Lagrange Fire District Special/Workshop. September 27, PM Firehouse 3

Transcription

1 Lagrange Fire District 4629 Special/Workshop September 27, PM Firehouse 3 The 884 th meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Lagrange Fire District was held on September 27, 2008 at 2 PM at Firehouse #3. Present were commissioners Mulford, Zeidan, Smith, Hines, Lantzky; Chief Jim Dawson; Assistant Chief Barry Ward; and firefighters. Secretary Holzberger was absent. Mulford called the meeting to order and led the salute to the flag. Assistant Chief Barry Ward set up the projector. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that we did not account for Deputy Chief s departure costs. Mulford stated that we have funds for that; we keep that in a certificate (approx.$330,000). Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that we need to budget for that deduction so that we are not short later. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that you need to replenish. Mulford stated that the payout would be two-thirds of his accrued sick time. Assistant Chief Barry Ward explained that you will have to replace some funds because you are not putting away each year the full amount. Smith asked for the floor and stated that he spoke with other members of the Board and his opinion is that a motion be made that we do the work at Station Two as planned, that we hire a planner and we place the funds in the budget for two EMTS and put funds in the budget for a business manager at a salary of up to $90,000 plus benefits and we buy two ambulances and keep both of these ambulances for reserve and for the fire police and place $100,000 in the Building Reserve as a just In case. Smith stated that this is his opinion and is looking for a second to this motion, and discussion if any. Hines seconded the motion. Mulford stated that he would like to lay down some ground rules that everyone will have two minutes to state the his view. Lantzky stated that he would support having more funds and if we do not

2 4630 use the funds that would be less funds needed for the following year s budget. Smith stated that we need a planner to see where we are going. Smith stated that he supports hiring two part time EMTS as opposed to the four discussed at a previous meeting. Hines asked if two EMTs would provide us the coverage we need. Assistant Chief Barry Ward asked if that was two part time or full time EMT s to resolve the issues we discussed. Lantzky stated that he feels that it could be a location problem for 47-71; if we move the ambulance to ST 2 and the situation does not improve than we have a volunteer problem and then at least the part time EMT s could cover the weekends. Mulford stated that only one EMT would be on at a time. Smith stated that he would go for hiring two part time EMTs not four. Smith stated that we should just put the money in the budget. Zeidan stated that he appreciates what you are trying to do, however he hasa to oppose as he feels that it will cause a rift between the volunteers and the career staff. Zeidan stated that in his opinion, he would like to see the Chief Officers talk to the members at Station 1 to try to resolve this problem by explaining that unless the ambulance gets out, it will be moved to Station2. Zeidan stated that having the part time EMTs does not guarantee that the ambulance calls won t go to second or third call and then we will have to hire more; uniforms will have to be purchased and retirement costs. Zeidan stated that this will wind up costing us more than we planned. Zeidan stated that he opposes the hiring of a business manager, he is not saying we do not need one, however, we can wait another year; we need a deputy chief first. Zeidan stated that we still have to pay the current deputy chief s salary. As far as the renovation upstairs at Station 2, Zeidan stated that he knows some things are needed such as bay doors have to be fixed; if we are employing a planner then we should wait to see what his recommendation is before spending $185,000. Zeidan stated that bedrooms could be created in the exercise room. The budget will go up this year and next year, we should not put that burden on the taxpayer. Mulford stated our job is to provide cost effective fire and EMS (service) to the Town. Smith stated that if you don t put it in the budget and you need it you will

3 4631 be screwed. Mulford stated that we can move the ambulance to Station2 and we will try to get it out; when we put the ambulance out at Station 1 they said they would get it out and it is not happening. One part time EMT on will not do it; you will need two. Smith stated that he knows that if you cut the budget too low, speaking from experience it will be out of control next year before you even begin. We had tax cutters come in here in previous years and cut the budget to 2.9% and we all remember this and the next year our increase was 25%. Smith stated that nobody should be so stupid to do that again, and that is his opinion. Mulford stated the renovation plan at Station 2 was a plan that the volunteers, officers and career staff came up with and this was a cooperative effort which everyone signed off on; the officers need better work conditions. Mulford stated that he is not worried about the EMT s; we have already budgeted for the ambulances ;the real issue is how much do we need to put into the Apparatus reserve. We took out $420,000 out and put $320,000; we need to keep the fund so that we can replace our apparatus. Mulford stated that we need a business manager and we do need a deputy chief; we have to budget for the two deputy chiefs until we know what is happening with retirement. Mulford stated that we have not put anything in the budget for career staff; Arlington went with COLA for their raises. Smith stated that if someone else is getting 6% raises we will lose at arbitration. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that a 3% increase would be doable with what we have. Zeidan stated that he and Mr. Hines had something to say. Zeidan stated that he understands what Smith is saying, however, he feels we do not have to cut the budget just do not add onto the budget which will raise the budget. Zeidan stated that he understands you have to add to the reserve because you have to plan for the future. Zeidan stated that we are adding on stuff that is increasing the budget and we don t need like the EMTS. Hines stated that we have for two years talked about most of what Smith proposed including the business manager-we discussed, and appropriated funds

