TOWN OF SOMERS

FIRE COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, November 16, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Lawlor at 7:00

Members present:

Father Bruno, Mrs. Van Tasel, Mr. Rohrbach, and Mr. Lawlor.

Fire Chief:

The Chief reported that we are “already” having issues with the boilers in the firehouse. One of the boilers is not turning on when appropriate. It is estimated that it will cost at least $500 to address the problem. We have already spent over $1400 to empty the oil tanks and lines to assure that sediment was not building up. We have changed the “filtration system” on the boilers to a duel line system, which has replaceable filters. Any problem with filters this winter should be able to be handled by our own staff.

CIP proposals are due before the end of November. The Chief is proposing no new items this year and 3 in the next five years.

1. 2009-2010 new 4X4 class A pumper

2. 2010-2011 new or refurbished ET 146

3. 2010-2011 new ambulance

The budget for the year is “okay” .

Mrs. Van Tasel asked to make sure that the numbers we would be submitting to CIP would be realistic and that the town would take in to consideration the inevitable inflation over the next five years. The Chief assured the Commission that numbers would be appropriate.

The Fire Commission reviewed the progress of our discussions about the five-year plan with the BOS and the BOF. Unfortunately the consensus was that we had made little, if any progress. The Commission discussed various methods including newsletters, newspapers and questioners to help us get our message out to the citizens and taxpayers.

Fire Marshal:

Mr. Summers reported that the firehouse software had been updated and all data regarding the status of inspections would now be available on line.

CL& P will be working in the area for the next month inspecting and repairing overhead lines. The repair process may result in the sound of small “explosions” being heard in various parts of town.

The Fire Marshal and the Commission reviewed an updated Cistern/water policy. This proposal will be acted upon by the Planning and Zoning Dept and become part of our subdivision regulations. The Chief expressed concern about the maintenance and filling of proposed cisterns.

The Commission began discussions of a “Driveway ordinance”.

There has been no further progress in the development of a Fire Marshal/Fire Inspector job description and/or the replacement of our current Fire Marshal.

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Fr. Bruno, seconded by Mrs. Van Tasel and unanimously approved to adjourn.

The Regular meeting of the Fire Commission for Decembers has been cancelled.