TOWN OF SOMERS

FIRE COMMISSION

MINUTES-SPECIAL MEETING

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2006

7:00 Fire House

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

Members Present:

Carl Rohrbach, Father Bruno, Frank Lawlor

Fire Chief Bill Meier, Asst Chief Frank Falcone

Correspondence:

A letter outlining the upcoming fire academy was given to the Fire Commission.

Fire Chief:

The new ambulance has been licensed and both vehicles are now in service. On Super Bowl Sunday three medical calls were received in a short span of time and both ambulances were used.

The chief expressed concern about the fact that during the summer months the same two or three people were responding to calls on weekends. He planned to address this problem by adjusting part time coverage from Apr. 1 thru Oct 1.

2006-2007 Budget:

The Chief submitted for consideration budgets for the

Ambulance and the Fire Department. The Fire Marshal also submitted his proposed budget for 2006-07.

After lengthy discussion and review Mr. Rohrbach made a motion which was seconded by Fr. Bruno to approve the three proposed budgets and to submit them to the Board of Selectmen.

Fire Dept. $456,512.40 +3.58%

Ambulance: $50,370.00 +3.49%

Fire Marshal $17,105.00 +3.50%

Tanker:

After approval of the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen the increase needed in the 2005-2006 budget to purchase (lease) the proposed tanker is awaiting Town Meeting approval. The order will be entered immediately after approval with delivery expected in approx. 9 months.

Fire Marshal

At the Board of Finance meeting Walter Somers announced that he had accepted a position as full time Fire Marshal for the Town of South Windsor, CT. At the time of the Fire Commission meeting it was unclear as to the status of Mr. Somers and his position as Somer’s Fire Marshal. Until this is clarified the Fire Commission deferred any discussion and/or action.

Public Relations

A general discussion was held regarding the need for and possible approach to increasing the awareness of Somers residents to the needs and benefits of their Fire and Ambulance service.

Because of the workload associated with “budget season” it was decided to postpone any significant activity until the May- June time frame.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Fr. Bruno, seconded by Mr. Rohrbach and approved unanimously to adjourn at 8:35