CSH FIRE DISTRICT MEETING OCTOBER 18, 2011 7:00 P.M.

MINUTES

The Chair opened the meeting at 7 p.m. Commissioner Nielsen, Commissioner GIarraputo, and District Secretary/Treasurer Herbert present. Commissioner Palatella excused. Commissioner OBrien absent. At 7:08 p.m. Commissioner Hafner joined the meeting and a quorum was established. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Chair explained the procedure and order for this evenings public hearing on the proposed budget. The District Secretary advised she is doing a government census about the district and will consult with district counsel Glass before submitting it. The Chief has not yet provided the info required for the Town reimbursement for Hurricane Irene related costs and expenses. The District Secretary advised that the office is busy at present and the departure of the receptionist will need to be addressed. Commissioner Giarraputo said he wanted to discuss personnel in his House Committee report, and made a motion to increase the District Treasurers office hours to 25 or 30 hours per week, minimum 25 hours; he then amended his motion to in crease the Treasurers hours from 16 to 25 per week. Chair Nielsen seconded his motion. Discussion ensued on the savings from the receptionists salary and the increased workload on the District Secretary and Treasurer. Vote called; Hafner, nay; Giarraputo, aye; Nielsen, aye; motion failed. The Chair asked the Treasurer about the bills. There has been a proposal received from Crystal to provide water and coffee to the firehouse at a cost savings over the current vendor. Currently paying $39/month; proposal for $10/month. Commissioner Giarraputo made a motion to switch vendors; Chair Nielsen seconded; vote called: Hafner, nay; Giarraputo, aye; Nielsen, aye; motion failed. Discussion ensued over the expenses submitted by Dan Froehlich for the fire prevention program in the park. The total cost for the day was $468.86 plus $266 previously authorized. Commissioner Hafner made a motion to pay the voucher. There was no second. Question as to how much was budgeted. Chair Nielsen advised that HelloAlert would be providing cost estimates for the installation of a pole and antenna at the edge of the high school property as well as further detail on the console, telephone system and computers in the firehouse. Initial proposal he submitted was at the high end. Commissioner Giarraputo said his house committee report was preempted by the earlier discussion of additional hours for the treasurer. Commissioner Hafner advised he had no report for the Truck Committee. District Secretary provided details to the Board on a emergency response to CS Hills on th September 26 . Motion made to adjourn by Chair; second by Commissioner Giarraputo; all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

CSH FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET HEARING OCTOBER 18, 2011 8:00 P.M. MINUTES

Chair Nielsen opened the hearing at 8:03 p.m. and took roll call: The Chair and Commissioners Giarraputo, OBrien and Hafner present; Commr Palatella excused. District Secretary/District Treasurer Herbert present. There were no members of the public present. Chair Nielsen led the Pledge of Allegiance and then read aloud the following notice: This is the public hearing regarding the 2012 proposed budget. In accordance with New York State Town Law, all Fire Districts must, prior to the adoption of their budget, hold a public hearing on their budget. This budget hearing must be held in such a manner to maximize participation in the budget process. The sole purpose of this hearing is to discuss the contents of the budget. The Board of Fire Commissioners in accordance with legal requirements adopted the proposed budget on the 27th day of September, 2011, which is 21 days prior to this budget hearing. Because the Cold Spring Harbor Fire District does not maintain a website, the proposed budget was posted on the Town of Huntington website pursuant to the requirement under Town Law. The District Secretary filed a notice of this public hearing which was published or posted at least once at least five days before the date specified for the hearing in 1. The official newspaper of the fire district, The Long Islander; 2. On the official board of the Town of Huntington; and 3. On the fire districts signboard. The notice of public hearing specified the time, date and place where this public hearing would be held. Upon adoption of the proposed budget, the fire district secretary also made it available for inspection, and copies of the proposed budget available to any interested person during district office hours. The purpose of this public hearing is to allow any member of the public to make comments on the budget. Any person may be heard in favor of, or against, the proposed budget or any item in it. Please note that this is only a proposed budget until the Board of Fire Commissioners adopts the final budget. Prior to the public comment portion of this budget hearing, we will hear from the Fire District Treasurer who will make a brief presentation about the proposed budget. The final budget must be adopted no later than October 28th, and submitted to the town budget officer by October 28th.

ii.

THE TREASURER WILL NOW PRESENT THE PROPOSED BUDGET [INSERT THE TREASURERS REPORT] [INSERT THE PROPOSED BUDGET]

Chair Nielsen thanked the District Treasurer for her summation of the proposed budget and then stated the following: The public comment period shall now begin. I will now ask any person present wishing to be heard on this proposed budget to come forward so that that person may be heard in favor of, or against, the proposed budget or any particular item in it. I request that if you wish to address the board on the proposed budget, you come to the podium directly in front of us, or raise your hand to be recognized. Clearly state your name and address for the record. Please limit your comments to three minutes. Please direct all of your questions to the board or the treasurer. Please note: This is not a question-and-answer session. Your question will not be answered when asked. The board is looking for your opinion on the budget or any part of it, whether favorable or not. Please tell us what you are in favor of regarding this budget or what you are against. You may ask questions, but this board and the treasurer are under no obligation to answer at this hearing. The board may consider answering some questions at the conclusion of the public comment period. There were no comments from the public. Chair Nielsen then stated: The public comments period of this annual budget hearing has now concluded. The members of the Board of Fire Commissioners are now allowed to ask questions. Commissioner OBrien asked whether the budget includes any funds for the Wicks Barn. The Chair commented and stated that Commissioner OBrien participated fully in the creation of the proposed budget and should know the answer to his question. Commissioner Hafner asked if the Board was going to answer Commissioner OBriens question. Commissioner OBrien then continued to ask if there were monies in the budget for interior renovations, new trucks, scott packs or a storage container. There being no more questions, the Chair called the hearing closed, asked for a motion to adjourn which was provided by Commissioner Giarraputo, seconded by the Chair, vote called; Giarraputo, aye; Hafner, aye; Nielsen, aye; OBrien, nay. Motion carried. Public hearing concluded at 8:19 p.m.