Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 75 The Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee held its seventy-fifth meeting on Monday, December 10, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. in room 209, City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut. 1. ROLL CALL Members present were: Richard Benoit, Taftville Thomas Quinley, Yantic Gregory Ensling, East Great Plains Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Joseph Kochanski, Laurel Hill Dennis Davis Karen Mankowski, Occum Joseph Morse Don Leary, guest (EGP) Members absent were: Hal Burdo William Tallman, City Manager Richard Podurgiel, Personnel Director Joseph Ruffo, Treasurer Meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. by Richard Benoit. 2. MINUTES a) Minutes were reviewed; a correction was made to add Karen Mankowski to members absent for meeting #74. Minutes were approved with correction, motion made by Dennis Davis, seconded by Joe Kochanski. Minutes were approved. 3. REPORTS a) Financial Report summaries were presented to the Committee for review and approval for the months of September and October. Note: no November report was provided. Treasurer’s reports were tabled after brief discussion regarding certificate(s) rollovers being performed without communication/input from the Relief Fund Committee membership. Motion made by Thomas Quinley and seconded by Dennis Davis. Approved unanimously pending further explanation of long-term rollovers. 4. COMMUNICATIONS a) Received proposed Public Notice for meeting dates from Richard Podurgiel for the City of Norwich Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee for the year 2002. b) Received a memo dated 12/04/01 from Walter M. Affek regarding his request for full and final distribution of all funds that are currently on deposit with the Relief Fund. 5. OLD BUSINESS a) A brief discussion was held regarding two EGP firefighters requesting buyback information. Don Leary presented paperwork detailing his request to buyback eight years of prior service. Don provided a memo dated 12/01/01, detailing his years of service from 1985 to 1992 as Deputy Chief and Chief of East Great Plains Fire Department. At this time a motion was made for suspension of rules by Thomas Quinley and seconded by Joe Kochanski to discuss East Great Plains buy-back details. Approved. Don Leary explained that for the year 2000, he was active and purchased his 21st year of service and for the year 2001 he will be purchasing his 22nd year of service. Don also provided a Certification of Service form detailing his years of service, 1985 – 1992, certified by Fire Chief Pat Daley, dated 12/01/01. Mr. Leary also provided a check for purchasing the eight years of prior service, which was submitted to Mr. Ruffo’s office. Mr. Leary also reported that the second EGP member interested in buy-back of service time, Chief Pat Daley, was no longer interested in pursuing this matter. At this time a motion was made to return to the regular agenda by Thomas Quinley and seconded by Joe Kochanski. Approved. 6. NEW BUSINESS a) Motion was made by Dennis Davis to allow the buy-back of eight years of prior service completed by Mr. Don Leary at EGP. Motion seconded by Thomas Quinley. Approved. b) There has been no further communication from the Yantic firefighter regarding general Relief Fund questions pertaining to an electrical injury that occurred at the YFD station, unrelated to fire service. The injured firefighter was working for a private contractor at the station when the accident occurred. No further requests for information have been received by the Relief Fund Committee or Mr. Podurgiel. c) Letter from Mr. Walter M. Affek, EGP member, requesting refund of monies. A motion was made to table this letter and request until the January meeting by Dennis Davis, seconded by Thomas Quinley until the proper form is submitted detailing years of service, etc. Approved. Note: suspect requested refund would be for 1-2 years of service. d) Relief Fund Committee meeting dates for the year 2002 are as follows: January 14, 2002; February 11, 2002; May 13, 2002; September 9, 2002; December 9, 2002. Dates were reviewed by Committee members. A  motion was made by Red McKeon and seconded by Thomas Quinley to accept the dates as proposed. Approved. e) Red McKeon stated that effective 10/06/01, the Federal Public Officers Death Benefit was increased from $151,000 to $251,000 based on public/legislative requests stemming from September 11, 2001 World Trade Center event. f) Richard Benoit reminded everyone to get his or her pension paperwork in order for the year 2001 and the fee is now $120. g) Next Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 14, 2002. 7. OTHER BUSINESS None 8. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Dennis Davis and seconded by Red McKeon, meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley January 14, 2002