TOWN OF SOMERS

FIRE COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, October 20, 2005

 

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:          Mr. Lawlor called the meeting to order at 7:05

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:          Alice Van Tasel, David Palmer, Fr. Bruno, Frank Lawlor, Chief Meier, Deputy Chief Falcone

 

OTHERS:                      Nick Reuter, Robert G. Say, Robert E. Say (Somers High School)

 

BUDGET UPDATE:          Approximately 27% of the fiscal yr’s budget has been expended to date.

 

                                      A concerted effort is underway to economize as much as possible.  This may take the form of modifying the number of fire apparatus that “automatically respond” to some calls.

 

                                      We incurred an expense of $2056 for brakes on Rescue 546.

 

FLOOD UPDATE:          The Department was on “stand-by” from 11:30 p.m. Friday until noon on Saturday.

 

                                      The EOC (emergency operations center) was activated.

 

                                      There were 35 emergency calls between 11:30 p.m and 5 a.m., 9 vehicles were in the river.  There were 2 “raging water rescues”.  There were innumerable requests for help with flooded basements which were handled after all emergencies were addressed.

 

                                      The Town of Somers is exploring the possibility of reimbursement of some expenses from State and/or Federal sources.

 

                                      The response by both the paid staff and volunteers was extraordinary during this critical time.

 

FIRE MARSHAL:          Work on the school (MBA) is progressing well.  Brickwork is being completed.

 

                                      Adjustments have been made in the volume of the new fire alarm system. 

 

                                      The Fire Marshal is working with the School Dept. and the contractors to resolve a problem with an abandoned gas pipe left in the ceiling.

 

                                      Spark has been a great success.

 

                                      The Fire Marshal has applied for a Fed. grant of approximately $67,000 which will be used for a “smoke trailer w/ a sprinkler room.

 

                                      A motion was made by Father Bruno and seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel to approve payment of the time sheets submitted by Mr. Summers.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

FIRE CHIEF:          EOC operation during the flood emergency revealed the need for more radios and “base-stations”, updated maps, and antenna.

 

                                      The officers of the Fire Service will be conducting to review equipment needs.  This will involve updating cost estimates for CIP proposals.

                                      Replacement of the service truck with a 4 X 4 pick-up is one proposal to be reviewed.

 

                                      Bids for the tanker Truck will re-issued.  Based on the RFP specifications only one bid was received.

                                      The Truck Committee will be meeting with 4 companies to modify specifications.

 

PLANNING SUMMARY:

                                      The Fire Commission set November 17th as the date for the executive summary presentation.  Members of the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, The Town Planner and Planning Board and The State Rep. will be invited.

 

                                      In preparation for the meeting Chief Meier and Deputy Chief Falcone will work together on the presentation.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:          A motion was made by Father Bruno and seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel and unanimously approved to adjourn at 8:15