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

Board of Directors' Meeting October 9, 2024

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Director’s Meeting

October 9, 2024 

DIRECTORS PRESENT

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

The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours.

 GUESTS – Chad McMurrer, Chief Cheshire County EMS

                     Kassie Lunderville, Deputy Chief, FMA      

MEETING MINUTES

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

TREASURERS REPORT

Motion made by Director Bazin seconded by Director Goddard to accept 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 $153,815.92

Capital Improve. $5,148.42

Org Checking $34,299.73

Outstanding $6,750.00

1915 meeting at break : Chief McMurrer had to questions for the directors. He asked for us to explain how run cards for the system work, procedures on calls and retones. Chief Sangermano was able to answer his questions and concerns. Chief McMurrer shared with the board how his agency is doing and their willingness to help when needed.

19:34 meeting resumed.

COORDINATORS REPORT

A written report was not available. Motion made by Director Nelson seconded by Director Eaton 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

·         Chief Sangermano gave an update on the status of the Hyland Hill , the road is done, the new 500 gal tanks are in , and the has been worked on and improved for the winter.

·         A report will be coming from the meetings with the Vermont State wide communications survey that had a visit in September.

·         The sewer line from the building to the city line has been fixed.

NEW BUSINESS

·         Chief Sangermano has received a letter from the town of Greenfield that they will be leaving our dispatch center to join MAC base in Milford effective December 9th. The letter stated that they had issues they felt had not been addressed. Chief Sangermano explained to the board that a number of times testing had been done to address the problems that were presented and nothing was found.

·         A motion was made by Director Manning second by Director Eaton to send a letter stating all that has been done by the system to address the problems that Greenfield had stated, and to send it to the town Chief and selectmen.

·         The Chief was asked to write a letter explaining how the board would like to change the building payment the towns pay into a capital reserve account for future upgrades, this was oked by the board.

·         Chief Sangermano gave the board on updates on the grants that have been applied for, no firm answers at this time.

·         THe CAD update has been started.

PERSONNEL ISSUES –None

CORRESPONDENCE-None

OPEN DISCUSSION –None

The meeting was adjourned at 2029 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary

Board of Directors' Meeting September 11, 2024

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid

Board of Director’s Meeting

September 11, 2024 

DIRECTORS PRESENT

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

The meeting was called to order at 1900 hours.       

MEETING MINUTES

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

TREASURERS REPORT

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

August 2024 Account Summaries

Checking $1,034,525.38

Outstanding $820,442.55

MBIA Operation $1,915.17

Buyout $46,183.06

Reserve $42,630.18

RS Checking $10,455.63

Capital Reserve $152,803.36

Capital Improve. $5,148.33

Org Checking $34,296.91

Outstanding $6,750.00 

COORDINATORS REPORT

Motion made by Director Boynton seconded by Director Nelson to accept 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

·         I Am Responding has signed a three year agreement with Fire Mutual Aid          

·         Chief Sangermano gave an update on the status of the Hyland Hill fiber connection is still being worked on. The building has been inspected to see what repairs are needed. The 100 lb propane tanks are being swapped out with three 500 gal tanks.

NEW BUSINESS

·         Vermont State wide communications is planning to visit in September

·         Newfane site will have a new panel installed

·         Meeting with Stratton personnel on Sept. 15 to discuss improvements

·         Chris Coats joined our meeting and stated funding from the state towards our upgrades looks good, approx.. $1,250,000.

·         Changing propane vendors from Amerigas to Davis oil

·         Strategic plan was presented to the Directors with a list of projects that should be addressed

·         Discussion about building payments that have been billed to members, discussion to change the purpose for capital reserve for the system. Chief to write a letter to Chiefs in the system to explain. Motion made by Eaton second for Manning , all in favor for this to take place

·         Crotched radio site has had the front of the building replaced

·         Web site has been updated

·         The Chief had a demo on a new Cad system. Director Goddard made a motion for the Chief to purchase the new Cad system, second by Eaton. All were in favor of the motion.

PERSONNEL ISSUES –None

CORRESPONDENCE-None          

OPEN DISCUSSION –None

The meeting was adjourned at 20:31 hrs.

Respectfully Submitted,

Director Curtis Barnes Secretary