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 19, 2009.

 

Present:            Chief Stuart Pearson; Treasurer - Sandra Owens;

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

            Board Members - Louise Michaels & James Richards                          

 

Absent:             Moderator - Raymond Fogarty, Jr.; Clerk - Ann Dahlquist;

                        Board Members - Milton Huston & George Kain

 

I. – Meeting Called to Order:  7:18 pm by substitute Moderator Louise Michaels, who stood in for Raymond Fogarty during his absence. 

 

II. - Approval of the minutes from the October 15th meeting. 

Louise, under advisement from Attorney Mason, tabled the vote for the minutes from the October 15th meeting, due to the lack of a quorum.

 

III. - Treasurer’s Report:

Sandy presented her report for the months of August and September.  Beginning balance August 1st $267,632.18 and the ending balance September 30th $575,645.30.    These figures reflect a huge intake of property tax payments in August and September.  Third party billing in August and September totaled almost $18,000.  A quarterly car tax payment was also received in September.

 

Payments for this period were fairly routine.  The insurance bill was $25,428 in August.  In September there were no expenses out of the ordinary to report.

 

The vote was tabled for the treasurer’s report.

 

IV. - Tax Collector’s Report:

Taxes receivable balance as of today’s date is $150,350.48.   Taxes collected in the month of

October were $14,141.85. 

 

Per Milton’s request at our last meeting, Kim prepared a 3 year tax payment analysis as of October 28th each year.  In 2009 – 80% of the tax levy was collected.  In 2008 – 78% of the tax levy was collected.  In 2007 – 82% of the tax levy was collected.  The slight changes in due dates each year probably explain the 1 or 2% differences each year.  The past due portion is much slower to collect however, but it is not effecting our cash flow.

 

Sandy asked how much of the taxes receivable balance due would be up for tax sale this year.  Kim said anyone owing amounts from tax year 2007 would be on the list.  So, according to the trial balance dated 10/28/09, the total amount due for 2007 is approximately $25,000.  Sandy asked when Kim was planning to hold the next tax sale.  She stated in August, the same as last year. 

 

The vote was tabled for the Tax Collector’s report.

 

V. - Chief’s Report:

First the Chief displayed a plaque the department had received again this year from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for our members fundraising efforts on their behalf in September.

 

October is Fire Prevention Month and once again this year our crew members volunteered their time to help educate our town’s school children.  They combined their efforts with Chepachet and West Glocester Fire Departments and presented programs to all grade levels at the various schools and pre-schools within the town of Glocester.

 

The district has an ongoing issue with Arrow Gas Company.  We had received a very large bill from them that prompted research of the account.  We found a discrepancy between our past usage and delivery amounts, compared to what they were currently billing and also discovered we were being overcharged per gallon.  We are now looking into obtaining the services of another gas company.

 

At the beginning of the month the Chief attended the quarterly meeting of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs in Springfield, MA.  He is a committee member for the Strategic Plan of this association.

 

Also in November the Chief attended the International Association of Fire Chiefs Symposium in the Sun held in Clearwater, FL.  This event is for volunteer and combination fire chiefs to present their thoughts and ideas on topics such as recruitment and retention, as well as various tactics and strategies.  It was a very rewarding event, in the fact that it made him feel as though, as a department, we are ahead of the game or on track in planning for the future.

 

The Chief also attended the Providence County H1N1 Conference.  This event was held to discuss pandemic preparation and the status of the virus.  Right now we are described as being in the 4th of the 4 anticipated peaks and valleys.  As of October 31st the numbers were listed as going down 2.8%, which is a continued decline.  This shows that the inoculations are working so far.  No one in our department has been affected yet.  If someone should be, we would have to submit an exposure report to the state of RI.

 

Engine 21 went out for repair Tuesday morning and was brought back in service today.  Engine 23 had been out for quite some time, but is also up and running now.

 

Our new rescue is on order.  We have received the final drafts of the drawings for the committee to review.  The committee will then sit down with the company we are purchasing the vehicle from, to submit our final approvals.  The Chief will be getting Sandy the OEM #, the purchasing number listed on the chassis, so she can issue payment for the chassis when it is received.  Sandy asked about how much this payment would be?  Neither the Chief or Jim was sure, but they would get the amount for her.  Sandy stated that she has enough cash available on hand that it should not be a problem. 

 

This coming Tuesday the Chief has a meeting with the Fire Chiefs of Glocester and Burrillville to discuss events affecting both communities.

The new Kubota RTV has been received and is out on the apparatus floor for the board members to take a look at.

 

A commendation has been received from the RI State Police.  This is in regards to the assistance we provided during search and rescue efforts for the missing Glocester Police Officer Michael Hopton.  The commendation passed around the table for the board to review.

 

Additionally, a thank you was received from the Superintendent of Glocester Schools, Patricia Dubois.  This was in regards to our response to a school bus accident that occurred on October 19th.

 

Upcoming Events:

The historian we had worked with, Betty Mencucci, has completed the 1st of her 2 part DVD series on the history of the Town of Glocester.  Part 1, which includes the Harmony Fire Department, will be shown at the Town Hall on Sunday, November 11th at 3:00 pm.  The DVD runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes and will also be available for purchase.

 

Our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as always, but from 4:00 to 6:00 pm with Santa arriving at 5:00 pm.  Everyone is invited to come!

 

The vote was tabled for the Chief’s report.

 

VI. – Harmony Fire Department & Improvement Association Report:

There has been no progress made on the internet issue discussed at our last meeting.

 

The vote was tabled for the Association’s report.

 

VII. - Committee Reports:

a.       Rescue Committee – Jim, Chair

Already addressed in the Chief’s report.  Mark Hooper has quoted that 90 days after receiving the chassis, we will receive the rescue.

b.      Call Pay Review – George, Chair

No new information.

 

VIII. - Old Business: 

a.       Charter & By-Laws Review

No new information.

b.      Policies & Procedures Manual

No new information.

 

IX. - New Business: 

Kim informed the board that she will have new 2010 meeting calendars ready at the next meeting.

 

X. - Public Input:  No audience.

 

XI. – Executive Session:  None called.

 

 

XII. – Adjournment: 

The November 19th meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board was Recessed at 7:30 pm.  The meeting will resume and votes will be taken at the next regular monthly meeting.

 

NO MEETING IN DECEMBER – Merry Christmas!

 

The next meeting of the Harmony Fire District Executive Board

is scheduled for Thursday, 7:00 pm, January 21, 2010 at the Harmony Fire Department.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Kimberly S. Barber

Tax Collector/Secretary