WEATHERSFIELD FIRE COMMISSION

Minutes - November 3, 2010

Ascutney Volunteer Fire Station

1: Call to Order-

Pat Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

2: Attendance-

Members Present: Darrin Spaulding, Jeff Ingalls, Dave Fuller, and Pat Daniels

Public Present: Josh Compo, Shawn Brown, Derek Gelineau, Mychael Spaulding, Michael Barrup, Alex Longtin, Joshua Pearson, Colby Hodgdon, Ernie Shand, Pat Howe, Stephen Brown, and Jim Mullen.

3: Comments from Citizens-

There was none.

4. Additions to Agenda-

Darrin Spaulding would like to discuss the Town agreement with the fire departments under new business. Pat Daniels would like to discuss dry hydrant update under old business too. Also, the National Fire Incident Reporting System under new business. Pat Daniels will move new business before old business.

5: Approve Minutes of Last Meeting(s)

Darrin Spaulding made a motion to accept the minutes of October 13, 2010 as written. Jeff Ingalls seconded it. Three members voted in the affirmative and 1 abstained due to being absent.

6. Review Fire Commission Financial Monthly Report(s)

AVFD was at $14, 002.69 and WWVFD was at $1380.20. Dave Fuller stated that the fire departments might be under insured. Pat Daniels said that the building at WWVFD was over assessed. Pat Daniels is working with Chris and Michelle in regards to having the expenditures for each department separate. Currently, the fire departments have one insurance policy under the Town's policy.

7: AVFA Monthly Report

Darrin Spaulding presented his report to the Commission. The fire station is working with Efficiency Vermont and is receiving $3800.00 worth of lights for around $500.00. The number of kilowatts will be cut in half.

8: WWVFD Monthly Report

Jeff Ingalls stated that WWVFD had 10 calls since the last meeting with 131 calls to date. They will be looking into Efficiency Vermont too. They are having a bake bean supper on November 6, 2010. They did fairly well on their boot drop.

9: Old Business

1. Hazardous Waste Ordinance

Pat Daniels told the Commission that the Select Board suggestions are in blue. It will be going to the Board tomorrow (November 4, 2010). The red is the Commission's comments from before. Ernie Shand said that as the House of Representative, Rodney Spaulding had sent him letters in regards to the fire department not getting paid. The insurance companies do not want to pay. There are towns in Vermont who do not have a problem and there are others that do. He recommends making the ordinance as tight as possible. It is coming up again in the next session. The insurance companies call it double taxation. He would recommend that everyone gets a bill whether or not they are a tax payer. You can get in trouble for treating people differently. The fire department needs to clean up the spill even if it is only 2 gallons.

Pat Daniels said that nowhere in the ordinance does it say who is at fault and at fault pays. Rodney Spaulding contacted her and said that somewhere in there it needs to say the person at fault pays. Dave Fuller said that several states have had court cases. They are saying that it is double dipping. The insurance companies are seeing the bills as subjective.

Dave Fuller said that the Select Board would like 75% of the fees go into a fund to buy a new truck. The Board wants to make sure that the fire departments are consistent with other towns. The Town does not want the money. Darrin Spaulding wanted to know if the 75% is negotiable. Dave Fuller said that it is. It would be used towards the purchase of trucks. Ernie Shand wanted to know why we charge $450. Jim Mullen said that the Commission should look at the cost of putting a truck on the road without equipment.

2. Emergency Services Reimbursement Ordinance

The Commission discussed the changes to this ordinance.

3. Veterans Memorial Committee Request

The Committee has asked for assistance on November 11, 2010. Each department will be sending a couple of members.

4. Basic Emergency Operations Plan

The Commission reviewed the Plan.

5. Dry Hydrant Update

The highway department is fixing all the electrical work at the bridge.

10: New Business

1. Fire Department Agreement with Fire Departments

Darrin Spaulding stated that the fire department had a meeting on November 2, 2010. He presented the department with the Emergency Services Reimbursement Ordinance. He went over the concerns of the members. He stated that there are some service problems with the trucks at AVFD. Fire department members at the meeting stated what is currently wrong with each truck. Dave Fuller stated that this was news to him. He said that Westley Hazeltine should be here. He said that Darrin Spaulding only mentioned one thing wrong at a previous meeting.

Darrin Spaulding said that he has brought up these issues before. Dave Fuller was not on the Commission at that time. Pat Howe said that the fire department fills out a form as to what is wrong and sends the form with the truck to the Town Garage.

Dave Fuller said that the Town Highway Department is very busy now with other Town projects. Darrin Spaulding said that at their meeting on the 2^nd, the department members wanted this presented to the Commission tonight. He does not want to offend anyone. Dave Fuller stated that the Town mechanic also works on school busses. Pat Daniels said that maybe there could be a schedule for the mechanic each month.

Jim Mullen will discuss this with Westley Hazeltine. Jim Mullen said let's see what is wrong with the system and fix it. Jeff Ingalls said that he has asked for a few things and they are not done. He feels that the Town garage is doing fairly well. Dave Fuller said sometimes it is important to put yourself in the other person's position. Pat Daniels said that the fire departments have an agreement with the Town. If the Town is unable to do it, then they might need to bring it someplace else.

2. New Accident Report Forms

Pat Daniels said that this will be on the agenda for the December meeting. Michelle or Chris will be coming to the meeting to discuss the forms. The forms will be filled out by anyone in the department that has a near miss, such as, a trip, a slip, any safety concern. This was brought up at a Safety and Health Wellness meeting. Pat Daniels said that if someone from AVFD can go to these meetings, it would be good. There will be different forms for both departments. She would like all officers in both departments to attend the December meeting.

3. National Fire Department Incident Reporting System

Pat Daniels said that there is a federal law for every incident. The forms are filled out and filed on the internet. AVFD is up to date. WWVFD has not filled out any for over a year. Jeff Ingalls said that he asked the person in charge of doing this and she said it was up to date. Pat Daniels said that it needs to be done.

4. 2011 Budget Worksheets

Jim Mullen and Chris will determine the insurance costs. The Commission discussed the worksheets and made some changes. Jim Mullen will check on the amount under legal fees.

5. Fire Commission Annual Report

Dave Fuller made a motion that the report be submitted for the Annual Report for 2010-2011. Darrin Spaulding seconded it. All were unanimous. Pat Daniels said that the Town has received the report and it has been accepted.

11: Next Meeting Agenda Items

The Commission will be discussing the new accident report forms.

12: Adjourn

Darrin Spaulding made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM. Dave Fuller seconded it. All were unanimous to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Day