Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 80 The Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Committee held its eightieth meeting on Monday, December 9, 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 Joseph Kochanski, Laurel Hill Dennis Davis, City Pension Board Karen Mankowski, Occum Richard Podurgiel, City Manager Members absent were: Gregory Ensling, East Great Plains Miriam Lopez, Citizen Appointee Joseph Morse, Citizen Appointee Joseph Ruffo, Treasurer Meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. by Richard Benoit. 2. MINUTES The meeting minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted with two minor corrections in sections 6b) and 7e) where the term “Pension” was changed to read “Relief Fund”. Motion made for approval by Dennis Davis, seconded by Joseph Kochanski. Approved. 3. REPORTS A) Treasurer’s Report: a) It was noted by Mr. Benoit that there were several incorrect dates referenced on the September, October, and November Summary Reports. b) There was a brief discussion regarding the Pensions refunded during September 2002: why those disbursements had not come before the Committee for review and approval prior to funds being paid; and whether the figure of $1,340.14 was accurate. (Member refunds of $60.00 versus $84.00 per year.)  c) Motion was made by Tom Quinley that all future disbursements are to come before the Committee for review and approval and to work with Joe Ruffo to get the Treasurer’s Report date errors corrected and to verify the accuracy of the Pensions refunded for those members in September. New reports will be provided at the next meeting. Seconded by Dennis Davis. Approved. B) Communications: a) The Committee received a letter dated November 5, 2002 from Hooker & Holcombe, Inc. Re: City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund Investment Return Assumption of 6.5 %. A motion was made by Tom Quinley to accept the letter, noting that the assumptions contained within the letter are valid but are not reflective of our investment strategy. That feedback will be provided to H & H, Inc. via a letter in January 2003. Seconded by Dennis Davis. Approved. b) Motion made by Tom Quinley and seconded by Richard Podurgiel not to perform an Actuarial Evaluation in 2003 and the next earliest date to be considered will be 2004. Approved. 4. OLD BUSINESS None 5. NEW BUSINESS a) Mr. Benoit requested a suspension of Rules. Motion made by Richard Podurgiel, seconded by Tom Quinley. Approved. b) The Committee received the Application For Benefits from Joseph L. Caisse, Sr. for 23 years of service with the Taftville Volunteer Fire Company as of September 9, 2002. Benefit payments were requested to begin on November 15, 2002. Motion was made by Richard Podurgiel and seconded by Dennis Davis to approve the Benefit payment to Mr. Caisse. Approved. c) Motion was made by Dennis Davis and seconded by Joe Kochanski to return to the Rules of Order and regular agenda. Approved. d) Review and approval of the proposed Committee meeting dates for 2003. Motion was made by Tom Quinley and seconded by Dennis Davis to approve the following meeting dates for 2003: a) January 13, 2003 b) February 10, 2003 c) May 12, 2003 d) September 8, 2003 e) December 8, 2003 Approved. e) Committee member Karen Mankowski brought up a topic of discussion regarding Cadet members in the Occum Department and whether they can join the Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund. The Committee had a  brief discussion on the subject and determined that while the Cadets do not technically meet the requirement of being a regular firefighter, they do in some cases possess a level of training that may include Firefighter I and or EMT. Motion made by Tom Quinley and seconded by Dennis Davis to table this discussion until the January meeting so that more information could be obtained as to how State and Federal Organizations view “Cadet” firefighters. A one-month extension has also been extended to these members in question for payment of Relief Fund dues. 6. OTHER BUSINESS None 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Dennis Davis and seconded by Thomas Quinley. Approved, meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley January 13, 2003