TOWN OF SOMERS

FIRE COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday February 17, 2005

CALL TO ORDER: Frank Lawlor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Alice Van Tasel, Tony Bruno, Dave Palmer, Jr.,

Frank Lawlor, a vacancy exists on the Commission

Others Present: Carl Rohrbach, First Selectman David Pinney, Fire Chief Bill Meier, Fire Marshal Walter Summers

Minutes Approval:

A motion to approve the minutes from the January 20^th regular meeting was made

by Mr. Palmer and Seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel and passed unanimously.

Audience Comments:

Mr. Carl Rohrbach spent a few minutes discussing the appreciation dinner sponsored by

the Board of Selectman for all those who volunteer their services to the Towns Boards

and Commissions. He distributed pins to all members of the Commission which

were given out at that dinner.

Correspondence

None

Selectman:

Mr. Pinney reviewed for us the decision of the Board of Selectman in regard to the 05-06

Fire Dept budget. The Selectman had agreed to “support’ the proposed budget

“as written”. At the same time he acknowledged that because of a computation error in

the FULL TIME EMPLOYEE line (computing 40hrs per week instead of the current

44 hr week), and minor adjustments in the heat and fuel calculations the budget,

as it stood, would fall approximately $17000 short of the amounts necessary to fund

the proposed items. Mr. Pinney requested that the Commission review the budget to

determine where we could adjust line items to meet the expected shortfall. Mr. Pinney

then left the meeting.

In order to expedite the discussion the Commission moved on to other agenda items

with the expectation that we would return to the budget discussion at the end of the

meeting.

FIRE MARSHALL

A motion was made by Rev. Bruno and seconded by Mr. Palmer to approve payment for

the Fire Marshall’s activities as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

FIRE CHIEF/BUDGET REVIEW

The commission conducted a protracted review and discussion of the proposed budget

and the Selectman’s actions. While the Fire Commission was understanding of the

Selectman’s issues and eager to support this Board of Selectman, the Commission found

that it was impossible to rework the lines items in a way that

would generate the necessary funds. The Fire Commission felt that some line items could be adjusted and that these changes would result in a reduction of approx. $6000. The Fire Commission also felt that that to suggest and/or to accept any deeper reductions would be irresponsible of the Commission. The Commission felt strongly that it had a duty to ask the Board of Selectman and The Finance Board to fully fund the revised budget.

After long discussion a motion was made by Mr. Palmer, seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel,

and passed unanimously by the Fire Commission that stated:

The 2005-2006 proposed and submitted Fire Department Budget should be revised and

increased to recognize the $15,400 in additional funds that will be needed based upon

the updated information that was provided by the office of the First Selectman and

the Fire Chief’s recommendation.

The Fire Chief reviewed the situation with the Town of Somers Ambulance which had

been out of service for four days because of mechanical problems. Mutual Aid

Communities had been assisting Somers. It was expected that the repair bill would

be approx $3000.00. The Chief mentioned the there was some discussion on the

Finance Committee regarding the necessesity of obtaining a second ambulance for

Town use.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Rev. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Palmer and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45

Respectfully submitted: Frank J. Lawlor