Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 90 The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held its ninetieth meeting on Monday, December 13, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. in room 209, City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut. 1. ROLL CALL Members present were: Richard Benoit, Taftville Thomas Quinley, Yantic Joshua Pothier, Deputy Comptroller Thomas Dawkins, Personnel Manager Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Joseph Kochanski, Laurel Hill Joseph Morse, Citizen Appointee Richard Podurgiel, City Manager Gregory Ensling, East Great Plain Donald Leary, East Great Plain Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller/Treasurer Members absent were: Dennis Davis, City Pension Board Karen Mankowski, Occum Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. 2. MINUTES a) Review of last meeting minutes. Motion made to accept minutes as read by Greg Ensling. Seconded by Joseph Kochanski. Approved. 3. REPORTS a) Treasurer’s Report: August – November, 2004, were reviewed. Motion was made by Red McKeon to accept the report as provided. Seconded by Thomas Quinley. Approved. 4. COMMUNICATIONS a) A Hooker & Holcombe invoice was received for exempt Actuarial Services for Volunteer Fire Departments through October 31, 2004. Amount due: $700.00. Motion made to pay invoice by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Red McKeon. Approved. 5. OLD BUSINESS a) A question was raised by Thomas Quinley, as to the progress of finding a citizen member to replace Miriam Lopez on the Committee.  Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Podurgiel stated that no forward progress had been made as of yet. An open action item remains for Mr. Benoit and Mr. Podurgiel to solicit a new citizen member to the Committee from the City Council. Mr. Podurgiel stated the next City Council meeting that this item could be discussed would be January 3, 2005. 6. NEW BUSINESS a) Mr. Podurgiel made a motion for suspension of normal meeting rules so that new paper work could be introduced for discussion and action. Seconded by Greg Ensling. Approved. a. East Great Plain introduced paperwork for three members to receive refunds: Steven M. Dubicki, Jr. with four years of certified service as reported by Deputy Chief Roger Snell; Daniel O’Brien, years of service to be determined; and Walter M. Affek, years of service to be determined. b. Taftville introduced paperwork for the refund of all monies contributed by Mr. Paul R. Cote. Total years of service, 22. Member recently deceased, and in accordance with State of Connecticut Probate Court Documentation, refund shall be paid to the estate of Paul Raymond Cote (04-0497). Fiduciary’s name: Nancy A. Miclette and Joanne M. Schlough. c. Occum introduced a member who is requesting refund: Edward J. Smith. Total years of service: two, to be verified. Motion made by Richard Podurgiel to approve refund requests pending verification of years of service. Seconded by Thomas Quinley. Approved. b) Motion made by Richard Podurgiel to return to the regular agenda and continue with the meeting. Seconded by Red McKeon. Approved. c) Mr. Ruffo stated that recently it was discovered that a mistake had been initiated by the Finance Office regarding the distribution of spousal benefits for deceased Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund Members. A revision to Ordinance No. 1443, adopted January 8, 2001, provided for spousal benefits for members that were 65 years of age or younger and active within their respective Departments. Unfortunately, 6 spouses received unqualified benefits as far back as April 7, 2001. All personnel involved were over 65 years of age and/or not active at time of ordinance adoption and therefore do not qualify for spouse benefit. At time of payment initiation, none of the requests were brought before the Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund Committee for review and approval. A motion to curtail all benefits to these individuals and seek  reimbursement from the City for benefit payments improperly paid out; further it was requested that a letter be drafted by the City Comptroller to explain the mistake and notify the recipients of the cessation of payments effective December 31, 2004 by Thomas Quinley. Seconded by Red McKeon. Approved by majority, one opposed. It was noted that the Ordinance is due for review and revision in 2005. This topic will be examined more closely for potential enhancements. d) Mr. Quinley stated that a member from Yantic, Henry Perkowski, recently turned 55 years of age on November 21, 2004, and has 25 years of credited service. Mr. Perkowski will submit his application for benefits. Motion made by Thomas Quinley to approve Mr. Perkowski’s payment of benefits once all required paperwork has been submitted to the Finance Office for review and approval. Seconded, by Richard Podurgiel. Approved. e) Greg Ensling informed the Committee that Donald Leary is officially replacing Mr. Ensling as the member on the Committee from EGP. Mr. Benoit welcomed Mr. Leary to the Committee and thanked Mr. Ensling for his commitment and service to the Committee. f) Red McKeon restated to the Committee that the Public Service Officer’s Death Benefit is currently $275,658.00. Red wanted to reinforce to everyone that in order for families to collect on that death benefit, periodic physicals must be performed and completed satisfactorily and be on file with the respective departments. The physical is a pre-requisite for the Benefit. 7. OTHER BUSINESS a) Next regularly scheduled meeting to be determined and members notified by mail. 8. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Richard Podurgiel and seconded by Thomas Quinley. Approved, meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley January 18, 2005