Western Coventry Fire District

4661 Flat River Road

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

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REVISED

June 18, 2009

WCFD Board of Directors Meeting

Present:

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

Excused: None.

Also present:

Deputy Chief Donald Hall, Tax Collector Joan Smith, Moderator Chuck Smith, Building Committee Chairperson John Humble, Treasurer Glen Underwood, Taxpayers Art Lavoie  and Skip Mays.

Meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by Chairperson Kent Novak.

Approval of May 21, 2009 BOD Meeting Minutes:

Mr. Holt would like the words “He and” removed from before “Chairman Novak met with Bill Harsch” from the last paragraph on page 2 and have “An ad will be placed in several local newspapers” added to the end of the paragraph titled “Station Sale Procedure” on page 3.  Chairman Novak corrected the figure of “$7,003” in the paragraphed titled “Well Closing” on the same page; the correct figure is $7,300.  Mr. Mitchell motioned to accept the minutes as amended, Mr. Guastini seconded, motion carried unanimously.

Moderator’s Report:

Nothing to report.

Chief’s Report:

Report copies handed out (WCFD Activity Report, 5/7/09 Final Salaries and WCFD Data Breakouts, Stats Run from 3/1/09-2/28/10).  The Chief is absent because he is attending EMT-C Class.  Engine 9, the American Lafrance, was used for training; it worked well.  An independent person performed testing on its pump; it tested ok twice and then the 3^rd nozzle failed.  A vacuum line was broken, it is fixable but luckily this did not happen during a working fire.  The Chief’s car went out for repair; catalytic converter and a couple of other minor things needed fixing.  It also has a lot of body rot.

Treasurer’s Report:

Report copies handed out (Treasurer’s Report, General Ledger and Statement of Net Assets and Governmental Funds Balance Sheet.  Mr. Underwood reported that we are a ¼ of the way through the fiscal year and so far we are in good shape except for the area of compensation because Health Insurance and the Accident and Sickness Policy have been paid in full.  Revenue is down a little from last year but the runs are also down.

Mr. Underwood handed out the Auditors report from Dittmar McNeil & Ferolito CPA.  Mr. Guastini motioned to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, seconded, motion carried unanimously.

Tax Collector’s Report:

Report copies handed out (email).  Ms. Smith said she has received a lot of payments from the tax sale letters.  Mr. Beauchaine motioned to accept the report as presented, Mr. Mitchell seconded, motioned carried unanimously.

District Clerk’s Report:

Nothing to report.

Building Committee Report:

Report copies handed out (New Fire Station Building Committee Report).  Mr. Humble reports that the project is in its final phases.  Mr. Guastini motioned to accept the Building Committee Report as presented, Mr. Mitchell seconded, motion carried unanimously. 

OLD BUISNESS:

            SAP/SOP Committee Update:

            Mr. Mitchell would like to choose a meeting date, meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 2009 pending availability of all members.

            Sap 5211 (APRA) Review/Approval:

            Old Station Committee Update:

            Mr. Guastini has nothing to report.

            Cost Reduction/Avoidance Committee Update:

            Mr. Guastini has nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS:

            Station Sale Update:

            An ad appeared in the Coventry Reminder on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 for the sale of Station 2.  It will also appear in the SRI news group which consists of the Coventry Courier, East Greenwich Pendulum, Chariho times, Narragansett Times and the Kent County Daily Times.  The price for a 6” x 3 ½” ad in all 6 papers is $98.  Next week and ad ½ that size will appear in 5 papers for $89 and in the KCDT for $39.  So far Chairman Novak has received 2 calls; he encouraged the callers so send an offer letter along with potential lease details.  Mr. Smith asked if Mr. Beauchaine had spoken to a particular taxpayer; he replied that he had not yet but he would before the weekend.  Mr. Mays asked Chairman Novak if he had heard from Steve Marsocchi; he had not yet. Mr. Lavoie wondered if there will be any stipulations concerning use of the building attached to the sale.  Chairman Novak said the Board will certainly be sensitive to the use.

            Well Closing:

            Chairman Novak handed out a copy of a letter from D.E.M dated June 10, 2009.  There is a procedure to follow, the Board has already engaged ATC Lincoln for the well closing.

            Accident Insurance Update:

            The policy was enhanced as of May 29, 2009.

            Grant Opportunities/Window:

            This was detailed in the Chief’s report.

            New Station Open House:

            The Clerk told the Board that Weidell’s Pizza has offered a gift certificate for the open house.  Mr. Smith suggests waiting until September for the open house; this will be after vacations.  Chairman Novak agrees saying that we should be in the station at least 1 month before having an open house.

Open Forum/ Chairman’s Comments:

Chairman Novak would like to congratulate member Nathan Pomfret who graduated from high school.

Mr. Smith is interested in buying the 2-100 gallon propane tanks for $200; he will haul them away.

Mr. Guastini asked if the station could use a large steel rack; Deputy Chief Hall will look at it.

Adjournment:

Mr. Beauchaine motioned to adjourn, Mr. Mitchell seconded.  Mr. Underwood asked whether an invitation to bid for the propane tanks should be posted.  It will be done; deadline will be for the July 16, 2009 meeting.  Motion to adjourn carried unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.