Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 76 The Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee held its seventy-sixth meeting on Monday, January 14, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. in room 209, City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut. 1. ROLL CALL Members present were: Richard Benoit, Taftville Thomas Quinley, Yantic Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Dennis Davis Karen Mankowski, Occum Joseph Morse Richard Podurgiel, Personnel Director Joseph Ruffo, Treasurer Members absent were: Hal Burdo William Tallman, City Manager Gregory Ensling, East Great Plains Joseph Kochanski, Laurel Hill Meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. by Richard Benoit. 2. MINUTES a) Minutes were reviewed; no corrections. A motion was made by Richard Podurgiel, seconded Red McKeon. Minutes were approved. 3. REPORTS a) Received December Treasurer’s Report. Motion made by Tom Quinley, seconded by Dennis Davis. Report accepted. Note: November Treasurer’s Report to be presented at the next meeting. b) Brief discussion was held regarding the Pension Plan participant information requested by Hooker & Holcombe Actuaries. c) Participant updates have been received from Yantic and Laurel Hill. Other volunteer departments will provide updated information at the next meeting. 4. COMMUNICATIONS None 5. OLD BUSINESS a) There was a brief discussion held by committee members regarding the recent rollover of Relief Fund Pension money into various local bank certificates. Joe Ruffo stated that Bill Murray, City Treasurer, had made the investments. Members of the Relief Fund Committee and the City Comptroller would have preferred pre-investment discussions with the City Treasurer prior to any investment decisions. U.S. Treasury Notes were not purchased during the most recent re-investment of accounts. Bill Murray will be invited to the next Committee meeting for further discussions pertaining to investment policy. Primary topic will be to review the processes related to how investments are selected and implemented. Joe Ruffo has the action item to coordinate Bill Murray attending the next Relief Fund meeting. b) Tom Quinley briefly reviewed the status of EGP members/officers and recent buy-back requests made by Don Leary and Pat Daley. Don Leary’s buy-back was approved and processed at the last meeting and Pat Daley has withdrawn his request. c) Election of officers. Election of officers for the Relief Fund Committee for the year 2002 was held. Nomination was made to re-elect the current slate of officers for the coming year. Motion made by Dennis Davis, seconded by Karen Mankowski. Motion approved. a) Chairman: Richard Benoit b) Vice-Chairman: Richard Podurgiel c) Treasurer: Joseph Ruffo d) Secretary: Thomas Quinley Motion made by Karen Mankowski that nominations be closed, seconded by Red McKeon. Motion approved, Secretary to cast one ballot for the elected officers. Slate of officers elected for the year 2002. d) A former Taftville member approached Richard Benoit requesting to buy-back service time. Mr. Benoit investigated the member’s request and determined that the member had retired from active fire service in the mid-1970’s and therefore was ineligible to buy-back any time in accordance with Relief Fund requirements. The Relief Fund Committee concurred with Mr. Benoit’s conclusion and the matter is considered closed. e) New forms for Request of Benefits will be distributed to members of the Committee at the next meeting. 6. NEW BUSINESS a) Regarding the request of full and final distribution of funds by Walter M. Affek, dated 12-04-01, Richard Podurgiel made a motion that Mr. Affek be refunded monies owed pending certification of service time. Seconded by Thomas Quinley, motion approved. b) Tom Quinley stated that one Yantic member would be purchasing 2 years of military buy-back time in accordance with most recent revision to the  Relief Fund Ordinance. Certification of service will be forthcoming at the February meeting. c) Dick Benoit reminded all volunteer fire companies that money for 2001 must be deposited and summary reports are due at the February meeting. 7. OTHER BUSINESS None 8. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Red McKeon, seconded by Dennis Davis meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley February 11, 2002