Western Coventry Fire District

4661 Flat River Road

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

_____________________________________________________________________

REVISED

July 16, 2009

WCFD Board of Directors Meeting

Present:

Richard Holt, Kent Novak, Peter Beauchaine

Excused: Jonathan Mitchell and Robert Guastini

Also present:

Chief Joel Pomfret, District Clerk Jean Pomfret, Tax Collector Joan Smith, Moderator Chuck Smith, Building Committee Chairperson John Humble, Treasurer Glen Underwood, Firefighters Jon Moore and Kathy Hartley, Taxpayers Attorney Steve Autieri Sr., Art and Kathy Lavoie, Marion Sykes and Skip Mays.

Meeting was called to order at 6:38 pm by Chairperson Kent Novak.

Approval of April & June 2009 BOD Meeting Minutes:

“REVISED” to be removed from the June minutes.  Mr. Beauchaine motioned to accept the June minutes as amended, Mr. Holt seconded, motion carried unanimously.  Mr. Holt motioned to accept the April minutes, Mr. Beauchaine seconded, motion carried unanimously. 

Open Forum:

None.

Chairman’s Comments:

“A Brief History and Record of Events of the Western Coventry Fire District,  1942 – 1962”:

Chairman Novak recognized Dave Underwood for the 20 year history that he prepared in 1962.  It is now available on our website.

Nate Pomfret passed his EMT State test on his first shot.

Chief Pomfret and Steven Mann finished and passed their EMT C Class.  They will take the State test on July 15^th.

Moderator’s Report:

    Nothing to report.

Chief’s Report:

Report copies handed out (WCFD Activity Report, 6/1/2009 Salaries and WCFD data Breakouts, Stats Runs from 3/01/09 – 2/28/10).  Mr. Beauchaine motioned to accept the Chief’s reports as presented, Mr. Holt seconded, Discussion:  taxpayer Mays questioned the Chief about his statement of “not currently accepting applications without certification”.  Taxpayer Mays’ observation as a taxpayer is that this is a narrow and short sighted approach.  He asked the Board to rescind this; he thinks it is short sighted and detrimental to the new station.  Chief Pomfret said the budget has forced him to do this.  There is no money for training or gear; the budget came up short in these areas again this year.  Chairman Novak informed the Board that membership requirements are being looked at; sister members are being added.  Maybe there should be membership probations; in the past there have been members without certification who just hung around for a long time.  Taxpayer Art Lavoie asked where the line was between “just volunteers” vs. “paid people”.  Chief Pomfret explained that NFPA requires certification; without certification members can’t do anything.  He is trying to discourage the “clubhouse mentality”.  Mr. Humble asked if the chief was suggesting that anyone in the station must be certified.  Chief Pomfret answered yes, at some point.  Mr. Humble said there must be some sort of compromise; he hopes the new station doesn’t create all paid people.  Chairman Novak said that was not the plan.  Treasurer Underwood said “we said we would dip into Rescue Recovery for training dollars”; he also said we have to be careful about discrimination.  Chairman Novak said a discussion on membership would be added to next month’s agenda.  Chief Pomfret said he has spoken to the district’s lawyer and what he is doing is legitimate.  Taxpayer Mays asked the BOD to either put this on hold or change the wording in the Chief’s report.  Chief Pomfret agreed to remove sentence #4 from the “Personnel” portion of his report.  Taxpayer Autieri asked what the normal time was to get an EMT Basic Certificate.  Chief Pomfret answered 120 hours.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Treasurer’s Report:

Report copies handed out (Treasurer’s Report June 30, 2009, General Ledger from 6/1/09-6/30/09 and General Ledger from 3/1/09-6/30/09).  Chairman Novak questioned the new station funding on the budget of $5,843.80.  Treasurer Underwood said that it was just interest and the whole $90,000 would probably not be spent.  He also explained that the construction loan was just extended for 2 more months.  Mr. Holt motioned to accept the Treasurer’s reports as presented, Mr. Beauchaine seconded, motion carried unanimously.  Chairman Novak asked if anyone had any questions for the Treasurer about the audit; there were none.

Tax Collector’s Report:

Report copies handed out (email).  Tax Collector Smith said we are about $20,000 short from last year’s collections and that 52 properties were turned over to the Attorney for tax sale.  Dan Donovan of 300 Hammet Road sent in a check for his 2007 taxes along with a note saying that his attorney told him the Fire District should give him a credit because of the cistern on his land.  He is also asking for proof of insurance and a credit for the penalty of $203.07; he claims he never received a tax bill.  Chairman Novak explained that the cistern was required before the Certificate of Occupancy was issued.  Taxpayer Mays said it might be useful for the Board to consider giving abatements for people who install dry hydrants or cisterns at their expense.

District Clerk’s Report:

District Clerk Pomfret told Chairman Novak that she received his email and the Building Committee Meetings will be posted by the end of the weekend.  Chairman Novak said that there will still be a meeting each Wednesday and the hope is to have the last meeting in the new station.

