Moderator

Chuck Smith

District Clerk

Jean Pomfret

Treasurer

Glenn Underwood

Tax Collector

Joan Smith

Board of Directors

Ch. Earl Mann

Members

Kent Novak

Richard Holt

John Humble

May 12, 2010

WCFD Board of Directors Meeting

Present:

Richard Holt, Kent Novak, Earl Mann, John Humble

Absent:

None

Also present:

District Clerk, Deputy Chief Hall, Treasurer Underwood, Moderator Smith and Taxpayers: David Tate, Ken Jackson, Ginny Novak, Robert Hevey and W.C.S. Mays III.

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairperson Mann.

Ratification of Moderator appointment of BOD member to fill vacancy on Board:

Motion made by Mr. Holt to ratify Robert Hevey as a member of the BOD, seconded by Mr. Humble. Mr. Novak asked Moderator Smith how many candidates were considered. Moderator Smith answered that Mr. Hevey approached him first, he also received inquires from Ken Jackson and Scott Murray. Mr. Novak said he hoped that wasn’t the criteria used for the decision. He quoted minutes from the January 2010 BOD meeting where Moderator Smith said: “It is a critical time in the budget season, he recommends Steven Autieri, Esq. Moderator Smith has known Mr. Autieri for 20 years and he currently sits on the SAP Committee.” Mr. Novak asked Moderator Smith why Mr. Autieri was good enough in January but not now. Moderator Smith answered that he (Mr. Autieri) didn’t express and interest.

Mr. Novak asked Mr. Hevey why he wanted to be on the BOD. He answered that he got interest through the By-Laws Committee and his family history. Mr. Novak asked him if he had made disparaging comments about the Chief at a previous meeting. Chairman Mann ruled the question out of order. He then asked if he agreed with the agreement between the BOD and the firefighters. Chairman Mann ruled the question out of order. Mr. Novak said he accepted the Chairman’s ruling without prejudice.

Aye votes for Mr. Hevey’s appointment to the vacancy on the Board: Mssrs. Holt, Humble & Mann, Mr. Novak abstained from the vote. Motion carries.

Develop 2010-2011 Fiscal Year Budget Based on Parameters Set at Annual Meeting:

Chief Pomfret, Deputy Chief Hall, Chairman Mann and Mr. Humble met to discuss changes in EMS coverage to comply with budget restrictions. See “Alternate Staffing” handout. Account# 77500-Run Pay and Fill Ins and Account# 77400-Duty Crew Incentive were discussed at length along with ways to save money without loss of service. Taxpayer Ken Jackson is concerned, he doesn’t know of any department that will roll a truck with only 1 person. He doesn’t believe the taxpayers realize what they were doing to coverage when they level funded the budget; they placed a cost on their lives/homes. Deputy Chief Hall said the Rescue is a money maker; the more calls we make the more dollars are made (in Rescue Recovery Funds). Mr. Holt motioned to accept the recommendation to change the Duty Crew Shift from 6pm-6am to 10pm-6am with an on call shift from 6pm-10pm. Mr. Humble seconded. Mr. Novak said that at the Annual Meeting it was presented that the District has 124 hour/week coverage; hopefully the public will be notified of the decrease in 2 person coverage. He also questioned the duties that are currently being performed during the 6-6 shift. Mr. Holt suggested posting a chart of coverage being provided and how it is being provided. Deputy Chief Hall agrees with Taxpayer Jackson; he doesn’t think the taxpayers understand the coverage situation. Mr. Humble agrees that the taxpayers should be apprised of the risk without 24/7 coverage. Vote on the motion made by Mr. Holt was called, Mr. Hevey abstained, Mssrs. Holt, Humble and Mann voted Aye, Mr. Novak voted Nay. Motion carries 3-1. This saves $10,000.

Mr. Humble motions to close out the Station Account, Mr. Hevey seconds. Mr. Holt asks what the purpose of this is. Mr. Humble doesn’t believe additional trees are needed. Mr. Holt said doing this will not help the operating budget; Mr. Humble thought it would. Treasurer Underwood explained that any dollars left over would go back where they belong; taxpayer approval would be needed to spend it. Mr. Novak agrees with Mr. Holt that there are still things that should be done, items still open are cement pad, stone wall, landscaping and a locked announcement board. Mr. Humble withdraws his motion now that he understands that doing this will not help the operating budget.

Account# 77600-Department Officers: Mr. Humble thinks it is appropriate to not include the increases in this year’s budget, this would save $7,920. Mr. Holt said that with respect to the Safety Officer, he strongly suggests that he get paid to the level of the other department lieutenants; he currently performs a valuable service and gets no compensation. Mr. Humble motioned to eliminate the department officers pay increases for this year. Mr. Holt seconded. Taxpayer Jackson asked when they were increased last; no one could answer the question. Mr. Jackson suggests a 3% cost of living increase. Mr. Holt amended the motion to reduce the pay increases to 3% and give the Safety Officer pay to match the other lieutenants to be effective June 1, 2010. Mr. Humble seconded the amendment. Mssrs. Holt, Hevey, Humble and Mann voted Aye, Mr. Novak voted Nay, he is not in favor of the motion as presented. Motion carries 4-1; approximate savings of $7,333.

Account# 74500-Gear and Equipment: Mr. Holt asks if there is anything here that can be funded from Rescue Recovery to make up the balance of the budget shortfall. Treasurer Underwood suggests getting accurate payroll numbers to make sure the amount is accurate. Chairman Mann suggests another budget meeting for May 26, 2010. Mr. Humble motions to have Treasurer Underwood confirm the payroll numbers so the exact dollar amount is known. The amount will be deducted from Gear and Equipment and will be funded from Rescue Recovery. Mr. Holt seconds. Mssrs. Hevey, Holt, Humble and Mann vote Aye, Mr. Novak votes Nay; he agrees with allowing the Treasurer to get the exact figure but doesn’t agree with funding from Rescue Recovery.

Adjournment:

Mr. Humble motioned to adjourn, Mr. Hevey seconded. Mr. Novak asked if there would be Public Comment. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:36pm.