Board of Directors' Meeting March 26, 2025

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Directors Meeting

March 26, 2025

DIRECTORS PRESENT

President Ken March, Vice President Jay Wilson, Directors Tom Goddard, Curtis Barnes, Dan Eaton, Tom Bates, Harry Boynton, Real Bazin, John Manning, Harry Nelson, Chris Liller and Chief Joe Sangermano.

The meeting was called to order at 18:57 hours.

 GUESTS – Oliver Fox

          Pete DeNutte

             Kassie Lunderville, Deputy Chief, FMA

Oliver Fox was in attendance so that the board was able to meet with him. He gave us an update on what he has been working on, and let us know his history of who he is.

Pete also mentioned how very helpful with the transition of the new system, and very helpful with the old and the new working together.

MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Director Nelson and second by Director Boynton to approve the minutes with amendments that were discussed, motion passed.

TREASURER'S REPORT

 No statements available

February Account Summaries

Checking $641,339.08

Outstanding $2,212,141.17

MBIA Operation $1,969.75

Buyout $47,499.35

Reserve $43,845.22

RS Checking $10,460.82

Capital Reserve $152,879.15

Capital Improve. $5,148.84

Org Checking $33,106.92

Outstanding $6,750.00

COORDINATORS REPORT

 Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Wilson to accept the report, motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

By-Laws Committee – Nothing to report 

Regional Training Committee – Nothing to report

Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

Recorder – Is here, still being filled with information

New Cad – Starting weekly checks on it starting Thursday

New Consoles – Pete is still working with Motorola filling in information that needs to be included, he is working to get this completed

Accounting Clerk – Will start April 1st.

Door Locks – New door locks have been installed

I AM Responding – Setting up a date to come and do some training for the dispatchers

Grievances – Positive progress has been made

Dispatch Chairs – Deputy Lunderville has reached out for a demo , she has had no response back yet.

NHEDA conference – is being held the 2nd week of April

Radio Repair truck – Is at dealer, has been sent for paint so it matches our fleet, the body is still in Canada, Chief Sangermano is working on getting thru customs for delivery.

Annual meeting – April 30th

Roof – Back Hall roof has been repaired

Cell Phones – Are still coming for dispatch

NEW BUSINESS

  A motion was made by Director Boynton second by Director Eaton to present the Cheshire County with an award for all they have done for SWFMA with the grants that we have been awarded, motion passed.

Texting – Cell carries are starting to charge a fee for each line that receives a text, Deputy Lunderville is working on this.

Chief Sangermano mentioned he will not be able to attend our April meeting.

Motion to go into Non-public session was made by Director Eaton second by Director Boynton, roll call was taken, motion passed. 20:03

Motion to come out of Non-public session, roll call was taken, motion passed. 20:35.

Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Boynton to seal the minutes, motion passed.

Open Discussion:

Director Bazin asked if I Am Responding could be opened more to include when a town is asked to go mutual aid to help another town?

Directors – At this time there are going to be 2 open positions on the board, the board was asked if they had any input of any candidates.

Motion made by Director Eaton second by Director Barnes to have the President and Vice president added to for signing on the systems accounts.

Motion to adjourn Director Barnes second by Director Manning, motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 20.03

CORRESPONDENCE-None         

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary

Board of Directors' Meeting March 12, 2025

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Directors Meeting

March 12, 2025

DIRECTORS PRESENT

President Ken March, Vice President Jay Wilson, Directors Tom Goddard, Curtis Barnes, Dan Eaton,Tom Bates, Harry Boynton, Real Bazin and Chief Joe Sangermano.

The meeting was called to order at 18:48 hours.

 GUESTS – Don Bliss

          Pete DeNutte

             Kassie Lunderville, Deputy Chief, FMA       .

MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Director Bazin and second by Director Eaton to approve the minutes with amendments that were discussed, motion passed. Chief Sarngermano will make the changes before posting them on the web site.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Boyonton to accept the report, motion passed.