Building Committee Report:

Report copies handed out (New Fire Station Building Committee Report).  Chairman Novak thanked everyone for all the work taking place on the new station.  Mr. Holt motioned to accept the Building Committee Report as presented, Mr. Beauchaine seconded, motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUISNESS:

            SAP/SOP Committee Update & Committee Membership Appointments:

            Chairman Novak explained that a meeting was held last Thursday; the committee picked 5 SAP’s to do initial work on.  The hope is to get draft copies out to the BOD 1 week before the meeting.  Cistern issue: there are 2 draft copies but it is not known if they were ever approved.  Chairman Novak explained that per Committee Chairman Jon Mitchell’s recommendation the following people have been choosen for the SAP Committee: Mr. Holt, Mr. Guastini, Chief Pomfret and Taxpayer Autieri.  Mr. Beauchaine motioned to accept these people as committee members.  Mr. Holt said there was another taxpayer who asked several times to be on the committee but another taxpayer was recommended.  Chairman Novak said he would have to talk to Mr. Mitchell about that; he couldn’t speak for him.  Mr. Humble asked if the taxpayer who made the request had rescinded his offer.  Taxpayer Mays asked if the motion had been seconded.  Chairman Novak said he would second it.  Taxpayer Mays said he was the taxpayer and he takes umbrage that he has not been accepted.  He believes the Chairman is trying to “stack” the committee for his or someone else’s agenda.  Chairman Novak said that he disagrees with the “stacking the committee” remark; 3 of the members are Board members who will vote on the decision.  Taxpayer Lavoie asked why taxpayer Mays can’t be a member; he would like to see the Board table this until the Chairman can speak about it.  Chairman Novak said they didn’t want to wait any longer.  Taxpayer Lavoie asked “what is 1 more month?”  Chief Pomfret said the Chairman has spent many hours on this; he wants to move forward.  Firefighter Moore asked taxpayer Mays why he felt the Board was being stacked.  Taxpayer Mays didn’t want to respond.  He thinks a SAP should probably address this; he said usually the BOD picks members not the Chairman.  Chairman Novak said the Board has final say.  Chief Pomfret said that on the 2 boards he was on he was appointed by the Chairman; he agrees that a SAP needs to be developed.  Taxpayer Sykes asked “couldn’t the BOD appoint a member?”  Chairman Novak said it could but he felt he should respect Mr. Mitchell’s recommendation.  Mr. Holt agreed to accept it for now and would like it discussed at the next SAP meeting so he can hear the Chairman’s reasoning.  Mr. Holt seconded, motion carried unanimously.

            Station Sale Update:

            Chairman Novak said that last week the second round of ads appeared in the papers.  There have been quite a few phone calls (8-9 people); he told them all to put something in writing and asked if they would consider leasing the building; so far he hasn’t received anything in writing.

                        Art & Kathy Lavoie letter:

Letter copies emailed.  Taxpayer Kathy Lavoie said that they are not trying to control the sale of the station; they want to enjoy their home too.  Taxpayer Art Lavoie said they are just looking for good neighbors.  Taxpayer Autieri said he feels the Board will be sympathetic.  Taxpayer Art Lavoie said that the original land was given to the District by Kathy’s grandfather. Chairman Novak informed the BOD that he sent an email to many town people along with a copy of the ad and the assessment to see if anyone could/would be interested.

Next Step:

“The Front Page” is “RI’s Newest Shopper with a Twist”.  The price of an ad here is $100/month and if the station hasn’t sold in 3 months, the fourth month is free.  Treasurer Underwood asked of the responses did any of them see viable.  Chairman Novak answered that 1 was an irrigation business, 1 was a landscaper, 1 was a tree service and a couple of them wanted it to store antique cars.  Moderator Smith asked if anyone made an offer.  Chairman Novak answered no but he asked them to.

Well Closing:

            None.

            Grant Opportunities:

            None.

            New Station Open House:

            Probably in September.

NEW BUSINESS:

            Propane Cylinder Bid Opening:

Received 1 bid; $205.00 from Chuck Smith, 205 Weaver Hill Rd.  Mr. Beauchaine motioned to award the bid of $205.00 to Chuck Smith, Mr. Holt seconded.  Mr. Humble asked if there would be a Bill of Sale for this.  Chairman Novak answered that there could be.  Taxpayer Sykes would like the money to go to the new building.  Motion carried unanimously.

            Crown Victoria Replacement Committee Appointments:

            Chairman Novak said that in the last few weeks there have been several problems with it; the converter, the fuel pump and it needs 4 new tires.  Chairman Novak motioned to appoint Mr. Beauchaine Chairman of this committee.  Mr. Holt seconds, Mr. Beauchaine accepts.  Taxpayer Mays strongly objects to this; he didn’t think it was needed to begin with and he doesn’t think it needs to be replaced.  District Clerk Pomfret asked him why he felt this way; he answered it was an “ego thing”. 

            Upcoming Meeting Dates:

            SAP – second Thursday of every month

            BOD – third Thursday of every month

Chief Pomfret told the BOD that he is glad to be back, he missed it.

Adjournment:

Mr. Beauchaine motioned to adjourn, Mr. Holt seconded, motion to adjourn carried unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 8:23pm.