Arlington Fire District 11 Burnett Boulevard Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 www.afd.org Business: (845) 486-6300 Fax: (845) 486-6322 For Emergencies DIAL 911 Safeguarding Our Community BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES September 6, 2017 ATTENDEES: Comm. James Beretta - Chairman Comm. Joseph Armstrong Comm. José Seco Comm. Jon Adams Comm. Blake Williams Chief: District Secretary: Acting District Secretary: Treasurer: Tory Gallante Renee O Neill (absent) Denise Holzberger James Passikoff (absent) Chairman Beretta opened the Arlington Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners meeting at 7:00 p.m., took a roll call of the attendees and reminded everyone to silence their cell phones. Everyone stood and recited the pledge of allegiance. I. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - No action(s) taken by the Board, unless otherwise noted II. III. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD - No action(s) taken by the Board, unless otherwise noted ABSTRACT Comm. Beretta stated that Abstract 17 9A was reviewed by Comm. Adams and Comm. Armstrong. A motion was made by Comm.Armstrong to approve Abstract 17 9A for a grand total of $47,926.76, totaling 38 checks. This consists of $ 0 in paid bills with a total of 0 checks and $47926.76 in unpaid bills with a total of 38 checks. Seconded by Comm. Adams. - Motion Carried, 5-0
IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES A. August 21, 2017 Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting A motion was made by Comm. Adams to approve the August 21, 2017 Board of Fire Commissioners meeting minutes. Seconded by Comm. Seco. - Motion Carried, 5-0 V. MONTHLY COMMIITTEE REPORTS - No reports given unless otherwise noted. A. Service Awards Comm. Seco & Comm. Armstrong B. District Inspections Comm. Williams & Comm. Adams C. District Officers / Chief Liaison Comm. Adams & Comm. Beretta D. EMS & Paramedic Liaison Comm. Williams & Comm. Seco E. Public Relations Comm. Adams & Comm. Beretta F. Equipment Maintenance Comm. Adams & Comm. Seco G. Buildings and Grounds Comm. Seco & Comm. Armstrong H. Capital Equipment Comm. Adams & Comm. Armstrong I. Union Negotiations & Contract Comm. Armstrong & Comm. Beretta J. Career Staff Liaison Comm. Beretta & Comm. Armstrong K. Volunteer Recruitment Comm. Williams & Comm. Seco L. Volunteer Liaison Comm. Williams & Comm. Seco M. District Safety & Health Comm. Adams & Comm. Williams N. Strategic Plan Comm. Beretta & Comm. Adams O. Finance Committee Comm. Beretta & Comm. Armstrong P. IT Operations Committee Comm. Beretta & Comm. Williams Q. Croft & Rochdale Lease Comm. Armstrong & Comm. Seco VI. CORRESPONDENCE None unless otherwise noted A. Email received from James Challey Coordinator, Arlington Street Fair A motion was made by Comm. Beretta to deny this request for Arlington Fire Department to be part of the Arlington Street Fair. Seconded by Comm. Armstrong. Comm.Adams- Yes Comm. Williams No - Motion Carried 4-1
VII. ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE BOARD None unless otherwise noted A. New Member- Darron Roberts for Co.5 Out of District Interviewed by Chief A motion was made by Comm.Williams to accept Darron Roberts as an Out of District member for Company No. 5. Seconded by Comm. Seco. Comm.Adams- Yes Comm. Beretta No Comm. Williams Yes - Motion Carried 4-1 VIII. DONATIONS -None unless otherwise noted IX. SCHOOL REQUESTS The following member(s) have been approved by Chief Gallante to attend the course(s) listed below. The training requested is either located in county or is a course to maintain certification and therefore is for Commissioners notification purposes only: No school requests received for notification purposes. The following school requests require consideration by the Board of Fire Commissioners: A. Chris Mills: Fire Instructor II September 14-17, 2017 and September 23-24, 2017 at NYS Fire Academy in Montour Falls. ( $50.00 testing fee and $200 lodging. 8 hours District time, 47 hours own time and use of District Vehicle. Certification is required for the position of Municipal Training Officer.) A motion was made by Comm.Adams to approve school request A. Seconded by Comm.Williams. Comm. Adams Yes Comm. Williams Yes - Motion Carried, 5-0 X. COMMISSIONERS ITEMS - No reports and/or discussions unless otherwise noted XI. DISTRICT STAFF ITEMS A. Chief - Tory Gallante - 1. Arlington Fire District and the Town of Poughkeepsie have been awarded a grant in the amount of $150,000 as part of the 2017 Dutchess County Municipal Innovation Grant Program for the purpose of a
shared municipal/fire district facility study. Chief Gallante stated he will keep the Board apprised of details going forward. This was announced at two meetings held by the Dutchess County Executive and Dutchess County Planning and Development attended by Chief Gallante and Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Baisley.. 2. Requests the Board declare three ambulances surplus: 32-71 2013 Horton 32-72 2013 Horton 32-74 2006 PL Custom This was determined after research and assessment done by our Mechanic. It is recommended that 32-73, a 2009 Wheel Coach be kept at this time. A motion was made by Cmmr. Beretta to declare ambulances 32-71 a 2013 Horton, 32-72 a 2013 Horton and 32-74 a 2006 PL Custom, surplus equipment.. Seconded by Cmmr. Armstrong. There was discussion. Comm. Adams Yes Comm. Seco Abstain Comm. Williams Abstain - Motion carried 3-0-2 B. 1 st Assistant Chief John Richardson- 1. Status of appointment of volunteer recruitment coordinator.. - No action taken by the Board C. Director of EMS David Violante- 1. Director of EMS David Violante announced that our Public Health Inspection did very well. This pertains to our ambulance operating and First Responder certification. Chairman Beretta thanked EMS Director Violante for his efforts relating to this inspection. D. Treasurer James Passikoff- No report XII. ITEMS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Cmmr. Beretta 1. Matters relating to the employment histories of 2 particular people. B. Chief Gallante 1. Matters relating to the employment histories of 5 particular people relating to potential suspension or dismissal.