February Account Summaries

Checking $641,339.08

Outstanding $2,212,141.17

MBIA Operations $1,969.75

Buyout $47,499.35

Reserve $43,845.22

RS Checking $10,460.82

Capital Reserve $152,879.15

Capital Improve. $5,148.84

Org Checking $33,106.92

Outstanding $6,750.00

COORDINATORS REPORT

 Motion made by Director Boynton  seconded by Director Bazin  to acknowledge that, motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

By-Laws Committee – Nothing to report 

Regional Training Committee – Nothing to report

Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

Pete gave an update on the following projects:

Still working on the console, matching the new system with the old.

Vermont is willing to pay 15% to get the project going.

Don gave an update on the following projects:

The Admin. Assistant has passed all checks, we are ready for her to sign a work contract.

Gilsum radio site was toured for the grant proccess'

Chief Sangermano had the following updates:

Door locks are being installed by Amer Electric.

Still no training set up with I AM Rsponding people for the dispatchers, some things have been worked out by the dispatchers.

Full time position has been filled by hiring Anthony Fry.

Grievences were policies, final will be available for the board to review.

Dispatch chairs, still looking at options.

A motion was made by Director Eaton second by Director Boynton to get into non-public session, motion passed by a roll call vote at 19:47

A motion to come out of non-public session was made by Director Barnes, secpnd by Director March at 20:23.

A motion was made by Director Eaton, second by Director Barnes to seal the minutes.

NEW BUSINESS

 NHEDA conference, the sytem has 2 people signed up to attend. Retired Deputy Bonnie Johnson will be receiving a life time member award at the conference.

Chief Sangermano is try to bring training to Southwest fire building.

A motion was made by Director Bazin and second by Director Eaton that we will hold the annual meeting on April 30th at the Keene Country club. Motion passed.

A nominating committee was formed of Director Boynton and Director Eaton to present the nominated people for director.

A motion was made by Director Bazin and second by Director Boynton that we should meet 2 times a month, motion passed. Our next meeting will be March 26th.

Cheshire EMS chief called into dispatch with possitve feedback on how things are going.

Marlow selectboard has reached out to Chief Sangermano on concerns in their town on staffing at the fire department.

Director Bazin has concerns how cover trucks are not being used when big events happen, 2 times in a month he feels that a cover truck was overlooked.

PERSONNEL ISSUES –

David Whipple is retiring on March 31st.

CORRESPONDENCE-None        

OPEN DISCUSSION –

Weathersfield VT Chief was assigned 64, and was wandering if that was still right to use?

The meeting was adjourned at 20:34 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary

Board of Directors' Meeting February 12, 2025

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Directors Meeting

February 12, 2025

DIRECTORS PRESENT

President Ken March, Directors Tom Goddard, Curtis Barnes, Dan Eaton, Harry Nelson, John Manning, Real Bazin and Chief Joe Sangermano.

The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours.

 GUESTS – Don Bliss

                     Pete DeNutte

                     Kassie Lunderville, Deputy Chief, FMA       .

MEETING MINUTES

No minutes were available

TREASURER'S REPORT

Motion made by Director Eaton seconded by Director Bazin to accept the report, motion passed.

January 2025 Account Summaries

Checking $627,525.32

Outstanding $2,444,173.17

MBIA Operation $1,963.08

Buyout $47,338.39

Reserve $43,696.64

RS Checking $10,460.02

Capital Reserve $152,867.42

Capital Improve. $5,148.76

Org Checking $34,311.29

Outstanding $6,750.00

COORDINATORS REPORT

 Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Nelson to accept, motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

By-Laws Committee – Nothing to report

Regional Training Committee – Nothing to report

Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

Pete gave an update on the following projects:

The new recorder is on site and work is in progress to get in service.

The new CAD system work is in progress, with a go live date of Sept. 10th

Motorola has been working to help with the new CAD system.

Gilsum Hill has been fixed

Stratton Mountain has also been fixed.

Don gave an update on the following projects:

The Admin. Assistant is just pending a background check.

