TOWN OF SOMERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Carl Rohrbach
called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Alice Van Tasel, Tony Bruno, and
Carl Rohrbach
Members Absent: Dave Palmer, Jr. and Frank Lawlor
Others Present: First Selectman Dave Pinney, Fire
Marshal Walter Summers, Bill Bouchelle and Tom Mehl,
AUDIENCE COMMENTS:
Fire Department is holding a pancake breakfast
on Sunday June 6, 2004
MINUTES
APPROVAL:
Several typos were noted
in the minutes. A motion was made by Mr.
Bruno, seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel and passed unanimously to approve the April
15, 2004 regular meeting minutes as amended.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter received from the State of Connecticut
Department of Public Safety announcing pre-licensing training for Building Code
enforcement officers. The notice will
be posted at the Fire House
FIRE HOUSE
OPEN ITEMS and REMAINING BUILDING COMMITTEE MONEY
·
Copies of the Building
Committee meeting minutes have been added to the Fire Commission files.
·
Mr. Bouchelle brought the
Commission up to date regarding the four items recommended by the Building
Committee to expend the remaining $4K in their treasury.
·
Discussed the need to
improve the insulation above the ceiling in the Fire House to prevent reoccurrence
of the burst pipes from the last two winters and to minimize HVAC operating
cost. These costs are over budget this
year and projected to be over budget during the next fiscal year. Mr. Pinney suggested getting an expert to evaluate
the magnitude and cost of the problem.
He and Mr. Bouchelle will follow-up.
FIRE MARSHAL:
·
High School renovation
project building permit has been issued
o
Would expect higher demand
on weekly time to attend construction meetings
·
Sent letter to Superintendent
of Schools concerning violations of the Connecticut Life Safety Code during a
recent concert at the high school. Mr.
Jefferson has requested a meeting to address the issues and possible solutions
and provide comments on review of School Use Guidelines proposed by the Fire
Marshal.
o
The Commission requested
that the Fire Marshal back charge the school for his unexpected concert Fire
Watch charges due to the violations.
·
A motion by
Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel to approve payment for the Fire Marshal
activities for the period from 4/4/04 through 5/15/04 passed unanimously. It was noted that 13 of the 83 hours (16%)
in the period were devoted to school renovation projects.
·
Status of
fire and natural hazard preparedness teaching materials for grades K through 8
o
Received the
$8.1K Fire Act grant for Hazard House. Remaining
$810 needed from FM budget
o
Submitted PO
for the Red Cross’ Masters of Disaster fire and natural hazard safety courses
o
Ordered fire
safety video tape “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Science”
·
Three new
hydrants remain scheduled for this fiscal year and five for next fiscal year
o
Need to go to
Board of Finance regarding $12.5K required for critical hydrant installation at
Field Rd. and Rte 83
FIRE
CHIEF
·
The First Selectman
has begun seeking input from the paid staff regarding proposed changes to their
pay scale and length of the work week.
·
A meeting is planned
to discuss funding for the pay increase and shift schedule implications.
BUDGET REVIEW:
The current 2003/2004 budgets for Fire
Department, Ambulance and Fire Marshal remain on track although some transfers
will be required.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion to adjourn was made at 8:45 p.m. by Mr.
Bruno, seconded by Mrs. Van
Tasel and passed unanimously. The next regular meeting is June 17, 2004 at
7 pm at the Somers Fire House.
Respectfully submitted,
Carl Rohrbach, Jr.
Chairman