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Wallingford Fire District No. 1 MINUTES OF THE PRUDENTIAL
COMMITTEE MEETING Called to Order:
Chris Rabtoy called the meeting to order at Visitors:
Warren Allen, Joyce Barbieri, Charlie Gauthier, Scott Sendra, Sandy
Switzer and John West Sewer Plant
Vandalism: J. West attended the
meeting to inform the committee on reports of vandalism that had taken place at
the Sewer Plant. An incident report
had been filed with the State Police Department just in case we need to put in a
claim for damages. The incidents may
have occurred by alleged teenagers that have been seen around the property.
He mentioned that it is a felony going down there and creating damages. J. West also spoke about an O & M Manual for the Water
System that was originally created for the treatment facility.
There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done and they have
been negotiating with a couple of different engineers that do technical writing.
As soon has he has more information about the cost, he will report back to the
committee. Fire Station Issues: C. Rabtoy wanted to go into and executive session due to a personnel issue at the fire station. R. Regula said that it wasn’t in a way and that she wanted the incident documented in case something comes up. W. Allen was present to answer questions from R. Regula regarding an altercation that had taken place at the Railroad Street Fire Station. The Chief had given the volunteer fire fighters verbal warnings for their actions and explained their procedures for discipline. C. Gauthier informed the committee that they have Standard Operating Procedures and they are adhered to, the by laws state that there needs to be three forms communication for documentation in their files. We have those procedures in place for their organization. R. Regula asked W. Allen why there where 2 fire engines
were left on during the recent coin drop. A
complaint was made to the Town Clerk’s office stating that the firefighter’s
refused to shut the vehicles off resulting in fumes going into his
establishment. He explained that the
State requires the fire truck lights to be turned on during the coin drop event.
She didn’t want to bring up the person name that made the complaint.
The clerk mentioned that we do have that information in writing and it
was Chris Dunigan from the Stone Shop. C.
Gauthier stated that when he was running the coin drop the truck was parked on
the South bound Lane with cones and signs placed on the North bound side of the
road. R. Regula asked W. Allen if they intended to get rid of the
soda coolers now that bingo is no longer taking place at the fire station.
Since they do run up the electric bill she would like to see them go.
W. Allen said that according to their recent efficiency electric audit
the soda cooler on the 2nd floor uses less electric than the one
outside the station. J. Barbieri addressed C. Rabtoy about a derogatory comment
made about her from him at the truck informational meeting the evening before.
C. Rabtoy said that he did not make such a comment about her and went on
to repeat what was said. Discussion
ensued regarding the vote of the fire truck and the contract between the
district and the town and how the state statute supercedes the contract. J. Barbieri asked about the possibility of turning the Boys
Camp over to the Town and why the prudential committee had not addressed this
issue with the Select Board. C.
Rabtoy said that the contract had been turned over the attorney for a legal
opinion. Once the information was in
then the prudential committee would need to agree to go forward with the
suggestion. In the end the decision
would need to be made by the taxpayers if deemed necessary to turn the camp over
to the Town. The whole reason why
the committee considered that action is because the state mandated the district
pay $4,000 in taxes. If the property
was owned by the town then the taxes would not be imposed. The clerk spoke up and said that she had brought to the
committee’s attention that there are people on the board that have experience
being in the office and that she would like to gather their
information/knowledge. Negative
comments out in the public could be resolved by working as a team to work
towards outcomes that are beneficial to the citizens and the organization. Discussion ensued regarding a fire department member
residing on the board and if they would be allowed to make decision on the Fire
Protection Fund. W. Allen remembered
a few past committee members that had been on the prudential committee and were
involved in the fire department. C.
Rabtoy said that this issue would need to be researched. The issue on financing for the proposed fire truck was
discussed. The clerk explained that
we would not be subject to penalties for early payment on the loan.
There would be no reason why other financial institutions couldn’t be
reviewed for lower interest rates and on that note the most recent interest rate
from Signal Financing was 4.8% and the 2002 Truck Loan is at 4.95%.
The previous ballot listed the truck cost of $125,000 without an interest
rate. That resulted in not giving
the voters a more accurate figure that would be financed resulting in $35,179.20
more than what was printed on the ballot. This
time we were trying to give the most accurate financial information for the
voters. A discussion on the budget and the understanding on how to
read the monthly reports took place. S.
Sendra addressed R. Regula about a line item on the budget allocated for a truck
fund and as a board member asked why she had to ask where the money came from.
She responded that she didn’t know about the figure and she can not
figure it out. C. Rabtoy explained
the reason behind the accountant completing a 3 year audit.
Over 80 sheets of paper outlining every check written had been given to
R. Regula per her request a couple of months ago.
R. Regula says that she can’t figure it out.
The clerk once again reiterated that the door is always open and if she
didn’t know the answer that we could contact the accountant.
C. Rabtoy made the comment that the accountant has set up the procedures
for generally accounting principles. The
clerk explained that she works with the Fire Chief and M. Breznick on their
budgets to make sure that they are aware where they have spent money on each of
the line items. At a recent meeting
a question was put to the board by the clerk asking if there is something that
she should be doing. Everyone on the
committee attending the meeting and nobody had any issues, to include R. Regula
that had nothing to say. R. Regula
said that what ever she says is not taken at its face value and sometimes she
just shuts her mouth. Approval for
Minutes: C. Rabtoy made the
motion to table the minutes from Prudential Committee
Pay Order: C. Rabtoy made the
motion to approve the pay orders as presented.
R. Regula seconded the motion. No
further discussion. Motion carried
(2/0). Old Business: Lodge Deed and
Contract between WFD#1 and Town: There
being taking care of by C. McPhee. Draft
Contractors/Snowplowing Agreement: No
action taken. New Business: Fire Hydrants:
The following fire hydrants were discussed:
Water/Sewer Rates:
P. Rice property on The clerk mentioned to keep in mind that residents will
have their invoices due around the end of December. Public Comments:
S. Switzer asked the committee when the last time C. McPhee had
attended a meeting. C. Rabtoy said
it had attended a couple of meetings ago. C.
McPhee has been called out of town during the scheduled times of the meetings on
other business. Other
Business/Announcements: Executive Session:
None. Next Meeting:
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Prudential Committee will
be held on Adjournment:
C. Rabtoy made the motion that the meeting be adjourned.
R. Regula seconded the motion. No
further discussion. Motion carried
(2/0). Meeting was adjourned at Respectfully Submitted: Stephanie P. Biagini - Clerk/Treasurer
Date Approved: |
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