Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid
Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday July 9, 2025
Directors Present: President Ken March, Vice President Phil Tirrell, Directors Thomas Goddard, Harry Boynton, Thomas Bates, Dan Eaton, Greg Seymour, Real Bazin, Jay Wilson, John Manning
Note: Director Seymour left the meeting at approximately 1945 hours due to a fire department related issue in the City of Keene, and did not return
The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours by President March
Administration Present: Chief Joe Sangermano, Deputy Chief Kassie Lunderville
Note: Chief Sangermano and Deputy Chief Lunderville left the meeting at approximately 2000 hours to assist Keene Fire Department with planning responsibilities relative to a situation on the City of Keene; Both returned to the meeting at approximately 2045 hours
Guests: Don Bliss & MRI Representatives, Peter Denutte
Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025: A motion was made by Director Eaton and seconded by Director Boynton to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2025 meeting, with one wording correction; Motion Passed via unanimous voice vote
Treasurer’s Report: Chief Sangermano presented a set of financial documents for review; Due to ongoing modifications to the System’s accounting software, and the financials not being completely accurate, the report was tabled
Coordinator’s Activity Report: A motion was made by Director Bazin and seconded by Director Goddard to accept the Chief Coordinator’s report as presented; Motion passed via unanimous voice vote
Committee Reports:
By-Laws Committee – No Report
Regional Training Committee – No Report
Public Relations Committee – No Report
Special Presentation to the Board of Directors: Don Bliss and the representatives from MRI presented the final Organizational Assessment and Operational Audit report to the Board; After the presentation, there was a significant amount of discussion by the Board members, with no specific actions taken relative to the report
Secondary to the receipt of this report, the Board discussed the relationship with MRI and Peter Denutte moving forward; The Board wholly agreed that for the purposes of the System communications upgrade project, both would be intimately involved with the System under separate and specific contracts related to the same; The Board also wholly agreed that for the purposes of the System Organizational and Operational Review & Audit, all contractual requirements have been met, and no additional services will be required or requested from either party with regard to System Administration and Operations, to include oversight, mentoring, and input.
Old Business:
New Recorder – No update
CAD – All work being done to develop the new CAD continues smoothly; Our CAD vendor has advised they are back on track, and as such, we are back to our original “go-live” date of September 9, 2025;
Dispatch Consoles – No update
IamResponding – No update
FMA Utility 1 Truck Body - The body has been delivered and is presently at the Keene Fleet Services complex; Plans are in place to have the body installed on the truck within the next week
Ladder Bay Roof Replacement – No update
Communications System Upgrade – As the System will be entering into equipment purchase contracts with various vendors very soon, and we will begin to spend grant funds, the Board discussed the need to develop and execute contracts for professional grant management and system upgrade guidance and oversight; A motion was made by Director Bazin and seconded by Vice President Tirrell to establish separate consulting contracts with MRI (Don Bliss) and Peter Denutte for their respective services, with approval provided for President March to sign the contracts upon their completion; Motion passed via unanimous voice vote
Grievances – No updates or action
MAFCA Organization Concerns – No update
Hyland and Gilsum Microwave Systems – No update
Beech Hill Site & Cat Den Site – No update
ATV Replacement – No update or action
Tower Site Ownership & Agreements – No update
Customer Communications – No update
New Business:
SimulCast – Due to continued issues with many departments not being satisfied with Simulcast, a motion was made by Vice President Tirrell and seconded by Director Boynton to do away with the use of SimulCast; The motion passed unanimously via voice vote
Banking Modifications – Chief Sangermano provided updates to the Board relative to various System banking functions and operations to be instituted; Additional information will be forthcoming
Personnel / Staff:
Non-Public Session: A motion was made by Director Bazin and seconded by Vice President Tirrell to enter into Non-Public Session, under RSA 91 – A:3, II (a) The Board of Directors, via roll-call confirmation of approval by each individual Board member present, entered into Non-Public Session at 2052 hours, inviting Chief Sangermano and Deputy Chief Lunderville to attend
At 2113 hours, the Board of Directors exited Non-Public Session, and returned to open session, via roll-call confirmation of approval by each individual Board member present; A motion was made by Director Eaton and seconded by Director Tirrell to seal the minutes of the Non-Public Session; Motion passed by unanimous voice vote
New Employee – Chief Sangermano advised the Board that Jack Lyons had been officially hired as part of the Upfit and Radio Shop
Correspondence: None
Open Discussion: None
Next Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday July 23, 2025 @ 1900 hours, to be held at FMA Headquarters
Motion made by Vice President Tirrell and seconded Director Nelson to adjourn; Motion passed
Meeting adjourned at 2130 hours
Respectfully submitted
Director Thomas Goddard