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, March 20, 2008.

 

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

            Tax Collector - Kimberly Barber; Attorney - Fred Mason, Jr.;

            Board Members - Louise Michaels, James Richards & Milton Huston

                         

Absent:             Treasurer - Sandra Owens; Clerk - Ann Dahlquist;

                        Board Member - George Kain

 

I. – Meeting Called to Order:  7:07 pm by Moderator Fogarty. 

 

II. - Approval of the minutes from the February 27th meeting. 

Moderator Fogarty asked the board if there were any discrepancies to note on the minutes from the

February 27th 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:

Due to Sandy’s absence there was no treasurer’s report made.

 

IV. - Tax Collector’s Report:

Taxes receivable balance is $79,647.28 as of today’s date.  Taxes collected in the month of

February were $4,090.97.  Third party billing monies collected in the month of February totaled $9,266.90.  Additionally, a quarterly car tax payment from the state, in the amount of $8,379.88 was received.   

 

Kim reports that it has been business as usual in the tax collector’s office.

 

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

 

V. - Chief’s Report:

The department participated in a Career Day held at the Ponagansett High School on 2/29.  This was done in conjunction with the Foster Ambulance Corps.

 

The Chief met with Chief Beausoliel of the North Smithfield Fire Department to go over their procedure for cisterns.  He felt after reviewing the information presented that we actually better prepared than they are.  He actually brought to their attention several liability items that they had overlooked.  What has been resolved to be done here in Harmony is to have the deed recorded in the builders name with a $25,000.00 bond attached.  We would be required to sign off on cistern, some time in the future, before the bond money could be released back to the builder.

 

George Kain has been released from the hospital.  He had surgery a week ago and now has to go through a six to eight week recuperation period.  He is feeling much better though.

 

The Chief attended an informational meeting at the Lincoln town hall regarding a FEMA grant currently open pertaining to the Fire Act.  Kim and he are working on submitting a grant.

 

The department was issued an EMS Pride award from the Department of Health for its part in a multi department rescue call.  Other departments involved were Oakland-Mapleville, Nasonville and Harrisville.

 

A service call was made by Air Cleaning Specialists of NE to repair the Plymovent clean air system.

 

We also had National Fire Safety Service come in to go over the door buzzer issue.  We would like to have a buzzer attached to the entry doors that would sound throughout the building when someone enters.  It is a safety concern that we’re trying to address since we have had some instances with people wandering around in the building unknown to people in other parts of the building.

 

The chief has also been working with the Cape Cod Radio Company trying to resolve some issues with the radio towers.  We think it may be water getting into the wiring.

 

A donation to the district for $1,000.00 has been received from Mr. & Mrs. David Kilmartin.  A thank you card was sent to them for their generosity.

 

The Chief and Kim have met with three cleaning companies to get quotes for their service.  We have again contacted Jani-King, our current cleaning company, to address the poor service we are receiving, and they are sending someone to meet with us tomorrow morning.  We will have more information to present to the board at a later date.

 

The Chief made a request to transfer funds in the amount of $6,500.00 in order to pay for the purchase of a new flag pole, as well as hosting the Firemen’s Memorial Parade. 

 

Milton made a motion to transfer $6,500.00 from the Vehicle Maintenance account to the Building & Grounds Maintenance account.  Louise seconded it.  The motion carried.

 

The Chief also asked on behalf of the association for permission from the board for them to use the annual meeting sign.  It would be used to advertise the upcoming Ham and Bean Supper fundraiser.  Permission was granted.

 

A thank you card and $25.00 donation was also received from a family grateful for our service at a rescue call for their teenage son.  The donation was forwarded to the association.

 

We have received a letter of request for $667.00 from the Glocester Little League to fund the joint purchase of an AED.  If purchased they plan to train all of their coaches in its operation.  The equipment is to be stored at Acotes Field.

 

Louise made a motion to fund $667.00 towards the joint AED purchase by all three of the Glocester fire districts for the Glocester Little League.  The funds are to be taken from the donation made by Mr. and Mrs. David Kilmartin.  Jim seconded it.  The motion carried.

 

The Chief made the board aware of an upcoming trip he will be taking to Washington, DC from April 2nd through the 4th.  It will be made at no expense to the district since he is being sponsored by the New England Association of Fire Chiefs.  While there he will meet with representatives from our area to lobby for grant monies and support.

 

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

 

VI. - Committee Reports:

a.)     Building Committee – The Chief presented an updated sketch of the kitchen renovation prepared by Aharonian & Associates.  A question regarding the removal of the serving window was addressed.  Ray asked that the sketch be posted in the building for public comment.  He also asked the committee members present to inquire from the association regarding how much money, if anything, they were interested in contributing to the project.  Additionally, he thought the next step in this project should be to put it out to bid as soon as possible, in order to establish an amount to figure into next year’s budget.  The Chief asked for permission to go ahead with the upgrade to the hood and vent system now, in order to bring it into compliance with the fire code.   He was given the go ahead by the board to proceed.

 

b.)    Strategic Planning Committee – Meeting to be held upon adjournment of this meeting.

 

VII. - Old Business:  Addressed throughout reports.

 

VIII. - New Business:  Addressed throughout reports.

 

IX. - Public Input:  No comments made.

 

X. – Executive Session:  None called.

 

XI. – Adjournment: 

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

The March meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board was adjourned at 7:43 pm.

 

The next meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board

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

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

C:\Documents and Settings\Kim\My Documents\MY SCANS\Signature - Kimberly S. Barber.jpg

 

Kimberly S. Barber

Tax Collector/Secretary