Western Coventry Fire District

4661 Flat River Road

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

_____________________________________________________________________

10-16-08

WCFD

Board of Directors Meeting

Meeting called to order at 6:43 PM

Present:

Kent Novak                  Trea. Glenn Underwood           Chief Joel Pomfret    Richard Holt

Peter Beauchaine          Tax Collector Joan Smith         D/Chief Don Hall     F/FJohnMoore

Robert Guastini             Moderator Charles Smith         John Humble            F/F Steve Autiere

Motion made by Peter Beauchaine seconded by Bob Guastini to accept minutes as presented.

Discussion. Unanimous vote to accept as presented. 

Open Forum:  No Comment.

Chairman’s Comments: Kent Novak thanked the Board members for their understanding to the cancelled board meeting last week  in ref. to the contract signing.

Moderators Report: Chuck Smith

No Report.

Chief’s Report: Chief Joel Pomfret (report attached)

Kent Novak stated that the Chief’s report this month was in greater detail than in the past and this report covered from March to Sept. and this gave a real good insight as to the functions of the department.

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Update Capt. Mann (report attached)

Capt. Mann’s report states that balance of $5017.50 and how it is request it be spent. He will ask the federal government this. He has contacted Shipman’s and Coventry Safety to order additional equipment.

Capt. Mann recommends that from Cov. Safety;  for hard hat safety goggles and leather gloves for $327.50., another $4400.00 to Shipman’s for two more sets of turnout gear. This leaves a bal. of $290.00 that it be spent on an set of boots or a helmet

Motion made by Peter Beauchaine seconded by Bob Guastini to accept Capt.. Mann’s recommendation to spend the funds mentioned as stated. Discussion, Unanimous vote to accept, and proceed with purchases..

RTV/ATV Update:  Chief Pomfret

The Wild Land Grant is still pending.

RI EMA Update: Chief Pomfret

Radios are in service. And are on all the apparatus.  The department is looking at two months for reimbursement.

The Woodlands Grant Chief Pomfret

The state forestry has offered the department a matching grant for the skid unit for the ATV.  The appx cost is $5000.00 and a matching grant would be appx. $2800.00. The paper work has been done all we need is the boards approval.

Motion made by Bob Guastini, seconded by Peter Beauchaine the department participate in the 50/50 Woodlands Grant program. Discussion. Motion amended by Bob Guastini seconded by Peter Beauchaine that the money for this grant be taken from the rescue recovery fund. Discussion on the amendment  Unanimous vote to approve the amendment. And Unanimous vote to approve the amended main motion.

Motion made by Peter Beauchaine seconded b y Bob Guastini to accept the Chief’s report as presented. Discussion. Unanimous vote to accept.

Treasure’s Report Glenn Underwood (report attached)

Glenn stated that the budget was in good shape however we still had to be very watchful of expenditures. He went on to say that Blue Cross is asking for a rate increase and suggested to the Board they may want to look for another provider for the fulltime employees.

Rescue recovery started with $177,000.00 added 44,000.00 this shows an increase over $7000.00 from last year same time.

Capitol reserve beginning balance (Glenn speaking too softly to understand tape).

Motion made by Peter Beauchine seconded by Bob Guastini to accept the treasures report as presented, Discussion. Glenn stated that it would be a good to have a long range plan that shows the direction where the fire district is headed.

Glenn drafted a New Station Resolution to read:

Resolve, That the Western Coventry Fire District Treasurer, Glenn Underwood, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Western Coventry Fire District, Kent Novak, be empowered to enter into a loan and mortgage agreement, not exceeding one million seven hundred($1,700,000.00), with Centreville Bank to finance the construction of a new fire station. Additionally they are empowered to sign on behalf of the Western Coventry Fire District all necessary documents to complete the loan and mortgage agreement.

This resolution to be signed by all board members.

Motion made by Bob Guastini seconded by Peter Beauchaine to approve the resolution, Discussion. Unanimous vote to approve resolution.

Tax Collectors Joan Smith (report attached)

New tax bills were mailed about 3 weeks ago, for a total of $468,124.37, Taxes and interest collected last month were $19,378.52. there were $211.16 in abatements, with $1934.00 refund with an ending balance of $490,450.57.

Motion made by Peter Beauchaine seconded by Bob Guastini, to approve the tax collector’s report as read. Discussion. Unanimous vote to approve.

District Clerk’s Denis F. Fournier

No Report.

Building Comm. Report John Humble (report attached)

There were three building committee mtgs since the last board meeting. General discussion took place about the construction site, ins, people allowed on the site, property theft, and vandalism.

Chief Pomfret thanked those who attended the planning committee mtg for the town of Coventry, and thanked John Humble for a job well done representing the project to the planning committee.

Motion made by Bob Guastini seconded by Peter Beauchaine to approve the report as given.

Discussion. Unanimous vote to approve.

Kent Novak addressed the incident involving the removal of fieldstones from the construction site. He stated that he and John Humble spoke to the person who removed the stove, and after their investigation.

As for the site contractor, he does not want the stone, it has little value, and an honest misunderstanding by numerous parties led to the drafting of this resolution:

“The building committee made a mistake in not adequately conveying the intent of the district receiving compensation for the stone to the Bernard’s’ on Old Summit Rd. The building committee recommends that the district not pursue restitution for the missing stone from the Bernards’ and notifying the police drop the complaint.”

The building committee will insure that tighter controls are made so that incidences

like this do not occur again.

Motion made by Peter Beauchaine seconded by Bob Guastini to accept the resolution as proposed by the building committee. Discussion.

Bob Guastini suggested that anything that is taken off of the property has to be cleared through John Humble.

Unanimous vote to approve resolution.

Kent Novak signed the construction contract with Alhambra Const. Co. for the new station.

Motion made by Bob Guastini seconded by Peter Beauchaine to sign the contract, “and get it over with.” Discussion.  Unanimous vote to sign.

Contract signed for a new station with Alhambra Const., Co..

There is no SAP/SOP  report.

Public Safety Communication System Request;

Nothing was heard the town mgr.

ISO Update:

Kent contacted Skip Gibbson from ISO litigation headquarters. On 11-6-08 or 11-13-08 to have a speaker come to speak to the members of the department.

New Business:

Denis Fournier suggested a ground breaking for the new station; it was decided to wait till after the election on 11-4-08.

Motion made b y Peter Beauchaine seconded by Bob Guastini to adjourn. So Voted.

Denis F. Fournier

WCFD Clerk