Fly Creek
Board of Fire Commissioners
P O Box 218
Fly Creek, NY 13337
March 14, 2007
Present: Richard Carr, Mark Weir, Wolf Merk, Edward Kukenberger, Margaret Wolff, Elizabeth Staffin treasurer, Claire Kepner secretary.
At 7:05 PM Chair Richard Carr led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the January 10, 2007 meeting were read. a motion to accept the corrected minutes was made by Wolf Merk and seconded by Ed Kukenberger. The motion was carried. In the bills the line should have read “Chief,” A company providing fire police supplies, not Chief Al Thayer.
Treasurers report:
February 2007
Checking Balance Forward $ 3570.80
Jan 14 Interest 1.24
Deposits Illinois CD 42710.36
Marv lite 89.99
FEMA 3561.53
Illinois Interest 55.32
2007 Tax 93,065.00
Less Bills Paid (10,095.90)
Current Balance 132,958.34
MBIA General Balance Forward $109,583.09
Interest 437.32
Current Balance 10,050.41
2% Account Balance forward 1889.02
Interest 7.28
Balance 1904.35
March 2007
Checking Balance Forward $132,958.34
2/14 interest 12.65
Less Bills Paid (13,642.03)
Current Balance $119,328.96
MBIA General Fund
Balance Forward $110,050.41
Interest 426.36
Current Balance $110,476.77
2% Account balance forward $ 1897.07
Interest 7.28
Balance 1904.35
The treasurer’s report was accepted after motions by Ed Kukenberger and Margaret Wolff.
Mark Weir made the motion to transfer the remainder of $377.41 from the 2% account to the Fire Company. The motion was second by Margaret Wolff and carried.
Bills paid February 21, 2007:
Herman Fire Equipment 514.01
Advanced Fire Protection Co 404.00
Margaret Wolff (patches and hats) 605.22
National Pastime (jackets) 740.00
Creative electronics 12.50
Ace Haggerty Hardware 84.37
Bruce HALL Corp 48.26
Copy shop Plus 34.67
Fly Creek Postmaster (box rent) 46.00
Bassett Healthworks 680.00
Verizon 133.46
Mirabito Fuel 1089.57
NAPA Auto Parts 42.26
Garrison Fire & Rescue 620.40
Town of Otsego (fuel) 189.43
Galls 26.40
Time Warner Cable 49.95
Action Garage Doors 415.98
Hughson & Benson Assoc (INS) 7905.55
Total 13,642.03
Bills paid March 14, 2007
Time Warner 49.95
Mirabito Fuel 626.87
Verizon 67.81
Hughson & Benson Insurance 600.00
Town of Otsego - fuel 86.26
Richfield Auto Supply 25.53
Kehoe & Merzig - retainer 1000.00
Creative Electronics 89.00
Williams Tire 7 Auto 1374.00
NYSEG 587.56
Garrison 616.37
Maziuk (locks) 35.41
Otsego Co Solid Waste 27.00
McQuade & Bannigan 93.88
NAPA 24.57
Heinman 2112.70
Donna Mulford (kitchen supplies) 263.88
Dept of State (Yearly pay) 6415.00
A motion to pay the bills was made by Mark Weir and second by Ed Kukenberger, carried.
Chief’s report:
Alan Thayer reported work has been done on truck 15, the water tank was redone. Truck 96 blew hydraulics, was fixed and taken out for a run during which a gasket was blown, all has now been fixed.
There are two new Junior members, Jackie Wilson and Rob Buzie. Both are attending regular drills.
There have been twelve calls since the first of January.
Chief Thayer has been requested by Cooperstown Fire Department to help with coverage during the Hall of Fame events. Wolf Merk mentioned there will be strategy meetings with Cooperstown for planning and stated anyone who wants to attend may do so, he will keep everyone updated.
The By-Laws of the First Responders, Fire Police and Fire Company are being worked on and will hopefully be completed by next month.
Ed Kukenberger made a motion to accept the report, Margaret Wolff second, carried.
No first responder squad officers were present, therefore no report was given.
Fire Police Report:
Marvin Mulford advised the commissioners eight members have completed Fire Police School. they are: James Wolff, John Phillips, Vinny Ruggeri, Betty Staffin, Ed Kukenberger, Jerry Allison, Wes Ciampo, and George Hymas. All have received Certificates.
One of the Junior members, Jackie Wilson, is working with the Fire Police.
