BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015 5:30 P.M. – GUILFORD FIRE HEADQUARTERS

Present: Commissioners: Anita Catardi, Barbara Hemming; Gary Gilbert; Vice Chairman Dean Mitchell,

Dep’t. Members: Chief Charles Herrschaft, Deputy Chief Ken Maginniss, Assistant Chief Wayne Vetre

Vice Chairman Mitchell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Mr. Mitchell welcomed Ms. Catardi to the Board of Fire Commissioners.

1. Public Forum

None

2. Approve minutes of:

2.1 Approve minutes of the April 7, 2015 regular meeting

Motion: Upon a motion by Ms. Hemming, and seconded by Mr. Gilbert, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved the minutes of the April 7, 2015 regular meeting.

In Favor: Gilbert, Hemming, Mitchell, Opposed: None Abstained: Catardi

3. Correspondence and Notices

Mr. Mitchell noted that the department received two thank you letters.

4. Departmental Officers and/or Committee Reports:

4.1 Fire Chief/Fire Marshal’s Report

The Chief reported that the new hire has started his official training and is working out very well. His training period will end in sixty days.

The Department responded to numerous structure fires this past month, in addition to providing mutual aid to Branford. Brush fire season has begun, and the department responded to a large brush fire in the East River Preserve which spread over approximately two acres. There was also a brush fire in Draft Fire Commission Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015

West Woods near Three Corners Road which proved challenging to access. There was tremendous tree fall in the area; the ATV was utilized to get to the fire. Madison and North Madison assisted.

A woman was rescued when she fell from Bluff Head. The Department used ropes to get her down, she was transported to Wimler’s Field, and then taken to Yale New Haven Hospital by Lifestar.

The ambulance remount is almost done, they are waiting for one part. The Assistant Chief will probably be going down in two weeks and bringing it back to Guilford.

Two department members are currently out on Worker’s Compensation. One is a long term injury, hopefully the other employee will be back to work shortly.

The Department provided support at the /Nick Fradiani event as well. The meeting room at Fire Headquarters was also utilized for a lunch reception for his family and friends. Mr. Fradiani visited with department members and thanked them for their service to the community.

There was a mayday call when a boat hit a rock in an area where a buoy was off station.

The new fire boat is ahead of schedule. The Chief is optimistic that the boat may be delivered mid‐June. It must be delivered by July 18, 2015. The Shellfish Commission has very generously allowed the Fire Department the use of their boat while waiting for delivery of the new one.

4.2 Assistant Fire Chief Report 4.2.1 Activity Report(s)

There were a total of 269 calls in April, and 2,807 calls year to date. Back to back call volume was:

2 or more calls at once 140 times 3 or more calls at once 56 times 4 or more calls at once 15 times 5 or more calls at once 4 times

There were six structure fires this past month, all of which are under investigation.

Draft Fire Commission Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015

5. Monthly Business:

5.1 Status of Budget

As of March 31, the budget was 74.3 % expended, and should be at 75% expended. Building Maintenance is over budget due to the rental of the payloader during the big snowstorm. The town has applied for FEMA reimbursement, if received the payment will help offset that expense.

Vehicle Maintenance is also very tight at 90.2% expended. The Chief is hopeful that the department will come in on budget at year end, but the two Worker’s Comp claims may have a negative impact on the budget.

5.2 Consider and take action on monthly Department Expenditures

Expenditures for the month totaled $49,550.08. Beginning July 1, 2015, the expense for CMED will decrease to $8,100 annually.

Motion: Upon a motion by Ms. Hemming, and seconded by Mr. Gilbert, the Board of Fire Commissioners voted to approve the monthly expenses in the amount of $49,550.08.

In Favor: Catardi, Hemming, Gilbert, Mitchell Opposed: None Abstained: None

5.3 Receive Revenue Report

The unaudited ambulance revenue for the month of April was $51,680.54 It is anticipated that the department will make their year‐end target.

6. Old Business:

None

7. New Business:

7.1 Update on Guilford High School Construction.

There is a target date of June 1, 2015 for a temporary certificate of occupancy for the new high school. It will not be issued until all safety requirements have been met, and all exiting issues have been resolved.

Draft Fire Commission Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015

The Fire Commissioners will be given a tour of the new school after the meeting adjourns.

8. Any other business to properly come before the Fire Commission

None

10. Public Forum

None

Mr. Mitchell expressed his thanks for all the Fire Department’s good work this past month. Assistant Chief Vetre, Deputy Fire Marshal Paul Fazzino and Assistant Fire Marshal Rick Milnes will conduct a tour of the new Guilford High School for any Commissioners wishing to attend.

Motion: Upon a motion by Mr. Gilbert, and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, the Commissioners voted to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m.

In Favor: Catardi, Gilbert, Hemming, Mitchell Opposed: None Abstained: None

Respectfully Submitted, Karen Quercia Clerk

Draft Fire Commission Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015