COLTON FIRE DISTRICT
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2010
Present: Dennis Eickhoff, Paul Caster, David Crosby, Charles Wright, Jerome Wilson (arrived late), MJ Watson, Bill Smith, Donna Arquiett
Watson, temporary chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Town Clerk Arquiett administered the Oath of Office to newly elected commissioner, David Crosby.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that Dennis Eickhoff be appointed Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Colton Fire District for the year 2010. Eickhoff abstained. Carried by a vote of 4 to 0.
Caster moved and Wright seconded that the regular meetings of the Colton Fire District will be held on the second Thursday of each month, held at 7:00 p.m. at the Colton Fire Station, located at 89 Riverside Drive, Colton, NY 13625. There will be no meetings during July and August. The location and time of the meeting may be changed by further resolution of the Board of Fire Commissioners upon proper notification to the local media of such change. Carried Unanimously.
Crosby moved and Caster seconded that Mary Jane Watson be appointed secretary of the Colton Fire District. The secretary is also appointed the Public Information Officer of the Colton Fire District. The salary for this position is fixed at $1,500 per year. Carried Unanimously.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that Roger Linden of Cappello, Linden and Ladouceur be appointed attorney for the Colton Fire District for the year 2010. Carried Unanimously.
Caster moved and Wright seconded that the Courier Advance be designated the official newspaper of the Colton Fire District. This publication is in general circulation within the Colton Fire District. Carried Unanimously.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that the Colton Fire District will maintain membership in the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York (AFDSNY) and the Fireman's Association of the State of New York (FASNY). Carried Unanimously.
Crosby moved and Caster seconded that Community Bank be designated the official bank of the Colton Fire District. Carried Unanimously.
Caster moved and Wright seconded that the Treasurer of the Colton Fire District is authorized to pay in advance of an audit by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Colton Fire District utility payments to National Grid and telephone payments to Verizon. Such claims must be presented to the next meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Colton Fire District for audit. Carried Unanimously.
The Fire District Treasurer will present at the February meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners an accounting of all monies received and disbursed during the preceding year, and will produce all records, receipts, orders, vouchers and check images.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that the fire district treasurer is hereby authorized within sixty days after the end of the fiscal year to submit to this Board of Fire Commissioners a copy of the annual report required by General Municipal Law Section 30, in lieu of a written statement showing her receipts and disbursements for the preceding fiscal year. This authorization shall remain in effect until rescinded by this board of fire commissioners. Carried Unanimously.
The organizational meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
MJ Watson
COLTON FIRE DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 7, 2010
Present: Dennis Eickhoff, Paul Caster, David Crosby, Charles Wright, Jerome Wilson, MJ Watson, Bill Smith
Chairman Eickhoff called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that the minutes of the December meeting be approved. Carried Unanimously.
Wright moved and Crosby seconded that the 2009 year end bills in the amount of $2,670.33 and the January bills in the amount of $2,386.40 be approved for payment. Carried Unanimously.
Watson reviewed the 2010 financial statements with the Commissioners and provided a recap of the District's investment in the Pleasant Street (CR 58) property. Concern was expressed about a selling price. Since the District is a municipality it would be illegal to split any profit from the sale with the Church from whom the property was originally acquired. Father Ray has not been contacted yet regarding any other parties interested in purchasing the property when the Church had it for sale. At the February meeting, the District will possibly place the property in the hands of a realtor for immediate sale.
The locking mechanism on the front door to the Colton station has been repaired and is functioning correctly. There is currently a modem problem regarding the keys for Station 2 making it impossible to make any new keys. This will be corrected.
Wilson reported that the Colton furnace had run out of fuel and that when the tank was filled, sludge was stirred up plugging the filters. Wright Choice Heating cleaned the furnace, etc. and will do this on a yearly basis in the future. Wright does the town buildings also.
New commissioners must attend training within 270 days of taking office. The nearest training is in Watertown on May 15. The $ 125 fee will be paid at the February meeting and mileage will be reimbursed after attendance at the meeting.
Eickhoff handed out the recent newsletter to the Commissioners.
Caster moved and Wilson seconded that Michael McLean be approved as a member of the Colton Fire Department. Carried Unanimously.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that Alexandra Sochia be approved as a restricted active member to the Colton Fire Department. Carried Unanimously.
Watson to send letter notifying the Department of their acceptance to the Department.
Wright will work with a small group regarding a new fire station. Crosby will also work with the group. Bill Slater and Scott McRobbie had indicated their interest in participating in the group.
Wilson will contact North County Collision to repair R-16.
Smith reported that the trash pump has been installed on E81. Chad Crosby prepared a grant for the pump and received the grant for the pump. Concern was expressed about the town plowing in front of the fire station and potential problems with the doors opening. The Department is short members because OSHA training has not been completed. Training is a serious thing and if Department members don't do it, they become associate members. A lot of money has been spent on training materials and the Department needs to take a hard line but doing so will result in decreased membership. Members need to document all their training since scene safety, cone safety, fire police training, etc. counts.
Smith noted that the Department officers were considering a plan to cycle trucks in which a new truck would combine the features of two trucks. A lot of space in the station is now wasted. A new building could take a couple of years to complete. Having fewer trucks would decrease the space requirement. Eickhoff noted that the District had paid cash for its trucks since 1977. Since the District doesn't need two engines, the possibility of selling E81 could be considered.
Smith discussed the Certificates of Need that Potsdam ambulance is requesting from the Town. At this point, Colton Rescue does not feel that Potsdam rescue is needed except as back up to Colton. The Potsdam fly car (ALS) is needed as a first responder. If a certificate of need is signed to an ambulance other than Colton, Potsdam, which charges a fee for its services, could compete with Colton which does not charge a fee for its services. Potsdam is trying to expand its coverage area since they incurred a $40,000 loss last year. Eickhoff will obtain a copy of the bill that his uncle received from Potsdam Rescue last year. It is also possible that private ambulances, Lawrence and Seaway, could station an ambulance in Colton and respond to calls.
The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
MJ Watson