Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 91 The Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund Committee held its ninety-first meeting on Monday January 18, 2005 at 5:00p.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 Kochankski, Laurel Hill Joseph Morse, Citizen Appointee Donald Leary, East Great Plain Karen Mankowski, Occum Members absent were: Richard Podurgiel, City Manager Dennis Davis, City Pension Board Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller/Treasurer Guest: Jessica Herndon, Ledyard student observer Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. 2. Minutes a) Review of last meeting minutes. i. Karen Mankowski was noted as absent, however, was actually in attendance. ii. Motion made to accept the minutes as amended by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Red McKeon. Approved 3. Reports a) Treasurer’s Report: i. December’s Treasurer Report was submitted by Joshua Pothier. Motion made to accept by Donald Leary, seconded by Karen Mankowski. Approved. 4. Communications None 5. Old Business a) Joshua Pothier reported that a memo was sent to the six affected widows that were inappropriately receiving Relief Fund benefits. The memo indicated that benefits would be terminated as of December 31, 2004, and clearly indicated justification of termination of benefits. Mr. Pothier further stated he had only received one negative comment back from one of the recipients that felt the termination of benefits was unfair. The Relief Fund has been reimbursed by the City for incorrectly paid out benefit funds. Further it was determined that Rita LeClair was not deceased. b) Mr. Pothier informed the Committee that Hooker & Holcombe, Inc. would be submitting a final bill for 2004 plan actuarial services and that a final report would follow. He further stated that to the best of his knowledge and the recollection of Mr. Dawkins, neither the City nor the Relief Fund Committee has ever received a formal response from Hooker & Holcombe regarding over-inflated investment assumptions. Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Pothier commented that they would follow up with Hooker & Holcombe. 6. New Business a) Mr. Benoit informed the Committee that election of officers for 2005 was the first order of business. Current officers are Richard Benoit, Chair; Richard Podurgiel, Vice-Chair; Thomas Quinley, Secretary; Joseph Ruffo, Treasurer. Red McKeon made a motion that one ballot be cast for the same slate of officers for 2005, seconded by Joseph Kochanski. Approved. b) Richard Benoit suggested that we suspend the normal rules of order to discuss a new agenda item. Motion made to suspend the rules by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Donald Leary. Approved. c) Refund of Relief Fund contributions requested by Taftville member Cynthia Lonardelli. Mr. Benoit believes that Cynthia has approximately 2 years of qualified service. Thomas Quinley made a motion to refund the appropriate funds for qualified years of service, Joseph Kochanski, seconded. Approved. d) Thomas Quinley made a motion to return to the regular agenda, seconded by Joseph Kochanski. Approved. e) Joseph Kochanski informed the Committee that there is no new information regarding reconstruction of the Laurel Hill Bridge. The Laurel Hill Fire Department has offered the use of their facility to the paid City Department during the time period the bridge would be out of service. At this time no plans have been finalized or details worked out for emergency apparatus or personnel staging. f) Joshua Pothier confirmed that the Fleet Bank Deposit slips for the Relief Fund account are still valid and acceptable to use. g) Donald Leary informed the Committee that he has three new individuals qualified for membership in the Relief Fund and those individuals have provided the $120.00 fee. Individuals are: Stacy L. Gould; Gordon A. Reels Jr.; Lisa A. Ensling. Motion made to approve the new members made by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Karen Mankowski. Approved. h) Joshua Pothier asked that all Department Coordinators highlight the members receiving benefits who had an increase in years-of-service. He further stated that the January Treasurer’s Report will reflect monies deposited by the Volunteer Fire Departments. i) The Committee recognizes that the Relief Fund is due for its every 5th year review for potential enhancements and revisions. A committee and meeting dates will be discussed at the February meeting. j) Mr. Dawkins provided a copy of a Hooker & Holcombe invoice for actuarial services for $425.00 for review and discussion. Motion made by Joseph Morse, seconded by Karen Mankowski to pay the invoice. Approved. k) Thomas Quinley questioned the status of the citizen appointee. He requested a progress update on replacing Miriam Lopez to the Committee. Mr. Dawkins responded that the appointment of a new individual is in progress, however, at this time he could not provide the name of the individual. l) Donald Leary, East Great Plain, raised the question regarding members over the age of 65, and could they participate in the plan? A quick review of the ordinance, indicates that members over the age of 65 cannot purchase additional years of service, however, this item will be investigated further as part of the ongoing 2005 review and revision process.  7. Other Business 8. Adjournment a) Motion made to adjourn by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Red McKeon. b) Meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Thomas Quinley February 14, 2005