Western Coventry Fire District

1110 Victory Highway

Greene, RI  02827

(401) 397-7520

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April 21, 2010

WCFD Board of Directors Meeting

Present:

Richard Holt, Kent Novak, Earl Mann, John Humble

Absent:

None

Also present:

Chief Joel Pomfret, and Taxpayers Chuck Smith, Ken Jackson, Ginny Novak, Skip Mays

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairperson Mann

Appointment of Moderator:

Chairman Mann said that Chuck Smith has agreed to come back on as moderator.  Mr. Holt motioned to nominate Chuck Smith as moderator, Mr. Humble seconded; motion carried 4-0.

Chairman Mann said that for future meetings before any votes are taken he will ask for BOD discussion and then allow public comment.

BOD member Jon Mitchell’s resignation:

Chairman Mann read Mr. Mitchell’s resignation out loud and said it should be added to the minutes, it appears as follows:

“Dear Earl,

As we discussed, please accept this as my resignation from the Western Coventry Fire District Board of Directors, effective immediately.  During the recess of today's meeting I received direct, personal threats from a taxpayer and overheard the same from another.  These threats were well orchestrated and were planned to force my resignation from the Board. 

I will not subject my family or myself to any personal threats or attacks.  I have long said, and we have all witnessed the personal agendas and back room politics that originate from two or three specific individuals, some of whom have served previously on the Board of Directors.  I am amazed at how they have and continue to mislead the honest taxpayers of this district, all in the pursuit of power, under the guise of serving the taxpayers.  They have now stooped to a new level by threatening me and my family.  We all know who they are.

I stand proud of my accomplishments while serving the citizens of the District.  I will continue to support the taxpayers (the honest ones), the firefighters and the Chief.  They are all good people and I am honored to have served with them.  Stand by your Chief and your volunteers.  They deserve your unwavering support.

I also want to thank the Directors and District officers who have served with me....those who believed in honest and open discussion and fought dishonesty....you know who you are! 

Thank you Earl.  God bless and I wish you and the Board all the wisdom and common sense to do what is right for the citizens of Western Coventry.

Respectfully,

Jonathan E Mitchell”

Chairman Mann responded as follows and asked that it entered into the record:

“Jonathan Mitchell

126 Hammet Rd.

Coventry, RI 02816

Jon, as Chair of the Board, it is with regret that I accept your resignation from the Western Coventry Fire District Board of Directors.

After reading your full statement of resignation, I understand your reasoning.  The reasons trouble me greatly and I would suggest you turn them over to the proper authority.

I personally THANK YOU, for your contributions to the District and hope that you will continue to find ways to serve our Community.

It is always difficult to separate, so called, Official correspondence from the pleasant Personal relationships that we all enjoy in our day-to-day lives, that Evie and I look forward to sharing with you, Janine and your Family.

“in HIS name, Jon”

                                    Earl Mann

File

CC:

R. Holt

J. Humble

K. Novak

Clerk: J. Pomfret

Treasurer: G. Underwood

Tax Collector: J. Smith

Counsel: William Harsch”

Chairman Mann hand delivered the letter to Jon.  Mr. Humble motioned to approve the Chairman’s actions based on the District By-law’s.  Mr. Novak seconded motion carried 4-0.

Change of monthly meeting night, Wednesday vs. Thursday:

Chairman Mann said that a couple of the members and the moderator have a conflict with Thursday night meetings.  Mr. Humble motioned to change the day of the meeting from the Third Thursday of the month to the Third Wednesday of the month.  Mr. Holt seconded, motion carried 4-0.

Open Forum:

Ken Jackson submitted his resume to be considered for the vacant BOD position.  He also prepared a website review with notes and conclusions for the BOD to review.

Mr. Humble asked if there would be a meeting with the volunteers to discuss department concerns.  A tentative meeting was schedule with Chairman Mann and Mr. Humble to speak to the volunteers during training on Monday 5, 2010.

Mr. Humble said he would like to provide input in putting a grievance process in place; Chairman Mann said this would fall under SAP’s.  Mr. Holt said the SAP Committee needed to be re-activated.  Mr. Smith said the district may also want to re-instate By-laws Committee.

Mr. Holt asked that a master contact list be compiled with all BOD member and Officer contact information.  The clerk told everyone to send her their information and she would prepare something. 

Adjournment:

Mr. Holt motioned to adjourn, Mr. Humble seconded, motion carried unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm.