COLTON FIRE DISTRICT COMMISIONER MEETING September 9, 2010
Present: Dennis Eickhoff, Charles Wright, Dave Crosby, Jerry Wilson, Paul Caster, MJ Watson Guest: Judy Filarecki
Eickhoff called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Wilson moved and Crosby seconded that the minutes of the June 3, 2010 meeting be approved. Carried Unanimously.
Caster moved and Wright seconded that the following bills be approved: June early bills $ 960.55 July total bills 15,608.41 August total bills 1,061.55 September regular bills 6,167.21 Carried Unanimously.
Eickhoff reported that he had again contacted M&T in an attempt to get the address changed to PO Box 238 since the reports are currently coming to the Department’s box, PO Box 304.
Roger LaPierre of RSI Roofing apologized for dropping the ball on the South Colton station roof. Wright and Eickhoff will investigate the possibility of putting a slope on the roof. Crosby wanted to consider if this building was needed. Wright informed him that there would be a station maintained in South Colton.
Caster moved and Crosby seconded that Benjamin Johnson be approved for membership in the department. Carried Unanimously.
Wright reported that the lights at the South Colton station had been repaired and the jaws on R33 had also been repaired. The old Dodge has not been repaired yet.
The new Canton Potsdam Hospital forms have been given to Marta Whalen for potential members to take to the hospital for testing.
National Grid has announced a small business plan cost savings plan. The Commissioners agreed to follow through with them.
Crosby reported that Chad Crosby had just dropped off the information on the cascade system. Tyler of Elmira bid $28,899 and Safair bid $33,000. The recent grant will pay 80% of the cost while the District pays the remaining 10%. Crosby moved and Caster seconded that Tyler be awarded the contract. Carried Unanimously.
Crosby reported that the building committee, aka Needs Assessment Committee, recommended an 8,000 sq ft building similar to the Bangor station. Whether the District needs a dining hall is still questionable. Crosby reported a mixed community reaction with Scott McRobbie reporting 5-1 in favor and Crosby reporting 5-1 against. The survey to Department members indicated 15 in favor of the dining hall who were willing to work in it while 5 indicated they were against the dining hall and they were not willing to work in it. Wilson indicated that if there is no dining hall, the proposal would lack community report. Crosby noted that the Riverside Drive property had space for about 86 parking spots without a dining hall and 74 parking spaces if a 200 person dining hall is added. When Ward cleared the Clark property a large concrete slab was discovered that had a foundation 8 feet deep. Watson mentioned that this was the ammunition bunker from the old Clark gun shop. Crosby also mentioned that Karen Spellacy owns the old Ames property with a lot size of 75’x 300’ and that she would be willing to sell it to the District. If this property is acquired, parking would not be an issue. There are pluses and minuses for both the Riverside Drive and the CR58 properties. Crosby asked everyone to bring specific questions to the next meeting with a decision being made at the November meeting about what direction to pursue. Wilson indicated that the commissioners and department officers needed to sit down together to reach agreement. Crosby suggested that a meeting be held with the Department’s executive committee to discuss the transfer of the two Department owned Riverside Drive parcels to the District. Eickhoff will pursue.
Because of Wright’s work hours and his difficulty in getting to the bank to sign documents during regular banking hours, Caster moved and Wilson seconded that Crosby be the third signatory on the bank accounts.
The Commissioners reviewed the tentative budget. Caster moved and Wright seconded that it be approved. Carried Unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
MJ Watson