GHFD Commissioners Meeting Minutes

5/6/08.

Minutes taken to the best of my ability.

Met in Rec room because conference room was too hot.

Vehicles they have for sale.

1994 GMC Suburban

2004 Ford Taurus (district car).


Treasurer’s report balance in general fund $ 519,654

Comm. Ruffin said he was busy with district business and had no time to call Nextel.

Comm. Wilson said paying Nextel part of running district 

Comm Kelly said “we all have to straighten up”.

Attorney William Glass arrived at 7:35 pm.


$ 5,900 quote to re-roof rec room 30 x 60

$ 13,800 quote to re-roof EMS bay 62 x 58


Fire Convention Expo, Baltimore MD, 6 days, 7 people.  $ 11,973.75 (does not

include meals or transportation).  

NYS audit findings 2207.   However, the Board did not set a per diem allowance 

for lodging expenses and incurred lodging costs that may have been 

unnecessary. Based on our review of travel expenses, the District paid 

more than the maximum Federal per diem rate prescribed for lodging 

at the Baltimore conference, incurring expenses of approximately 

$15,500 (an average of $2,214 per attendee).  


The GHFD commissioners continue with their insensitive spending practices even after the NYS audit findings of 2007 reported that their overspending on conference trips as an unnecessary expense.



$ 1,522.58 BLS Medical Moore 

$ 19,008.00 Zoll Monitors


Planning their 2009 Installation dinner.


April 1, 2008


Minutes taken at the Gordon Heights Fire District meeting of 4/1/08, to the best of my ability.



1.  Mr. Tyree, from the Tyree Tank Removal Company was present at the meeting last night.

He had originally given the GHFD a quote to remove the underground tanks, install the above ground tanks including  the engineering fees 

at a cost of  $ 193,852.00.   After Mr. Tyree learned that this is a "volunteer" fire department, he advised that he will rework the quote .  

He gave a verbal estimate cost between $ 125,000. to $ 150,000.  (plus).


(the residents are hoping for the skinnier number)


The plans to remove the tanks needs to be filed before Dec 31, 2008 and the tanks need to removed before the end of 2009.  If the plans are not filed by the end of 2008, we will be fined.


The underground tanks will be removed and replaced by above ground tanks.  The new tanks

are not being placed in the same spot; they are being moved across the parking lot where they are currently sitting because that space is being earmarked for

future construction.


2.  The treasurer was not present tonight, therefore, there was no treasurers' report read.


3.  The RAD57 carbon monoxide detector, which is an unfunded mandate, is "tabled for now". They do not know how many they need to purchase.  (amount of

       this equipment was not mentioned, again).


4.  The Taurus (district car) has passed inspection.


5.  We paid for extended warranties on two vehicles  for $ 4,380.00


6.  In April 2008, they are going to start keeping records of their fuel usage.


7.  We need to rent a Lift to get upstairs for some electrical work.  Currently, We do not have any access to the 2nd floor of the GH fire house (there has been talk 

about  adding an elevator at a future date).


8.  The siren is broken on the main building.  They need to replace the electronic box  (cost ??)


9.  The commissioners have asked that the Fire Department use their donations to help pay for the ID system.  The cost of the ID system is  

        $ 3560.00.   The commissioners are asking that the Fire Department pay $ 1500.00 and the fire district will pay the balance.  The Chief Rudder expressed his objections over "the departments" money being spent on this item.



10.  The fire district signs are being installed in approx 1-2 wks.


11.   They are buying a soda machine, similiar to the one in McDonald's (per Commissioner Dean)  maintenance cost not discussed.


12.  We paid $ 845.00 for the Fire House Software contract (computer software contract).


13.  The commissioners are discussing a new computer software, Alpine, amount (???).  To be included in next years' budget.


14. They are working with contractor to reconfigure the entire kitchen  (cost ?)


15.2008 cost for work on the roof (again) not yet determined.


 

16.Letter received from member of the community asking that the public be allowed to address the Board.

Comm.  Kelly's response 'well that is something we have to look into'.

March 17, 2008

GHFD workshop meeting.


The following minutes were taken at the GHFD Workshop held on March 17, 2008, and transcribed to the best of my ability.


Commissioners have two quotes for new Identification system (to generate ID’s for the firemen)..    Amount of the quotes were not mentioned.

Comm. Gordon stated his concern over the cost of the system and questions if a digital camera and printer could not generate the photo ID.s  

Comm. Ruffin, explains that “in todays world, they need this type of system so that the security cards are not easily duplicated”.

The new mechanic made a statement about the warrenties expiring on two of the trucks

5-9-20 and 5-9-21 at the end of the month.  Ford offers extended plans of $ 2,180 per truck.

Warrants and claims to be paid today : $ 5,049.39

They are setting up a defensive driving course, it appears that the GHFD is paying for it’s members to attend the course.  


Mr Ruffin attended a workshop held and noted the possibility of changing all the inside tires on the fire trucks from Steel to Alum, at an approx. cost of $ 500.00 + per tire.

The reason is that “at high speeds the heat generated on the tires could cause the tires to come apart”.  

Also, it is a recommendation that all tires should be replaced every 8 yrs regardless of the amount of use.  Concerns over “dryrot”.  And the Shelf Life of all Fire related turn out gear is 10 years.  

We now have the new GHFD boundary signs and direction signs.  Mr. Ruffin wants to 

put the direction signs outside the fire district.  It is questioned if we need to get approval from the other fire districts to put our signs in their districts.

Hammond Medical supplies, for ALS supplies, $ 1,557.22

Tyree (?) will speak at next comm. meeting about removing the fuel tanks.

They purchased new cones that are lightweight with lights on the inside.  According to Chief Rudder these are needed “because, as you know, our fire police personnel are not spring chickens".


NY State has handed down an unfunded mandate for a RAD57 carbon monixide poisoning detector.    The cost to purchase this pc of equipment was not mentioned.