COLTON FIRE DISTRICT COMMISIONER MEETING APRIL 8, 2010
Present: Dennis Eickhoff, Paul Caster, Charles Wright, Jerry Wilson, Dave Crosby, Bill Smith, Bill Slater, MJ Watson
Chairman Eickhoff called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Wilson moved and Caster seconded that the minutes of the March meeting be approved. Carried Unanimously.
Crosby moved and Caster seconded that the contract for asbestos testing be awarded to Atlantic Testing Lab for a maximum of $2,595 per building, or a maximum total of $ 5,590. The maximum amount will only apply if 80 samples are taken. Carried Unanimously.
Bids were opened for the removal of the two Clark buildings:
Mike Ward - proposal included demolition, hauling of debris to Potsdam, tipping fee, and regarding of the site. $ 4,500
Dean Green - demolition and regarding (did not include hauling and tipping fee) 6,500
Fisher Home Builders - included top soil and seeding 7,950
Crosby moved and Wilson seconded that the contract be awarded to Ward. Carried Unanimously. Ward will be asked to provide certificate of insurance. Once the demolition is completed, the board will review top soil and seeding with him at that time.
Crosby expressed concern about the ongoing problem with pagers. Wilson is working on the reception problems encountered and needs an individual assessment whether the pagers work. By the next meeting an effort will be made to determine whether all the pagers work. Additional pagers will be purchased if needed. One possible problem is that there are two tones-rescue and fire. Some pagers get both calls. There is also a possible problem with the White Hill tower. Wilson will continue working on.
Wright reported that G&J will be here on April 13 at 9 a.m. to check all the fire extinguishers. Caster to let them in.
The South Colton station roof needs to be replaced. Caster moved and Crosby seconded that the roof be replaced. Wilson moved and Caster seconded that the Board advertise for bids. Watson will pursue RFP process.
The lighting at the South Colton station is still a problem. S&L has looked at them and will be asked to prepare an estimate by the May meeting to redo the lights using only one photo eye. Smith to contact S&L.
Eickhoff reported that he attended the Consolidation and Dissolution conference. The Commissioners might want to pursue getting rid of the Outside Fire Protection district and expand the actual fire district to the town limits. Under a new law, a town cannot force the dissolution of a fire district.
The issue of Safair has not been resolved as yet. Tyler is the Scott rep locally and is employed by Potsdam. The bottles may have to be handled in phases. Eickhoff will pursue.
Caster moved, Wright seconded that Angelique Angelberger and Terry Leininger be approved as Associate Members. Carried Unanimously. Watson to notify the Department.
Dr. Baltazar has requested clarification if she should be doing pulmonary tests on new department members. Slater recommended contacting Mike White for his recommendation. If a fireman carries an air pack, he should have a pulmonary function test.
Smith reported that truck equipment check lists were started in February and for the most part were being done. Smith will continue monitoring the check lists.
Garrison Fire Equipment will be contacted to determine if the jaws on R33 were fixable.
Discussion followed concerning whether associate and RAM members could march. Uniforms would be needed for the RAM members if they march with the Department. Currently both RAM members are in the CPCS band and would probably march with the band rather than the Department.
Smith to discuss with the Department officers whether the jaws should be replaced, fixed, or even if two sets are needed. Parishville is interested in purchasing a used Humatro set and the Department could consider selling the extra set. R16 is on the road in the event of any accident.
The lights for the trucks are still on the desk and have not yet been installed on each truck as originally intended. Wells installed the radios and lights on R16 but problems were encountered initially. R16 currently has no power to the siren and someone needs to check it out. The closest truck repair places are Tyler, Jerome and Northern Fire in Watertown. A repair person needs to come to the station. The lights should go on the trucks (16, 81, 88) that have charging systems in them. Caster moved and Wilson seconded that the lights be installed and R16 be fixed. The Department will handle this. Carried Unanimously.
Updated cribbing is needed for the rescue truck and the Department is looking at collapsible cribbing. Smith will get more information. The vehicles need cribbing at accident scenes.
Amplifiers for the Scott Air Masks are needed. Caster moved, Wilson seconded that 6 be ordered at a cost of $320 each. Carried Unanimously. Smith will order them.
Slater reported that the fire pump had been fixed for the board and just needs to be picked up. Heat shields were added to protect the bottom of the boat. The pump is a VW Beetle motor. A VHF Marine radio is needed also. Discussion followed regarding a place to put the boat on Higley for the summer. The Department officers will meet and determine a location for it. The District owns a 40' dock.
The new mutual aid program is working nicely with Pierrepont. Colton and Pierrepont are currently working as one department.
The Truck Committee has met with Chris Castle who saw no problem in combining a rescue and engine in one vehicle. In that case E10 and E16 could be sold possibly for $100,000. A heavier vehicle would have more storage capacity.
The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, MJ Watson