October 10, 2018 - Fire Planning Committee Meeting

 

6:00 P.M. – CALL TO ORDER – by Chairperson Tom Hilliard

 

Mike Schwab, Mayor

Andrew Hess, Council Member                  Tom Hilliard, Council Member                   

Sydney Radich, Council Member                              

 

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer                             Michael L. Miller, Village Administrator 

 

Also in attendance: Fire Chief Chris Colucy, Assistant Fire Chief Jen Mohler, Paramedic Scott Borojevich, Paramedic Roger Carpenter, Jr., and Paramedic Mike Mohler.

 

Chief Colucy provided a priority list and a list of improvements that may be mandated in the near future.  The top three items on the equipment list are Air Packs SCBA, Turnout Gear, and a generator.  The department is outgrowing the building.  The newer vehicles coming out are bigger to accommodate the newer equipment and changes to the equipment.  The 1993 Sutphen Pumper needs replaced and the department has applied for a FEMA grant.  The cost of a new pumper is around $500,000.  If a grant is received, the Village match would be around $23,000 and grant fees up to $3,000.  The 2000 Freightliner Tanker needs refurbished.  This would be cheaper than the replacement cost of $350,000.  The ambulances have no replacements scheduled until 2024 and that may be a remount at a substantial cost savings.   Showers, ADA restrooms, and a diesel removal system may be mandated.  Three different building configurations were discussed: reconfigure the existing station (estimate $ 778,668), add an addition (estimate $ 1,307,482), and a new building (estimate $ 3-5 million).  Drawings for the first two configurations were reviewed. 

 

The Mayor had stated that the number one priority is staffing.  Chief Colucy provided different scenarios of what staffing would cost by adding staffed hours or changing some hours to be staffed by EMT’s instead of paramedics.  Other operating and maintenance expenses were discussed.

 

Adding an income tax was discussed.  A half of a percent income tax would generate approximately $400,000 per year.  It was suggested that a plan be prepared showing exactly where the money would be spent to show the taxpayers why the money is needed and where the money would be spent.  The term of the income tax was discussed.    

 

There was more discussion on staffing and personnel costs and approaches.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm.

 

 

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Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer