Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee

City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee Minutes Meeting #108, February 25, 2008 The Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Fund Committee held its 108th meeting on Monday, February 25, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. in room 209, City Hall, Norwich, Connecticut. 1. Roll Call Members present were: Richard Benoit, Taftville Thomas Dawkins, Personnel Manager Karen Mankowski, Occum Donald Leary, East Great Plain Joshua Pothier, Assistant Comptroller Brian Curtin, City Treasurer Frank Davis, Citizen Appointee Thomas Quinley, Yantic Red McKeon, Occum/Past Chairman Members absent were: Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller Joseph Kochanski/Edward Martin, Laurel Hill Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. 2. Minutes: Mr. Benoit reported that the minutes from the January meeting would be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting. 3. Reports: Treasurer Report: The January 31st Treasurer’s Report was presented. Mr. Curtin reported that there was a negative amount reflected in the Checking Account as far back as November due to a clerical error. That error has been corrected. Then he stated that the funds were distributed to the Financial Administrator/Actuary (Hooker & Holcombe) as of February 25, 2008. Proposed specific distribution and allocation of funds by the Financial Advisor, Hooker & Holcombe has not been finalized with the Committee as of this date. Mr. Quinley made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, seconded by Thomas Dawkins. Approved. 4. Communications: None 5. Old Business: None 6. New Business a. The acceptance by the Committee of each of the respective Departments’ year-end summaries for the Volunteer Firefighter participation:  1. Taftville 2. Yantic 3. Occum 4. East Great Plain 5. Laurel Hill – Mr. Pothier will email this summary to each Committee member. A motion was made to accept the reports provided, noting that Laurel Hill’s report will be provided to Committee members by the Comptroller’s Office by Thomas Quinley, seconded by Karen Mankowski. Approved. b. New members: Taftville presented Ryan Boulanger for membership and service for 2007. Motion made by Thomas Quinley to accept the new member. Thomas Dawkins seconded the motion. Approved. Occum presented Darrell Dunnam for membership and service 2007. Motion made by Thomas Quinley to accept the new member, seconded by Thomas Dawkins. Approved. East Great Plain presented four candidates for membership: Robert Deckert, Laura Smith, Larry Smith and Sherwood Raymond Jr. Motion made by Thomas Quinley to accept the new member. Joshua Pothier seconded the motion. Approved. c. Mr. Quinley confirmed with Mr. Pothier that it was clear on each of the respective Department summary reports those members who were increasing years of service that are already receiving benefits so that their checks would be adjusted appropriately. Mr. Pothier reviewed each of the reports and stated that the increases were clearly noted. He further stated there would be no problems adjusting those members’ checks accordingly. d. Karen Mankowski, Occum, stated that Mr. Michael Thomas died on January 31, 2008 and left no beneficiary. e. Light Duty: The Committee discussed the issue of “light duty” status in the event of injury for Volunteer Firefighters with regard to members meeting the requirements of the Relief Fund Plan and Tax Abatement service requirements. Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Benoit stated that there is no “light duty” qualification. 1. For non-volunteer firefighter related injuries that incapacitate the individual (i.e. prevent the individual from performing normal firefighter duties, Workman’s Compensation injuries), no attendance and no credit shall be given with regard to meeting the 20% emergency call and 20% drill requirement until formally medically- cleared by a physician. Clearance must be documented in writing. 2. For fire-related injuries, credit for attendance cannot be granted until formally medically cleared as noted above. Loss of participation time as the result of fire- related injury will not be counted against the member’s over-all yearly participation. The Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee will review each case where a  member’s participation is in question due to a fire-related injury for assuring pro- rating the individual’s credit for the affected year. Mr. Quinley recommended that Mr. Dawkins formulate a draft policy statement regarding “light duty” and fire related/non-fire related injury qualifiers for participation in the Relief Fund Plan and Tax Abatement. Committee members agreed that the Plan should have a formal policy. Mr. Dawkins stated it would be no problem to draft a policy statement in the next week or so and he would email the draft to all Committee members. Mr. Dawkins asked the Committee members if they would have any issue with him providing a copy of the draft policy statement to the Chief of the City Fire Department for information only. The Committee members stated that there was no problem with the Chief receiving a copy for information only. Mr. Dawkins stated that this policy statement would help in justifying personnel for the upcoming Federal $1,000 exemption. Mr. Quinley asked the Committee and specifically Mr. Pothier, if there was any provision for pro-rating an individual’s annual service with regard to qualifying for the Tax Abatement (i.e. if the individual had made greater than 20% of emergency calls for the year but not been a member for the full year – could that individual qualify for the Tax Abatement?). Mr. Pothier stated that the qualifications are clear for both the Relief Fund and Tax Abatement programs, there is no pro-rating allowed. The individual must be a member for a full year to qualify. Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Quinley and seconded by Thomas Dawkins. Approved. Meeting adjourned 1745. Respectfully Submitted, Thomas G Quinley, Secretary May 12, 2008