Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee Minutes Special Meeting June 4, 2007 The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 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 Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Joshua Pothier, Deputy Comptroller Donald Leary, East Great Plain Karen Mankowski, Occum Members absent were: 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. 1. Minutes a. The meeting minutes from May 14, 2007 were reviewed. A correction to the minutes was noted – Thomas Quinley was absent from the meeting. A motion was made by Thomas Quinley and seconded by Karen Mankowski, to approve the meeting minutes with the correction. Approved. 2. Reports: 1. Treasurer’s Report – None available per Josh Pothier due to the meeting be so close to the end of the month. 3. Communications: None 4. Old Business a. Tom Quinley questioned whether Ken Leo’s pension payments were on track or were there other issues. Mr. Pothier stated that all paperwork was in order and retroactive payments would be made for April, May and June. 5. New Business a. Committee members discussed their displeasure with the performance and lack of interest by North Pointe Investment Partners, i.e.: Bruce Sabourin. Thomas Quinley mad a motion that due to North Pointe’s lack of interest and failure to show up for  multiple scheduled special meetings with the Committee that the Committee terminate its association with North Pointe immediately. Seconded by Donald Leary, approved unanimously. The Committee will follow-up with a termination letter if requested by North Pointe. b. A motion by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Donald Leary to suspend the rules. Approved. c. A communication was received Mr. Sharron regarding the appointment of Robert “Red” McKeon as a citizen appointee from the Democratic Town Committee. Mr. Quinley initiated a discussion amongst the Committee members regarding a potential conflict of interest regarding Mr. McKeon’s appointment. Mr. Quinley further stated that citizen appointees should not come from the ranks of the Fire Service. The Committee recommended that this letter from Mr. Sharron be forwarded to the City Manager for review and recommendation and the City Council for action. Mr. McKeon stated three separate times during the meeting that he has not been an active member of the Occum Fire Company since 1998 and does not perceive this to be a conflict of interest. This letter is pending action by the City Manager and City Council. d. Mr. Benoit noted that Dennis Davis is no longer a member of the City Personnel and Pension Board as of January 1, 2007; therefore, the Committee will be soliciting a new member to replace Dennis on the VFRF Committee. e. Based on Mr. Zarnestke’ s request to perform a calculation of Red McKeon’s proposal of the buy back of time, it was found that it would result in a 27% increase in monthly payouts if Mr. McKeon and similar retirees were allowed such a buy- back option. The approximate cost would be monthly payments ranging from $14,200 to $18,000 per month. The short-term result would be significant annual increases to the plan or the plan would suffer near-term bankruptcy. Based on the information presented, Mr. Red McKeon concurs with not paying inactive participants. The Committee considers this issue closed. Motion made to adjourn by Thomas Dawkins, seconded by Donald Leary. Approved. Meeting adjourned at 1737 hrs. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G. Quinley October 10, 2006