Letter has been drafted to send out to let members know what is taking place.

Grant for upgrades is still a go.

Checking with Vermont to get help for the Grant process.

Working on an update for Quickbooks for billing coming from the shop.

Chief Sangermano had the following updates:

Temple mountain is now operational.

Door locks for the building are being updated.

Phones in dispatch will be updated.

I Am Responding is coming in to do training with dispatchers.

Interviews are being conducted for full time postions.

3 grivences have been filed.

NEW BUSINESS

 Chief Sangermano was made aware that the tower that we used in Charlestown may be usable by the system again, he is going to check with the Charlestown fire Chief.

PERSONNEL ISSUES –None

CORRESPONDENCE-None           

OPEN DISCUSSION –

The town of Westmoreland is in agreement of our plan to use the money that we had been charging for the building to be used in the capital reserve fund.

The meeting was adjourned at 20:11 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary

Board of Directors' Meeting January 8, 2025

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Directors Meeting

January 8, 2025 

DIRECTORS PRESENT

President Ken March, Vice President Jay Wilson, Directors Tom Goddard, Curtis Barnes, Dan Eaton, Tom Bates, John Manning, Real Bazin, Harry Nelson

The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours.

 GUESTS – Don Bliss

                     Kassie Lunderville, Deputy Chief, FMA

                     Peter DeNutte     

MEETING MINUTES

Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Nelson to approve the minutes from our November meeting, motion passed.

Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Eaton to approve the minutes from

our December meeting, motion passed

TREASURER'S REPORT

Motion made by Director Barnes seconded by Director Nelson to accept the report, motion passed.

September 2024 Account Summaries

Checking $1,120,313.86

Outstanding $517,380.66

MBIA Operation $1,932.06

Buyout $46,590.29

Reserve $43,006.09

RS Checking $10,456.49

Capital Reserve $152,815.92

Capital Improve. $5,148.42

Org Checking $34,299.73

Outstanding $6,750.00

COORDINATORS REPORT

  No report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

By-Laws Committee – Nothing to report 

Regional Training Committee – Nothing to report

Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

•         Grant policies have been approved and forwarded to Don Bliss

•         The old Chief's vehicle has been transferred to Cheshire County EMS

•         Ad for the accounting clerk has been posted and will be posted for 30 days

NEW BUSINESS

•         Motion was made by Director Eaton second by Director Bazin to repair a portion of the roof that was proposed, motion passed

•         2025 assessments have been sent out

•         President March asked that a letter be sent out to Westmoreland fire for allowing the board to use their station for our meeting with the dispatchers and staff

             Deputy Lunderville exited the meeting.

             Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Bazin to move into non-public

             executive session, a roll call vote was taken motion passed. 19:12

              Motion by President March second by Director Barnes to move out of

              non-public session, roll call vote taken, motion passed at 20:19

              Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Bazin to seal the non-public

              minutes, motion passed.

              Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Nelson to hire Municipal

              Resources, motion passed.

               Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Nelson to hire Envision

               Analysis, motion passed

                Motion by Director Bazin second by Director Nelson to form a committee

                from the board to help Chief Sangermano form a plan to address issues,

                motion passed.  The committee will be President March, Director Eaton and

                Director Manning.

                Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Barnes to hold a Directors

                meeting on January 22 at 1900 at Mutual Aid Headquarters, motion

                passed.

PERSONNEL ISSUES –None

CORRESPONDENCE-None         

OPEN DISCUSSION –

The city of Keene is doing away with the alarm company they are using

The meeting was adjourned at 21:30 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary

Board of Directors' Meeting December 13, 2024

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Directors Meeting

December 13, 2024 

DIRECTORS PRESENT

President Ken March,Vice President Jay Wilson, Directors Tom Goddard, Curtis Barnes, Dan Eaton, Harry Nelson, Harry Boynton, Real Bazin

The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours.

 GUESTS – None

MEETING MINUTES - No minutes available.

