Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting # 94 The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held its ninety-fourth meeting on Monday September 12, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. in room 209, City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut. 1. Roll Call Members present were: Richard Benoit, Taftville Thomas Quinley, Yantic Thomas Dawkins, Personnel Manager Joseph Kochanski, Laurel Hill Richard Podurgiel, City Manager Donald Leary, East Great Plain Karen Mankowski, Occum Joshua Pothier, Deputy Comptroller Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Members absent were: Joseph Morse, Citizen Appointee – resigned due to retirement and moved from the area. Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller/Treasurer Dennis Davis, City Pension Board Robert Zarnestke, Assistant City Manager Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. 2. Minutes a) Review of last meeting minutes. i. Motion made to accept the minutes by Red McKeon, seconded by Donald Leary. Approved 3. Reports a) Treasurer’s Report: i. May, June and July Treasurer’s Reports were presented to the Committee. ii. A motion was made to correct the reports to reflect the pensions paid out during the three months – May, June and July, and accept the reports as modified. Motion made by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Donald Leary. Approved. 4. Communications None 5. Old Business a) A motion was made to accept the Hooker & Holcombe Actuarial Report dated May 4, 2005 as presented and attached to the meeting minutes #93 by Red McKeon, seconded by Donald Leary. Accepted. 6. New Business a) Death benefits for Michael Coffey ere reviewed and it was determined that the accumulated funds amounted to approximately $3,106.74. Karen Mankowski and the Comptrollers and Personnel Offices confirmed that Louise E. Coffey is the beneficiary. Motion made Richard Podurgiel, seconded by Thomas Quinley to refund all monies to Louise E. Coffey. Approved. b) Taftville presented an application for benefits package for Daniel J. Auger. Mr. Benoit confirms that Mr. Auger has 30 years of qualifying service and requests that benefits begin on November 1, 2005. Motion made by Richard Podurgiel, seconded by Thomas Quinley. Approved. c) Taftville reported that Mr. John Wonnacott and his family have applied for military buy-back time and death benefits. With the two years of buy-back time, John will have a total credited service time of 21 years. Based on documented service time and application of benefits by his wife Vivian, the Committee agreed that once the paper work has been accepted and processed, benefits should commence. Motion made to accept the request and begin payment was made by Thomas Dawkins, seconded by Dennis Leary. Approved. d) Red McKeon reported that the Good Samaritan FireFighter Act has been passed. Reference H.R. 1088/S. 766. This legislation limits the liability of companies and fire departments that donate surplus equipment to volunteer fire departments. e) Red McKeon mentioned to the Committee that if any fire personnel are planning to go to New Orleans to help with relief efforts, they must get their respective department’s permission.  f) Red McKeon mentioned that more information should be coming out in the next several months regarding a $1,000 Federal Tax Credit. g) PSOB - Public Service Officer’s Death Benefit (PSOB). Red McKeon reported that PSOB for 2004 totaled approximately 100 personnel. h) The 2005 draft revisions to the Volunteer Firefighter’s Relief Fund Ordinance are requested to be sent to Hooker & Holcombe for further evaluation and recommendation. Motion made by Richard Podurgiel and seconded by Thomas Quinley to send the draft, for H&H to evaluate and report back results for the December 12, 2005 meeting. Approved. i) Committee received a resignation from Mr. Jack Morse due to his recent retirement and change of residence to Florida. Further it was discussed that new potential citizen candidates to fill open slots on the Committee should be forwarded to Richard Podurgiel for consideration. Motion made by Joseph Kochanski and seconded by Thomas Quinley to accept Mr. Morse’s resignation and for Mr. Podurgiel to work on getting new citizen appointees assigned to the Committee. j) Red McKeon suggested that a letter of thank you should be sent to Jack Morse from Richard Benoit for his support and faithful years of service to the Committee. Mr. Benoit agreed to draft a letter and send it along. Motion made by Richard Podurgiel, seconded by Thomas Quinley to adjourn the meeting. Approved. Meeting adjourned at 1740 hours. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley December 12, 2005