The Otsego County fire fighters Convention will be August 17, 18, and 19 at Hartwick. There is to be a banquet at the fire hall, tractor pulls and a dance with a band, and also an event that would be similar to a drill.
The New York State Firemen’s Convention will be held at Old Forge.
Butch Jones, OC1, advised Marv that the Fire County services budget was almost 100% of the amount requested and That money will be invested in courses and training.
OC2, Kevin Ritten, had a class on communications at which he presented a video taken from a helicopter during last summer’s floods.
The last meeting was held at Cherry Valley and the next County fire Police meeting will be held here in fly creek.
Margaret Wolff made a motion to accept the fire police squad report, second by Mark Weir, Carried.
Auxiliary Report:
Donna Mulford stated the Dept. of Health has given their approval for use of the kitchen.
A pancake breakfast will be held on March 18th with help needed for set-up on Saturday and clean up on Sunday.
The food bank was here this morning and the surplus was available for anyone to take.
The Fly Creek Philharmonic requested the Fire Company Auxiliary provide refreshments for their Saturday, March 17th performance. Donations are needed.
Matt Lionetti was thanked for building the corner cupboard in the kitchen for the oven.
Ed Kukenberger motioned to accept the auxiliary report, second by Margaret Wolff and Passed.
Other Reports
Grants Update: Two new grants are being worked on. Jim Wolff is applying for one to FEMA for dry hydrants and buried water tanks. the other is being pursued by Rich Carr for a grant from the Scriven foundation in the amount of $175,000 for a 2000 gallon tanker.
Ed Kukenberger made a motion to allow Jim Wolff to pursue grants, second by Margaret Wolff and carried.
Jim Wolff reported he has received a letter from Congressman Arcuri in support of pursuing the FEMA grant for smoke alarms.
Rich Carr gave an update on the building. Kevin Preston wired the oven and outlet in the bay for the welder. The overhead doors have been repaired.
Mark Weir wants to pursue cost of automatic openers for the doors. The door on the far side of the building needs to be fixed.
Rich Carr has received a letter about the Safe Deposit box denying knowledge of possession of the key to the box. The other letter was returned because of refusal to accept by the addressee. Mark Weir is to arrange having it drilled out. It will cost about $200 and we will take the issue to small claims court to retrieve the money.
Mr. Carr contacted the Insurance carrier and the rebate should be mailed in late summer.
Chair Richard Carr made the motion to allocate MBIA Funds.
Operating Fund $70,000.00
Capital Reserve Fund 40,000.00
Building Reserve Fund 50,000.00
Truck Reserve Fund 40,000.00
Equipment Fund 25,000.00
Communication Fund 5,000.00
Margaret Wolff made a motion to establish fund allocations of the MBIA account. this motion does not prevent the transfer of the funds from one fund to another. Second by Mark Weir and carried.
No Old Business
New Business:
Wolf Merk mentioned that if bingo is to be a fund raiser, as proposed in the January minutes, a gaming license must be obtained.
All ID tags to date have been completed and if any are needed, let Wolf know ASAP. Margaret Wolff made a motion to donate $100.00 to the Cooperstown emergency Squad for doing the ID tags, second by Mark Weir, carried.
A committee of Mark Weir and Wolf Merk has been formed to retrieve the memorabilia, trophies, gear etc. David Merzig will be assisting them on that project.
Mark Weir made the motion to cut the siren down from 10 to 3 cycles for a fire call, Margaret Wolff second, carried.
Mr. Blessin, a member of the community in attendance, suggested we get NYSEG to get a reading for the AMP usage of the siren. Mark Weir is to pursue.
Betty Staffin mentioned a mailing she received about videos for training. Margaret Wolff made a motion to purchase these three videos at $15.00 each for a total of $45.00, second by Ed Kukenberger, carried.
Claire Kepner mentioned an exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum pertaining to firefighting.
George Hymas questioned his reimbursement of $25.00 for a course he took and for which he submitted a bill to which he was advised that it would be taken care of ASAP.
Public Comment:
Margaret Wolff announced that seven emergency squads will be presented quilts for their ambulances. These are to be given out to children for comfort. Casey Campbell will cover the presentation for the newspaper.
Marvin Mulford suggested that when applying for the grant for the tanker to consider a vacuum type tanker.
Wolf Merk made a motion to adjourn, second by Ed Kukenberger, carried at 8:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Claire Kepner