HARMONY FIRE DISTRICT

P.O. Box 360 – 194 Putnam Pike

Harmony, R.I.  02829

 

 

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board was held at the Harmony Fire Station on Thursday, November 20, 2007.

 

Present:            Chief Stuart Pearson; Moderator - Raymond Fogarty, Jr.;

            Tax Collector - Kimberly Barber; 

            Clerk - Ann Dahlquist; Attorney - Fred Mason, Jr.;

            Board Members - Louise Michaels & James Richards

                         

Absent:             Treasurer - Sandra Owens;

Board Members – Milton Huston & George Kain        

 

I. – Meeting Called to Order:  7:10 pm by Moderator Fogarty. 

 

II. - Approval of the minutes from the October 18th meeting. 

Moderator Fogarty asked the board if there were any discrepancies to note on the minutes from the October 18th meeting.  If not, he would like to call for a motion to accept them. 

 

Jim made a motion to accept the minutes.  Louise seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

III. - Treasurer’s Report:

No report to present, due to Sandy’s absence.

 

IV. - Tax Collector’s Report:

Taxes receivable balance is $110,302.32 as of today’s date.  Taxes collected in the month of

October were $3,303.11.  Third party billing monies collected in the month of October totaled $4,747.80.  Additionally we have received our quarterly car tax payment from state, in the amount of $8,379.88.

 

Kim stated that the past due tax notices were recently mailed out.  She also mentioned that Geoff Malo, our auditor, came in this week to start working on the financial statements for year-end June 30th 2007.

 

Louise made a motion to accept the tax collector’s report.  Jim seconded it.  The motion carried.

 

V. - Chief’s Report:

The Chief and Deputy Chief Segee met with Jeff Koledo of Fire-Dex regarding the turnout gear.  Went over the issue of wear and tear of the gear and the warranty.  Repairs and replacement of the gear will take place shortly.

 

Engine 21 was sent back to the American LaFrance factory in Hartford to have an electrical repair made.  Through negotiations with American LaFrance and Freightliner of New England it was decided that this was a manufacturers problem and the repair was made at no cost to the district. 

 

At the end of October the National Volunteer Fire Council held a convention in RI at which 46 states were represented.  The Chief attended several events that were held.  Captain John Lyman and the RI State Firemen’s League hosted a Steak Fry for this convention.

 

Also at the end of October, the Chief appeared on TV Channel 10 to present a segment on Halloween Safety Tips.

 

The Chief and Lieutenant DeConte attended the RI Forum on Aging on October 31st.  They were able to meet the individuals who handle the town of Glocester and address some issues and situations we have dealt with in the past.  It was a very interesting event that we want to get more people involved in as they schedule future meetings.

 

On November 5th and 6th the Chief attended a “School Emergency Preparedness Training” at the North Providence High School.  At this training the fire, police and school departments trained together to prepare for the event of a school emergency such as an active shooter.

 

As an IT update, we have purchased the battery backups for all three computers at the station.

 

The crew has completed the federally mandated training sessions on “Weapons of Mass Destruction.”  We are also working on the schedule for completing the “EMT Recertification Course.”

 

The Chief and Kim have been working on a couple of grants.  One is a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to purchase a Hazard House, a teaching tool targeted for the young and elderly.  The other is a grant sponsored by US Smokeless Tobacco in conjunction with Polaris.  This grant would be used to obtain a Polaris 4-wheel drive vehicle for the department.

 

A photo appeared in the Observer of Lieutenant Donna DeConte, aka Sparky.  It was taken while she was doing a presentation during ‘Fire Prevention Week’ at one of the area schools.

 

Also, HFD benefactor, Mrs. Gertrude Williams, passed away at the age of 88 years on November 6th.  Approximately four years ago Mrs. Williams donated $10,000 to the department.  These funds were used to purchase a light tower for Engine 22.  The Chief attended the calling hours and her sister was happy to see him there.  She pointed out a photo on the family remembrance collage of Mrs. Williams, the Chief and former Deputy Chief George Kain at the check presentation.  She expressed to the Chief her sister’s love of the fire department.

 

A thank you card was received from the Nichols family.  George and Linda Nichols, crew members, had their father pass away recently, at which time flowers were sent on behalf of the HFD Board.

 

Another thank you card was received from a Harmony resident, Mr. Kent Summerville, who was grateful for the wonderful care he received during a recent emergency call.

 

The Chief then made a reminder to the board about this coming Sundays ‘Christmas Tree Lighting’ here at the station.  Doors will open at 4:00 and Santa will be arriving at 5:00.

 

Also, please note the emergency exit signs that had been failing have been switched out to new, energy efficient LED signs. 

 

Jim made a motion to accept the chief’s report.  Louise seconded it.  The motion carried.

 

VI. - Committee Reports:

a.   Building Committee – none given

b.      Strategic Planning Committee – none given

 

VII. - Old Business:

Ray briefly went over the members for each of the 4 committees that are being established.  First the “Building Committee” – Milton, Deputy Chief, Private Marc Swartz and Private Willy Vota.  Second the “Strategic Plan Committee” – Louise, Captain Randy Brackett, Captain David Plante and Viviane Valentine.  Next the “Rescue Committee” – Jim, Captain Brackett, Lieutenant DeConte and Private Kevin Farley. Last the “Budget Committee” – George, Chief, Kim, Sandy and Ray.

 

Regarding the Rescue Committee and the purchase of the vehicle, Jim asked if we had any thoughts on the how to fund this purchase in July of 2009.  Currently we only have approximately $60,000.00 put aside for the rescue and its cost is estimated at well over $100,000.00.  Ray stated that this had been discussed at a prior meeting and the thoughts at that time were that we would be put another $30,000.00 aside in 2009, order the vehicle then to lock the price in, budget another $30,000.00 in 2010 and take delivery then.  We still might have to put more money in, but it should be pretty close.  We will have the value of the old rescue to consider as well, whether it be traded in or sold. 

 

The Chief stated that he has started talking to vendors about various ways to lower our purchase price, such as group purchasing with another fire department or a municipality.  Jim mentioned that a municipal lease program might be worth looking into as well.  He will try to get more information on this subject.  The general concensus of the board was that buying the rescue outright would be the better option though.

 

VIII. - New Business:

The Chief went over the upcoming recertification of all department EMT’s and how he is trying to reduce the costs as well as the hours required.

 

IX. - Public Input:  No one present.

 

X. – Executive Session:  None called.

 

 

 

 

XI. – Adjournment: 

Louise made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Jim seconded it.  The motion carried. 

The November meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board was adjourned at 7:40 pm.

 

·        Note:  No meeting will be held in December due to the holiday.

 

The next meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board

is scheduled for Thursday, 7:00 pm, January 17, 2008 at the Harmony Fire Department.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Kimberly S. Barber

Tax Collector/Secretary