4 4632 for it and never filled the position. Those renovations have been discussed for a long time and there is no question that they are needed, in fact required. Hines stated that the conditions that the guys deal with are minimal at best,and the funds are in the budget already and the results of this planner would not occur for at least another five years to eight years before placing a shovel in the ground. Hines stated that the career staff deserves the room. Regarding the EMT s, for as long as he has been on the Board there has been a problem getting 71 out and the volunteers are not getting it out. 80% of our calls are EMS and the calls go to second and third calls and 72 picks it up. The right thing is to approve what Smith has proposed. Yes it is expensive, but if we look at other budgets in the area of community service, education, town, etc.; they are increasing and we need to be pro-active addressing these needs instead of waiting until there is a problem. Zeidan asked Mulford where it is written that we must hire a full time business manager at as salary of $ Mulford stated that we have the funds to hire a business manager this year and it will not change next year s budget; The town has just hired a comptroller at $80,000 or $90,000; for the past five years I have not been able to get answers; Denise does not have the answers; she doesn t have the information and has given me misinformation regarding our medical insurance regarding going out to a broker. Zeidan stated that has not answered the question why do we have to hire a full time business manager. Zeidan stated that he would be for a part time business manager. Lantzky stated that we don t have to hire full time, we are just putting the funds in the budget just in case. Mulford stated that we have a fiduciary responsibility. Mulford stated that we have the funds there if we decide to hire one as the funds must be there. By the end of next year we will need funds to pay out for those who are retiring for accrued sick time and vacation time; that money we have in the certificate of deposit will be taking a big hit next year. Mulford stated that he would like to keep our plan for the reserve funds. Mulford asked the Chief if there is anything that he needs-it etc. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that. Smith stated that

5 4633 as far as retirement is concerned papers can be pulled up until the last day. Smith stated that if he has confirmed that Ed Murray and Jeff Kaiser have put their papers in for retirement. Chief Jim Dawson stated that Ed Murray is scheduled for FLIP school. Zeidan asked where he heard this; Chief Jim Dawson stated that he heard a rumor. Zeidan stated in that case, the individual should be asked directly. Mulford stated that he would like to take it one-step further; we should do the same thing as we do with employees who wish to get there paramedic status, that is, they have to sign an agreement to give us six months. Mulford stated that if we are going to appoint a lieutenant then we should at least get a minimum of two years if we are going to send him to school. Mulford stated that he has eighteen months to complete the FLIP school. Hines stated that you cannot hold someone to something that is said in an interview; in writing as a contractual agreement is different. Hines stated that if a business manager is in place and we had a policy in place then the individual would have to file for retirement through us. Mulford stated that without a policy they can file papers directly to Albany. Mulford stated that we have a motion and it has been seconded, with discussion and has been amended. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that we have the business manager salary in place and the reserve funds as discussed. Zeidan asked why can t we have a part time business manager. Mulford stated that we have had the discussion. Smith stated that we are merely placing the funds in the budget, we are not saying we are getting a business manager. Lantzky stated that we are putting together a budget to get to Town Hall by Tuesday; we can modify this budget if we need too.. Mulford stated that this is what is going to the Town. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that he has placed in the budget funds for the two part time EMT s, funds for the reserve funds-there is enough funds to do what we need. Smith stated he doesn t want to be short next year. Mulford stated that steel is going up 30%; we have to take that into consideration. Hines asked regarding the ambulance replacements. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that they are figured in the reserve fund. Assistant Chief Barry Ward stated that we are looking at a 6%

6 4634 increase. Smith stated that we need to be careful so has not to cause a huge increase next year. Mulford stated that our contractual will go up next year. Mulford asked for a vote on the motion and polled the Board and the vote was as follows: Smith Aye Hines Aye Zeidan Nay Mulford Aye Lantzky Aye The motion was carried. Mulford stated that this budget is the proposed budget which will go to the Town. There being no further business, Smith moved to adjourn at 3:30 PM, seconded by Hines and carried unan. Respectfully submitted, Denise A. Holzberger, Secretary/Treasurer