Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting #101, January 29, 2007 The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held its 101st meeting on Monday, January 29, 2007, 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 Karen Mankowski, Occum Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Donald Leary, East Great Plain Members absent were: Joshua Pothier, Deputy Comptroller Dennis Davis, City Pension Board Member Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller/Treasurer Robert Zarnestke, City Manager Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. 2. Minutes: The December meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Karen Mankowski, seconded by Donald Leary. Approved. 3. Reports: a. Treasurer Report: The October, November, and December Treasurer’s reports were presented and reviewed. A motion to accept the reports as presented was made by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Joseph Kochanski with a request that Mr. Dawkins contact Mr. Pothier and have him email the Committee with information regarding the Citizens’ Bank CD that was scheduled to mature on January 2, 2007. Approved, with the request. 4. Communications: None 5. Old Business: a. Mr. Dawkins provided the Hooker & Holcombe report to the Committee. The City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund Plan prepared for January 1, 2006; report date submitted January 11, 2007. 1. Motion made to accept the 14-page report by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Thomas Dawkins. Approved. 6. New Business a. Election of Officers: 1. Motion made by Mr. Kochanski that the same officers by re-elected to their same posts: Mr. Benoit for Chairman; Mr. Dawkins for Vice-Chairman; Mr. Quinley for Secretary; and Mr. Pothier for Treasurer. Motion seconded by Mr. Leary, approved. b. Mr. Quinley presented the Yantic Fire Engine Company #1 End-of-Year status report for Relief Fund participation. Mr. Quinley noted that Francis Claffey had increased years of service to 31 and David Lathrop had increased his years of service to 28. Mr. Quinley also noted that Peter Cuprak now becomes eligible to collect benefits from the Relief Fund for 20 years of service. Mr. Kochanski made a motion to accept the End-of-Year report and to begin payments of benefits once the appropriate paperwork has been submitted to the City of Norwich Comptroller’s Office. Motion seconded by Mr. Leary, approved. c. Donald Leary, EGP, commended Joshua Pothier for amending the 1099 forms. d. Donald Leary presented the EGP End-of-Year status report for Relief Fund participation. Mr. Leary noted that Donald Leary increased years of service to 35, and Thomas Leffingwell increased his years of service to 23. Motion to accept year-end report and increased years of service made by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Karen Mankowski. Approved. e. New applicants to the Relief Fund 1. EGP presented four (4) new applicants for Relief Fund membership: Malchman, James; Malone, Alicia; Raymond, Nathaniel; and Winski, Allen. 2. Motion made to accept new applicants from EGP by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Joseph Kochanski. Approved. f. Mr. Quinley stated that based on the last meeting, he had committed to getting together with Mr. Red McKeon to ensure that his concerns were accurately reflected in the meeting minutes. At the meeting, Mr. McKeon expressed his opinion that he believed he should be allowed to buy 3 years of fire service, 1996-98, and two years of military time, 1951-52, for a total of 35 year of active service. Based on Mr. Quinley’s review of Mr. McKeon’s paperwork, his affiliation with other fire-related associations and committees, Mr. Quinley prepared a proposed justification for “Certification of Service” for Robert “Red” McKeon. Mr. Quinley read the proposal to the Committee (see attachment), discussion ensued: Mr. Dawkins inquired how the time spent with the other organizations could be correlated to 20% fire/EMS calls and 20% drills. It was confirmed that Red’s last year of active service was 1995 and there was no hard data for active service post 1995. Karen Mankowski then stated there was another Occum member who was interested in buying back time if Red’s alternate time is accepted. Mr. Benoit commented that if the Committee accepts this proposal, it would open up alternate methods for past retirees to pursue additional years of buy-back. Mr. Dawkins  came back to the fundamental question: is this time spent with other organizations, truly equivalent time for drills and calls and valuable time to the Relief Fund and City? Mr. Leary stated that we all understand that we would not have the Relief Fund we have today if it wasn’t for the forward thinking and good works of Red McKeon. However, if we consider and construe other service as equivalent to active duty time, it is clearly a reach. Mr. Kochanski stated one of the safe guards built into the Relief Fund Ordinance is that you must be active in order to participate and that is very cut and dry. Mr. Dawkins made a motion to accept the alternate service proposal for Red McKeon, seconded by Joseph Kochanski. Vote taken to approve or disapprove the proposal: the Committee unanimously voted to disapprove the proposal. The Committee thanked Red for his continued support and service to the City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund and its activities. The Committee stated that it hopes Mr. McKeon understands that the Committee has exhaustively reviewed all avenues for potential buy-back and that the topic is now closed. g. Karen Mankowski stated that there appears to be three (3) individuals from Occum with 30 years of service that are being paid at the $8.00 versus the $10.00 rate since the 2000 revision. Their payment was never increased with the Relief Fund upgrade. The three individuals are: R. Lambert, J. Jakubowski, and Roland McKeon. Ms. Mankowski also stated there is a question with Carmen Coletti’s service time because some City documentation reflects 20 years and other documentation reflects 25 years. Thomas Quinley made a motion for Karen Mankowski to meet with the officers of Occum and with Joshua Pothier to determine the current status for these individuals and what needs to be corrected. Further Mr. Quinley requested that she prepare a detailed letter with all the information and appropriate certification forms relating to these individuals and their status, to present to the Committee at the next meeting for resolution. Motion seconded by Mr. Kochanski, approved. Next meeting to be held February 12, 2007. Motion made to adjourn by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Mr. Dawkins. Meeting adjourned 1808, Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley February 12, 2007