TOWN OF SOMERS

FIRE COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Thursday September 16, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER:     Carl Rohrbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present:      Tony Bruno, Dave Palmer, Jr, Frank Lawlor and Carl Rohrbach

Members Absent:        Alice Van Tasel

Others Present:          First Selectman Dave Pinney, Fire Chief Bill Meier, Fire Marshall Walter Summers, Bill Bouchelle

 

MINUTES APPROVAL: 

A motion was made by Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Palmer and passed unanimously to approve the July 15, 2004 regular meeting minutes.

 

AUDIENCE COMMENTS: 

None

 

CORRESPONDENCE

None

 

FIRE MARSHAL:

·         The funding request for the installation of the hydrant at the intersection Route 83 and Field Road is on the September 27 Board of Finance agenda.

·         A motion by Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Lawlor to approve payment for the Fire Marshal activities for the period from 8/9/04 through 9/2/04 passed unanimously.

·         Received FEMA grant (90% of cost) for Hazard House which will be ordered next week.  Need $800 from budget to complete purchase.

·         A motion was made by Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Palmer and passed unanimously authorizing the Fire Marshal to submit a grant request for “Patches and Pumper™”, a pre-K through 2 fire safety teaching tool.  Like Hazard House this grant will cover 90% of cost.  The $900 not covered by the grant is currently unfunded.

·         A motion by Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Lawlor and passed unanimously approved the Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal’s attendance at the 18^th Annual Arson Investigators seminar.  Cost of seminar will total $450.  The Deputy Fire Marshal’s attendance is dependent on the Chief’s and Shift Captain’s okay and switching time so no overtime is incurred.

·         A grant has been submitted by Ms. Butler, the advisor to the SHS Forensics Class, to the Somers Education Foundation requesting materials for a mock arson scene in the Fire Department’s donated house trailer for her Forensics Class to investigate.  A motion by Mr. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Lawlor and passed unanimously approved the use of the trailer for this activity.

 

FIRE CHIEF 

The town attorney, in discussions with Crown Castle’s attorney, feels that Crown Castle will accept responsibility for installation of the radio antennas on the tower at their cost. 

 

FIRE HOUSE BUILDING MAINTENANCE CONTRACT AND INSULATION:

·         Commission discussed  the need for proper building maintenance and the lack of a coordinated servicing approach to achieve that goal.    A motion, with agreement from the First Selectman, was made by Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Palmer and passed unanimously authorizing Mr. Bouchelle to seek a 9-month not to exceed $2000 technical services contract from Fahrenheit to cover all of the Fire House’s HVAC systems.  

·         The First Selectman has agreement with New England Building Material, the  insulation subcontractor during the Fire House construction, to inspect the insulation for deficiencies.  The contractor will inspect next week to determine extent of necessary repairs.

 

FIRE COMMISSION ORDINANCE COMMENTS:

The Town attorney had not completed his review which has lower priority than other items he working for the town

 

BUDGET REVIEW:

The overall 2004/2005 fire service budgets are on track.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

None

 

ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn was made at 8:15 p.m. by Mr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Lawlor and passed unanimously.  The next regular meeting is October 21, 2004 at 7 pm at the Somers Fire House.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Carl Rohrbach, Jr.

Chairman