Western Coventry Fire District

4661 Flat River Road

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

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August 20, 2009

WCFD Board of Directors Meeting

Present:

Richard Holt, Kent Novak and Jonathan Mitchell

Excused: Peter Beauchaine 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, Deputy Chief Hall, Attorney Bill Harsch, Firefighters Nathan Pomfret, Taxpayers Skip Mays and Arthur Lavoie and Peter Schaumburg from Twin Lights Emergency Vehicle Division.

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairperson Kent Novak.

Approval of July 2009 BOD Meeting Minutes:

Fix date at bottom of pages 2 through 5.  Mr. Mitchell motioned to accept the July minutes as amended, Mr. Holt seconded, motion carried unanimously. 

Moment of Silence:

A moment of silence was observed for deceased former member, Alan Smith and deceased member of our sister district Anthony, Joe Hartman.

Open Forum:

Chairman Novak asked that this be moved to the end of the agenda as 12e.  He also noted that Adjournment should be item #13.

Chairman’s Comments:

New EMT-Cs:

Chairman Novak informed the BOARD that Chief Pomfret and Firefighter Steven Mann are newly christened Cardiacs.  He also tipped his hat to Steven Mann and Nick Brown and his wife for assembling the gear racks for the new station; they were delivered last Saturday and by Sunday they were all complete.

Chairman Novak also informed the BOARD that the following information was not up for discussion: there has been another APRA request for prevailing wage information and there has been an agenda issue and an ethics issue that may come up.

NEW BUSINESS:

Tank Replacement Bid Opening/Possible Awarding of Bid:

The first bid was from E.J. Boughton Co., LLC., $28,500.00.  The second bid was from Twin Lights, $22,779.00.  The third bid was from C&S Specialty Inc., $24,650.00.  Chairman Novak suggested that with the level of detail presented by the 3 companies, the bid packages should go to the Chief for his review.  Mr. Mitchell motioned to submit the bid packages to the Chief for his perusal and recommendation at the next BOD meeting.  Mr. Holt seconded, motion carried unanimously.  The next BOD meeting is September 17^th.

Moderator’s Report:

Nothing to report.

Chief’s Report:

Report copies handed out (WCFD Activity Report, Jul-09 Salaries and WCFD data Breakouts, Stats Runs from 3/01/09 – 2/28/10).  Chief Pomfret informed the Board that there was a recent injury in the department, a fire fighter got hurt while lifting a patient.  If the department had purchased the electric stretcher that was requested last budget it probably would not have happened.  He suggested looking into putting that in next year’s budget.  The fire fighter will be out at least 3 weeks.  Mr. Mitchell motioned to accept the Chief’s reports as presented.  Mr. Holt seconded and asked what the cost of an electric stretcher is.  Deputy Chief Hall answered, $12,000 to $13,000 but it may be less if the old stretcher was traded in.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Treasurer’s Report:

Report copies handed out (Treasurer’s Report July 31, 2009, General Ledger from 7/1/09-7/31/09, General Ledger from 3/1/08-6/30/09 and Statement of Net Assets and Governmental Funds Balance Sheet dated July 31, 2009).  Treasurer Underwood mentioned that Rescue Recovery revenues are a little bit down because as the Chief mentioned, calls are down.  Mr. Holt motioned to accept the Treasurer’s reports as presented, Mr. Mitchell seconded, motion carried unanimously.

Tax Collector’s Report:

Report copies handed out (email).  The tax sale number is down to 30 properties.  The tax collector handed out a copy of the 2009 Tax Roll.  Last year’s net levy was $458,124.37; there will be $4,378.43 more this year.  Mr. Mitchell motioned to accept the Tax Collector’s report as presented and to set the tax rate at $1.06, which represents a $.02 increase from last year.  Mr. Holt seconded, motioned carried unanimously.

District Clerk’s Report:

District Clerk Pomfret told the Board that she is having laptop problems.  Chairman Novak invited her to attend the next Building Committee meeting on August 26^th to discuss it with the IT person who will be present at that meeting.

Building Committee Report:

Report copies handed out (New Fire Station Building Committee Report).  Chairman Novak told the Board that Cox has already done their work and Masons is at the new building today assembling the desks.  Treasurer Underwood said that he needs to extend the construction loan for 1 more month (for the c.o. and water quality).  Chairman Novak hopes the water quality test will be done by next Wednesday.  Mr. Holt motioned to accept the Treasurer’s reports as presented.  Mr. Mitchell seconded, motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUISNESS:

            SAP/SOP Committee Update:

            The second meeting was held.  The minutes are included for informational purposes only; the Committee has already approved them.

            Station Sale Update and Next Step:

            Chairman Novak informed the Board that an ad is being run again in the SRI’s Showcase of Homes for $49.00.  Mr. Holt said that perhaps it is broker time.  Chairman Novak said he would like to develop another ad; he showed the members a copy of an ad from Jamestown that caught his eye.  He said he has not received 1 offer in writing yet.  Moderator Smith asked if he had received any verbal offers.  Chairman Novak answered no.  He asked if a more specific ad should be placed; he has not heard “word one” from the Town.  Treasurer Underwood said that maybe the district could generate income from leasing the building.  It was decided that Mr. Holt and Chairman Novak will develop another ad and advertise it in an appropriate venue.

Well Closing:

            ATC Lincoln Environmental was on the property and on the neighbor’s property today.  There should be closure on this issue soon; they will be working next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the last step is to seal the wells.

            Grant Opportunities:

            Chairman Novak asked that if anyone knows of any grants to please inform him.  The State supposedly has some funds for energy.  He encourages everyone to look for a geo thermal type grant.  Treasurer Underwood mentioned looking into rural development or USDA grants and loans.

NEW BUSINESS:

            Administrative Vehicle (Crown Victoria) Replacement Committee Appointments:

             This will be done at the September meeting.

            Upcoming Meeting Dates:

            Hopefully they will be in the new station.  Next Building Committee Meeting: 8/26, Next SAP Committee Meeting: 9/10, Next Board of Directors Meeting: 9/17.

            Agenda Adequacy and the OMA:

            Chairman Novak told the Board that there has been a question or 2 as to whether or not our agendas are adequate; Attorney Harsch is present to address the issue.  He said that the Open Meetings Act only requires a statement specifying the “nature” of the business to be discussed, not a verbatim list of every potential aspect that might be discussed in relation to a particular topic.  He said, “You need to be very careful not to draw specific lines.  He also said that it is very clear to him in reviewing over 2 years of the district’s records that this organization has bent over backwards to comply with the requirements of State Law.  He said that for an organization that is not very large, we are doing a very fine job of  keeping matters open to the public and giving the public plenty of opportunity to participate.

Open Forum:

Taxpayer Lavoie asked if there would be a formal letter saying that the wells are cleared? Chairman Novak said yes and if not the Board would strive to make sure the answer is yes; they will do their due diligence.

Adjournment:

Mr. Mitchell motioned to adjourn, Mr. Holt seconded, motion carried unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.