Western Coventry Fire District

4661 Flat River Road

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

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January 22, 2009

WCFD Board of Directors

BOD Meeting Minutes

The BOD meeting was called to order at 6:38pm.

Present:

BOD – Jonathan Mitchell, Richard Holt, Robert Guastini, Peter Beauchaine, Kent Novak

Treasurer – Glenn Underwood, Tax Collector – Joan Smith, Moderator – Chuck Smith, Building Committee Chairperson - John Humble, WCFD Counsel William Harsch

Chief Joel Pomfret, Deputy Chief Donald Hall, Firefighter John Moore

Moment of silence was held for Denis Fournier.

Open Forum – No comments.

Chairman’s Comments

1.      Chairperson Novak mentioned the 4 upcoming 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Workshop.

2.      He thanked the department for their participation in Denis’s funeral services.

3.      DC Qualifications – Chairperson Novak verified the many qualifications that Deputy Chief Donald Hall has as a firefighter.  It was verified that he had completed Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I and also completed the 240 hour Air Force training, the “Fire Protection Specialist Course.” Tom McGovern, a Certification Specialist with the Connecticut Fire Academy said, “The Air Force training is top notch, best in the world.”  The allegations that DC Donald Hall lacked the credentials as a firefighter were found to be baseless and false.  The originator of the rumor remains nameless, faceless and misinformed.

Moderator’s Report – Chuck Smith recommended that Jean Pomfret be appointed as Interim Clerk. He mentioned her qualifications to fill the interim position.  Jean fulfills a similar role for the Town of Coventry.  Motion made by Bob Guastini, seconded by Richard Holt to appoint Jean Pomfret as the Interim Clerk until the

2009 Annual Meeting.  Unanimous vote to appoint.   The district will post a notice to fill the Clerk’s position at the upcoming Annual Meeting.

Annual Goodwill Visit – Attorney William Harsch commented on the healthy discussion that took place regarding the Interim Clerk appointment.  He recommended an updating of the By-Laws and to look at the district’s Operating Manuals which seem to be very extensive for the size operation we have.  John Humble suggested that a review of the Charter also take place.

Chief’s Report – Motion made by Bob Guastini, seconded by Jon Mitchell to approve the Chief’s Report as presented.  Unanimous vote to approve.  Chief Pomfret also distributed a copy of his previous 7 year plan.

Motion made by Richard Holt, seconded by Bob Guastini to approve a salary of $43,423.58 for CPT Robert Mann per WCFD SOG 1610 for January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.  Unanimous vote to approve.

COMSTAR – Motion made by Peter Beauchaine, seconded by Jon Mitchell to approve the 5% increase in the COMSTAR Medicare Fee Schedule. Unanimous vote to approve.

RTV Skid Mount – Motion made by Jon Mitchell, seconded by Bob Guastini to approve the purchase of the RTV Skid Mount with the price not to exceed $5000.00.  Unanimous vote to approve.

Draft 2009 – 2010 Budget -  Chief Pomfret will send the BOD a copy of the DRAFT Budget prior to our first Budget Meeting.  Budget meeting dates were set for February 5^th and 12^th starting at 6:30pm.

Treasurer’s Report – Glenn stated that the operational budget is in good shape on the expense side.  He recommended looking at “gear and equipment” for potential purchases before the close of the fiscal year.  Motion made by Peter Beauchaine, seconded by Jon Mitchell to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented.  Unanimous vote to approve. Glenn also stated that Centreville Bank has approved a mortgage for $1.64 million at a rate of 4.75% for the new station.

Tax Collector – Motion made by Richard Holt, seconded by Bob Guastini to approve the Tax Collector’s Report as presented.  Unanimous vote to approve.

District Clerk’s Report – Chairperson Novak reported that the district has 3 certified candidates for the 2 BOD positions that will be filled at the 2009 Annual Meeting.  The candidates are Robert Guastini, Richard Holt and Steven Autieri.

Building Committee Report – John Humble presented an extensive written report and commented on the PAP, well, status of the block construction, National Grid and site plan.  Motion made by Bob Guastini, seconded by Jon Mitchell to accept the report as presented.  Unanimous vote to approve.

A thank you note was received from Lynda Fournier thanking the Officers, Board of Directors and members of the Western Coventry Fire Department for the beautiful flower arrangement that was sent.

SAP/SOP – Jon Mitchell commented he is collecting and organizing the many policies that the district has in place.  Richard Holt recently attended an OMA/APRA seminar and volunteered to update the appropriate district policy.

Contract – Richard and Kent will be meeting Tuesday, January 27^th with the two fulltime employees.  Quotes from Tufts have been requested and quotes will be solicited from the PV Chamber of Commerce for the healthcare plans they offer.

Old Station/Cost Reduction – Bob Guastini mentioned a business the Elks use to pay bills, etc. and found that their rates to be 40% less.  Glenn is reviewing the various options.  Bob recommended that we should explore meeting with representatives of the Town of West Greenwich to see if there is an opportunity to possibly work together to reduce costs.  Attorney Harsch recommended that we consider hiring a broker to sell the Summit Station.

Filing Coordinator – Chairperson Novak is now the filing coordinator (OMA) for the WCFD.  Also Chief Pomfret and Chairperson Novak will make arrangements to retrieve and store the district records that were in the clerk’s possession.

Preplanning Concerns – Bob Guastini commented on preplanning  concerns in light of the recent Hopkinton nursing home incident Discussion ensued of the procedures that are in place to react to such incidents  Peter Beauchaine explained the various levels of emergency response that are available to incident commanders.

Chief Pomfret announced the “Burning of the Green” on Saturday, January 24^th.

Firefighter Jon Moore addressed the BOD with his concerns about the allegations made by a taxpayer at a recent BOD meeting.  The taxpayer stated that FF Moore owed the district money for training that he had received and not completed.  The allegations are false.  FF Moore does not owe the district any money and feels that he was defamed in a public forum by a taxpayer.  FF Moore requested that the BOD insure an event such as this not happen again and that he expects an apology from the taxpayer.

Chairperson Novak moved that pursuant to RI Gen Laws 42-46-5(a)(1) that this public body convene in executive session to discuss the job performance of an employee.  This individual has been notified in writing that this public body intends to convene in executive session in order to discuss his/her job performance and he/she has declined to have this discussion take place in open session.  Seconded by Richard Holt.  Unanimous vote to convene in executive session.

Attendees – Chairperson Kent Novak, Peter Beauchaine, Richard Holt, Jon Mitchell, Robert Guastini, Chief Joel Pomfret, Deputy Chief Don Hall, FF Moore and Moderator Chuck Smith.

The BOD Meeting reconvened in open session.  It was disclosed that no votes were taken in the closed/Executive Session.

Chairperson Novak moved pursuant to RI Gen Laws 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 that the minutes of the closed/Executive Session just held be closed and sealed.  Seconded by Richard Holt.  Unanimous vote to approve.

Motion made to adjourn by Peter Beauchaine and seconded by Jonathan Mitchell.  Unanimous vote to adjourn at 9:55pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kent C. Novak

Chairperson, BOD