September's Meeting Minutes 2020

EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District was called to order by Chairman Allyn Jackson at 8:07 p.m. Present were Commissioners Allyn Jackson, James Schaefer, Michael Mattera, Robert Holley and Stephen Gregory, First Assistant Chief Ted Jankowski, Secretary Lorraine Gregory, Treasurer Colleen Pearsall and William F. Glass, Esq., attorney for the District.

Note: This meeting is being kept to a minimum attendance due to the pandemic. Also, the meeting was delayed due to a conference with Mr. Glass to discuss the handling of a medical issue within the membership.

FIREHOUSE ATTENDANT REPORT

Mr. Schaffauer not required to attend the meeting.

See attached report.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Noted.

EMS REPORT

Mr. Patel not required to attend the meeting.

See attached report.

STAFF REPORT

1. Noted.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

1. A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, authorizing the purchase of the medical supplies requested, at a total cost of $1,216.07 (Hammer Medical - $488.45, BoundTree - $177.62, Teleflex - $550.00). Approved 5-0.

2. A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of one (1) Zoll AED Plus, including extra AED pads, at a total cost of $1,911.44. Approved 5-0.

3. A motion was made by Commissioner Holley, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, accepting the proposal from Sharps Compliance for the removal of biohazard waste, at a cost of $70.00 for three (3) months ($280.00 per year) for a three (3) year contract. Approved 5-0.

4. Noted.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Work Order Report dated 8/1/20 to 8/31/20 was submitted to the Board.

CHIEF'S REPORT

See attached report.

REQUESTS

1. Tabled.

2. A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, authorizing the purchase of two (2) AC Hotstick Detectors from TheFireStore, at a cost of $319.99 each. Approved 5-0.

3. A motion was made by Commissioner Holley, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of four (4) Altair 4XR Multi-Gas Detectors with Blue Tooth and 12V Chargers from Firematic, at a total cost of $3,951.00. Approved 5-0.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Holley, authorizing the purchase of five (5) sets of Turnout Gear (Glenn Bullock, Michael Algozzino, Alex Gladding and two spare sets) which includes boots, coats and pants, at an approximate total cost of $3,000.00. Approved 5-0.

2. A Zoom meeting will be taking place in October regarding LOSAP points. Commissioner Holley will participate.

3. First Assistant Chief Jankowski reminded the Board that there is a low number of EMT’s in the Department.

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

With regard to the LOSAP Point System COVID-19 Legislation, Mr. Glass suggested waiting until the end of the year when membership LOSAP Points are reviewed to make a decision as to whether or not to adopt a resolution regarding the determination of awarding a specific amount of points (up to five points) per month for active firefighters during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the use of petitions or a form letter for those interested in running for the office of Commissioner. The Board decided to continue with petitions.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Mattera, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, accepting the Minutes of the August 6, 2020 Regular Monthly Meeting. Approved 5-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mrs. Pearsall advised the Board that she is still working on preparing the 2021 budget.

Mrs. Pearsall also advised the Board that a refund check, in the amount of $495.00, was received from the AFDSNY regarding the cancellation of the upcoming conference in Niagara Falls.

A motion was made by Commissioner Holley, Seconded by Commissioner Gregory, accepting the proposal from Fluid Imagery for a new computer and monitor for the Treasurer, at an approximate cost of $1,605.00. Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Holley, approving the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Approved 5-0.

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Holley, seconded by Commissioner Schaefer, approving the Abstract of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 32 checks totaling $27,783.65 and to authorize the transfer of $60,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account. Approved 5-0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

An order form was received from Looseleaf Law Publications for the 2021 EMS and Fire Personnel, Legal Guide to NYS Town Law Updates and a letter was received from the Department regarding the membership in the Department of Joshua Davonski and Chris Pinto.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Holley asked if the Board had reviewed the information he presented from Visual Information Services Corp. regarding the electronic sign. Commissioner Jackson suggested buying the antique fire engine from the Department for $5,000.00 and mounting the sign on the engine.

Commissioner Jackson reminded the Board that they need to meet with SandPebble and, possibly, consider a capital improvement program.

Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that Chesterfield will be installing a 70’ wooden pole for the siren (10’ in the ground) and will be removing the old pole. The total cost will be $14,500.00. Integrated Wireless expects to complete their work by the end of October.

Commissioner Jackson also advised the Board that he had been in touch with AT&T and Uniden regarding the poor cell phone service in the building. They suggested a booster be installed in the building. Dennis (Integrated Wireless) advised that a booster would not work. Commissioner Jackson did a survey throughout building and submitted it to AT&T. They will review it and prepare a proposal.

Commissioner Jackson stated that the Department will be responsible for buying the shrink wrap for the antique truck and that Dave will apply it.

Commissioner Schaefer stated that flu shots will be offered again this year and that appointments will be made in advance and paperwork can be done on-line.

NEW BUSINESS

A motion was made by Commissioner Holley, seconded by Commissioner Matttera, accepting the probationary membership in the Department of Joshua Davonski and Chris Pinto. Approved 5-0.

A budget workshop was scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 7:30 p.m.

Commissioner Gregory reminded the First Assistant Chief that members need to let the dispatchers know, via electronics, that they are responding to alarms.

Commissioner Holley asked if the Ladies Auxiliary would be allowed to bring food to the drills. Mr. Glass stated that the COVID-19 rules apply to licensed establishments, which the Department is not, and suggested that we practice common sense.

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Holley, allowing up to twenty five (25) members to occupy the Firemen’s Room, with social distancing, and that fifty (50) members may attend drills, with social distancing. Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Holley, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, authorizing the expenditure of $2,800.00 for Fire Prevention material. Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of two (2) copies of the EMS and Fire Personnel, Legal Guide to NYS Town Law 2021 Updates, at a cost of $80.75. Approved 5-0.

At 9:25 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Holley, seconded by Commissioner Mattera, to adjourn the meeting. Approved 5-0.

Submitted by

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Lorraine Gregory, Secretary