With no further open business to discuss, a motion was made by Comm. Beretta to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss the employment history of five individuals and invite Chief Gallante to discuss the matters as stated. Seconded by Comm. Seco. - Motion Carried, 5-0 The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:19 p.m. XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:26 PM and returned to Open Session. XIV. OPEN ITEMS As a result of Executive session, the following resolution was read for consideration: A motion was made by Commissioner Adams to terminate the following volunteers as members of the Arlington Fire District for failure to meet District requirements: Darryl Ingalls Eric Manske Sophia Prisco Gerard Taggart Richard Williams Seconded by Comm. Williams. Comm. Adams Yes Comm. Williams Yes - Motion carried 5-0 As a result of Executive Session, the following Memorandum of Understanding was read for consideration: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT It is hereby agreed by and among the Arlington Fire District (hereinafter "District"), Jeffrey Pells (hereinafter "Mr. Pells"), and the Arlington Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2393 (hereinafter "Association"), collectively referred to herein as the Parties as follows:
1. Mr. Pells retires from his employment with the District effective the close of business September 12, 2017. Mr. Pells shall remain on paid leave pursuant to General Municipal Law 207-a until the effective date of his retirement. Mr. Pells' signed resignation/retirement letter is attached hereto as Appendix A. 2. Pursuant to the 2016-2021 collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time of his retirement between the District and the Arlington Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local No. 2393, I.A.F.F., AFL-CIO, Poughkeepsie, New York ( CBA ), Mr. Pells shall receive a onetime lump-sum payment in the gross amount of $173,053.12, which represents all accrued and unused leave time at the hourly rate of $45.89 earned as of the effective date of his retirement in 2017 in addition to vacation and holiday leave time that he would have earned as of January 1, 2018 at the hourly rate of $46.78, said payment shall be paid no later than 14 days from the approval of this Agreement by the Board of Fire Commissioners. 3. Mr. Pells acknowledges and agrees that he is retiring under a regular service retirement with the New York State Police and Firefighter Retirement System ("NYSPFRS") plan 384-e. Both parties permanently agree that neither the District on his behalf nor Mr. Pells shall file for disability retirement. 4. Mr. Pells agrees that if an application for disability retirement is filed by Mr. Pells or by his designee notwithstanding the provision above, then, Mr. Pells waives any entitlement to the District s paying the difference between the amounts received under such allowance or pension, and the amount of his regular salary or wages. 5. Mr. Pells acknowledges that he has carefully read and fully understands the terms of this Agreement and that he is signing this Agreement voluntarily and of his own free will and consents to all the terms and conditions contained herein. 6. All actions and matters arising out of and leading to this Agreement shall not be precedent setting, and cannot be used by either Party as evidence of a past practice in any proceeding. 7. Mr. Pells states that he has been fully and fairly represented by the Association in this matter 8. This Agreement shall be subject to the approval of the District Board of Fire Commissioners and the Association. Dated: September, 2017
Arlington Fire District By: _ By:_ James Beretta Chairman Board of Fire Commissioners Arlington Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 2393 Joseph Tarquinio Association President Employee Jeffrey Pells As a result of Executive Session, the following resolution was read for consideration: Comm.Beretta read the following Resolution and moved its adoption: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Arlington Fire District ( District ) Board of Fire Commissioners ( Board ) does hereby approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the District, the Arlington Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2393 ( Association ), and Firefighter Jeffrey Pells ( Mr. Pells ) and accepts Mr. Pells resignation for retirement. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes the Board Chairman to sign such Agreement on behalf of the District.
Seconded by Comm.. Comm. Adams Yes Comm. Williams Yes - Motion carried 5-0 Cmmr. Armstrong read his letter of resignation effective September 6, 2017 and returned his pager and radio equipment. Mr. Armstrong said good night and exited the meeting. With no further business to conduct, a motion was made by Comm. Adams to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Williams at 8:33 PM. - Motion Carried, 4-0 Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Denise Holzberger Acting District Secretary Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting Minutes September 6, 2017 Page 8