TREASURER'S REPORT -  No report available. 

October 2024 Account Summaries

Checking  $892,695.42

Outstanding $440,003.53

MBIA Operation $1,932.06

Buyout $46,590.29

Reserve $43,006.09

RS Checking $10,457.38

Capital Reserve $152,828.90

Capital Improve. $5,148.50

Org Checking $34,302.64

Outstanding $6,750.00

COORDINATORS REPORT- No report available.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

By-Laws Committee – Nothing to report 

Regional Training Committee – Nothing to report

Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

•         A motion by Director Bazin second by Director Goddard to accept the grant policies as presented to the board by Don Bliss. Motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

•         A letter from the town of Charlestown was read by the board on their wish to come back to our system.

•         A Motion by Director Bazin second by Director Nelson to allow Charlestown to come back to our system passed. President March will let Chief Sangermano of the vote.

•         Cheshire county would like to purchase the old Chief’s vehicle.

•         A motion by Director Eaton second by Director Boynton to transfer the old Chief’s vehicle to Cheshire county.

PERSONNEL ISSUES –

         A roll call vote was taken at 19:15 to move into non-public session 91-A:3c.

         A roll call vote was taken at 20:20  to move out of the non-public session.

         A motion by Director Eaton second by Director Barnes to seal the non-public minutes.

         passed.

CORRESPONDENCE-None

OPEN DISCUSSION –

The meeting was adjourned at 2030 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary

Board of Directors' Meeting November 13, 2024

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Director’s Meeting

November 13, 2024 

DIRECTORS PRESENT

President Ken March,Vice President Jay Wilson, Directors Tom Goddard, Curtis Barnes, Dan Eaton, Tom Bates, Chris Liller, John Manning, Real Bazin and Chief Joe Sangermano.

The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours.

 GUESTS – Don Bliss

                     Kassie Lunderville, Deputy Chief, FMA      

The meeting started with our guest Don Bliss giving us an overview of what needs to be done to move forward with the grant we have applied for. Don also spoke on how we can move forward on projects that the funds will go to. Don also left a packet with each director with info on the grant and how the funds could be used with a list of projects. Don spoke about a need for an accounting clerk, which would help the Chief and the Deputy’s with office type work. 

A motion was made by Director Eaton to place an ad for an accounting clerk, at 30hrs a week with benefits the motion was second by Director Goddard. Motion passed.

1952 hours regular meeting resumed

MEETING MINUTES

Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Manning to approve the minutes, motion passed.

TREASURERS REPORT

Motion made by Director Barnes seconded by Director Bazin to accept report, motion passed. 

October 2024 Account Summaries

Checking $892,695.42

Outstanding $440.003.53

MBIA Operation $1,932.06

Buyout $46,590.29

Reserve $43,006.09

RS Checking $10,457.38

Capital Reserve $152,828.90

Capital Improve. $5,148.50

Org Checking $34,302.64

Outstanding $6,750.00

COORDINATORS REPORT

Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Bates to accept, motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

By-Laws Committee – Nothing to report

Regional Training Committee – Nothing to report

Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS

·         Discussed letter in regards to meeting of officers of the board to sign to accept the grant

·         The directors were naked to review the packet of info Don Bliss left and bring any questions to our next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

·         Wall at the back of the building has been repaired

·         The 2025 budget was discussed a motion was made by Director and seconded by Director Goddard to accept the budget as written

·         A motion by Director Bates Second by Director Barnes to raise the rate for associate towns by $100. This motion passed with 1 Director opposed

·         Motion by Director Eaton second by Director Liller for the Chief to purchase $100 give cards to all employees for Christmas. Motion passed

PERSONNEL ISSUES –None

CORRESPONDENCE-None

OPEN DISCUSSION –

There were questions about I Am Responding and some of the problems that towns are having, the

Chief said that they are working on trying to fix the problems that were brought up. 

Symposium is also having issues.

A question was asked about inquiring NH Dot Gov.

The meeting was adjourned at 2125 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary