Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 83 The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held its eighty-third meeting on Monday, May 12, 2003 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 Gregory Ensling, East Great Plains Joshua Pothier, Deputy Comptroller Thomas Dawkins, Personnel Manager Richard Podurgiel, City Manager Members absent were: Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller/Treasurer Joseph Morse, Citizen Appointee Miriam Lopez, Citizen Appointee Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. 2. MINUTES a) Review of last meeting minutes. Motion made to accept minutes as read by Greg Ensling. Seconded by Red McKeon. Approved. 3. REPORTS a) Treasurer’s Report: The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Treasurer’s Report for February and March 2003 were provided for distribution. Motion made by Thomas Quinley to accept the report. Seconded by Greg Ensling. Approved. 4. COMMUNICATIONS None 5. OLD BUSINESS a) Topic of discussion related to Federal Public Service Death Benefit: Red McKeon provided information that members of Volunteer Fire  Departments less than 18 years of age will not be eligible for the $261,000.00 Federal Death Benefit nor the $10,000.00 State Death Benefit if they do not have a current record of physical examination on file and current certifications (Firefighter I or EMT). b) Red McKeon reinforced the fact that firefighters/EMT personnel should not be reporting to calls if they are over the legal alcohol limit of 0.08. A round table discussion ensued related to the use of alcohol by members and the incidence of reporting to emergency calls with alcohol onboard. The Committee agreed unanimously that in the best interest of the Volunteer Fire Departments and the City of Norwich, members should refrain from reporting to calls when there is any question of alcohol use. c) Greg Ensling, East Great Plains Department, delivered the 2002 EGP Summary Report for Plan participation. A total of $2,640.00 was delivered to the City Treasurer for deposit in c/o the Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund (Check number 4530, dated January 12, 2003). 6. NEW BUSINESS a) Representatives from the Occum Fire Department indicated that Rudy Beauregard will be eligible to begin collecting Relief Fund benefits in June 2003. However no paperwork has been submitted to the Committee for review and approval. Due to the next meeting not being held until September, Richard Podurgiel made a motion, seconded by Tom Quinley, that benefits shall begin once the appropriate paperwork has been submitted for review and approval by the Personnel Director and the Comptroller. Motion approved. b) Greg Ensling presented a letter from Stephen Dubicki, Jr. requesting a refund of money paid into the Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund. Mr. Dubicki believes he has approximately 5 years of service. Committee discussed his request and a motion was made by Richard Podurgiel, seconded by Tom Quinley, that the years of qualified service will be verified and the appropriate amount refunded to Mr. Dubicki. Approved. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Next meeting will be September 8, 2003 at 5:00 pm. 8. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Thomas Quinley and seconded by Richard Benoit. Approved, meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley May 12, 2003