Gilford Fire-Rescue
Board of Fire Engineers
20 November 2009
The Board of Fire Engineers met in regular session on Tuesday, 20 November 2009 at 39 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, New Hampshire.
Present: Chairman William Akerley, Engineer Philip Brouillard, Engineer Don Spear, Chief James Hayes, Deputy John Beland, Capt. Michael Balcom, FF. Thomas Aselton, Inspector Dana Pendergast and Executive Secretary Catherine M. Reitz.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 0834 hours.
I. Salute to the Flag: All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
II Adoption of Minutes: Minutes of 20 October 2009 meeting were reviewed, motion to accept and were approved. Motion carried.
At this point in the meeting, Chief Hayes introduced Forest Ranger Lee Gardner who awarded Special service pins to several staff members for their positions as Fire Wardens for the State of NH. They are:
Chief Hayes – Special Warden Gold Pin 26-years
Deputy Beland – Deputy Warden 26-years
FF. Aselton – Deputy Warden 26-years
Retired FF. David Poole – Deputy Warden 21-years
FF. Scott Mooney – Deputy Warden 17-years
Lt. Frank Latosek – Deputy Warden 21-years
Lt. Richard Andrews – Deputy Warden 16 years
All were applauded and congratulated on their awards. Ranger Gardner was also congratulated on is pending retirement.
III. Budget Review:
A. 2009 Budget: The budget year-to-date was reviewed. Chief Hayes estimates that with vacations previously approved prior to the restrictions placed on Leave Requests, in addition to call backs and vacation buy-outs, the Overtime Account will be over expended by approximately $21K. The balance in other line accounts will cover these overages. With the approval of the Board of Fire Engineers, Chief Hayes will pen a letter to the Board of Selectmen informing them of this status. Non emergency purchases will be less than $10K over.
B. 2010 Budget:
1. 2010 Operating Budget: Deputy Beland was commended for his presentation during the Budget Hearing. The Fire-Rescue Budget Sub-Committee of Dick Hickok, Dale Dormody and Mark Covey were helpful. The entire budget was approved the first night. No action was proposed at the second hearing held last evening. The Earned Sick Bonus has been eliminated from the 2010 budget to make up for the 28% increase in health care funding. Chief Hayes explained that the Town needs to fund and extra $100K for January-July 2010 and another $100K from July – December 2010 for health insurance. The Public Session will be held in January with the Deliberative Session scheduled for February.
IV. Personnel:
V. Apparatus & Equipment:
A. Pump Testing: Lakes Region Fire Apparatus completed all pump testing (and repairs).
B. Boat 1: The Fire Boat will be taken from the Lake 28 November. The boat trailer has been rebuilt.
C. Forestry 1: The electrical sensor to the injector on the Forestry was repaired.
D. Car 2: The corrosion was repaired and re-lettering is scheduled.
E. Utility 1: Chief Hayes recommended repairs to the corrosion on the cab and body; however the Board’s consensus was, due to the current budget constraint, to postpone these repairs until next year. The Chief’s concerned was that if these repairs aren’t made soon, the deterioration of the Utility may be too extensive and therefore the pick-up may need to be replaced sooner than expected.
VI. Training:
A. Deputy’s Report:
Call Company Firefighters Andrew Micu, William Beaupre, Heidi Beaulac and Martin Barrett passed the Firefighter II written and practical exams. Firefighter Jason DeCoff is excelling stimulatingly in both EMT and Firefighter I courses. Firefighter Michael Thevenin is at the top of his Paramedic class.
The 2010 Permanent Training scheduled is in process and Call Company schedule has been set.
Three Call Company members interviewed in Salem, NH for two firefighter openings there.
Several members are enrolled in EMT-I courses.
Our Incident numbers are on par with 2008; some departments have seen major decreases in activity.
VII. Fire Prevention:
Meredith Village Savings Bank approved $5K grant to fund the Training Facility with the stipulation that the fund raising goal is met. As another funding source, a Pancake Breakfast will be held at the Fire Station on 5 December to coincide with the GHS Annual Craft Fair.
VIII. Other Business:
Engineer Brouillard thanked the Department for the sympathy on the passing of his Secretary.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 0946 hours.
Respectfully submitted:
Catherine M. Reitz
Catherine M. Reitz
Executive Secretary
Preliminary Subject to Board Approval
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