus. Our Rescue vehicle is getting out the door immediately when emergency calls come in.  It also allows the Rescue vehicle to be manned at the A.L.S. level.  This success is two fold; having A.L.S. coverage at every call allows the department the opportunity to provide a higher level of service and allows us to maximize the dollars that we are collecting through Rescue Recovery billing.

PROGRESS: Our department has recently reached a milestone.  Every one of our members is now certified in either E.M.S., fire fighting or both.  I have learned through my fire fighting career that education is the most important tool.  The department members have spent countless hours in formal training this past year.  The department sponsored Firefighter I and Firefighter II courses which were funded with grant money.  A 24 hour Haz-Mat Operations course was also taught in house.  The department E.M.T.s completed their 120 hour recertification in June.  A 52 hour pump operator/vehicle operations course will begin in April followed by a Fire Officer I class; both to be funded with grant money.  The department continues to train on Monday evenings and also trains with our mutual aid neighbors. 

SOLUTIONS: The fire service can be very challenging at times.  The ever changing regulations, codes and certifications seem to present themselves at any given time.  It is costly to maintain compliance.  The department was recently awarded a $49,000.00 grant through the AFG.  This grant will fund a Cascade System for the new station.  This Cascade System is a high pressure air compressor with a bank of air cylinders which will be used for filling the air bottles on the S.C.B.A.  This is a $40,000.00 purchase.  The remaining $9,000.00 will be used for formal trainings for the fire fighters.  This grant money eases the burden on our taxpayers.  A grant has been filed with D.E.M. for the former Engine 9 which is a 32 year old truck.  We could be the recipient of up to $50,000.00 which well exceeds the value of the vehicle.  This grant is offered by D.E.M.’s Clean Air Division and intended to remove pre-emission diesel engines from the road.  A D.E.M. wild land grant also provided 27 5gallon containers of foam to the department.  The department has been very successful in the past 3 years in securing grant money for the department.  This has been a good means of keeping budget increases down.

The Fire and E.M.S. apparatus continue to be serviced by Mack Truck, Coastal International and Diversified Truck Repair.  Some of the minor repairs are performed in house by our personnel.

I would like to close by thanking the members of the department for all of the time that they have dedicated to the department, the Board of Directors for their support and willingness to move the district forward and our Board Chairperson Kent Novak for all of the time he has given to the district and for completing the new station project.

WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT

Proposed Budget

March 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011

WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT

Revenue Projections

March 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011

ESTIMATED TAX RATE

2009 Actual Tax Rate                                                             $1.06/$1,000 Valuation

2010 Estimated Tax Rate assuming 2009 valuations and

 that the District collects the $27,000 State auto tax and

$1,750 of State Legislative grants                                          $1.12 /$1,000 Valuation

2010 Estimated Tax Rate assuming 2009 valuations and

that the District does not collect the $27,000 State auto

tax and the $1,750 of State Legislative grants                       $1.18 /$1,000 Valuation

WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT

2010 Proposed Resolutions

RESOLUTION 1:  That all actions taken by the Officers and Board of Directors of the Western Coventry Fire District during the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010 be ratified.

RESOLUTION 2:  That a Fire District Operating budget of $547,421.00 be adopted for the fiscal year March 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011.

WESTERN COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT

CANDIDATES FOR ELECTED OFFICE - (2010)

DISTRICT CLERK:                                   Unopposed      2 - Year Term

                                                            Jean M. Pomfret

                                                            6803 Flat River Road

                                                            Greene, RI  02827

TAX COLLECTOR:                       Unopposed      2 – Year Term

                                                            Joan Smith

                                                            203 Weaver Hill Road

                                                            Coventry, RI  02816

TREASURER:                                 Unopposed      2 – Year Term

Glenn Underwood

                                                            818 Hopkins Hollow Road

                                                            Greene, RI  02827

MODERATOR:                                Vacant

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS:    3 – Year Term             Two Positions

Steven Autieri, Esq.              Peter L. Beauchaine              John Humble

581 Victory Highway             126 Waterman Hill Road        6189 Flat River Road

Greene, RI  02827                  Greene, RI  02827                  Greene, RI  02827

Earl R. Mann                                    John Ricci

805 Maple Valley Road          111 Piggy Lane

Coventry, RI  02816               Coventry, RI  02816

During the Annual Meeting, the Moderator will permit each candidate to address voters regarding their credentials and their candidacy for a maximum of two minutes (if desired by the candidate) and five minutes per candidate to respond to questions from voters.