Fire Services Review Special Committee - Minutes - 05/29/2024

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Minutes—Special Meeting May 29, 2024
Members Present: Robert Tuneski (BoF); Susan Driscoll (RTM); Richard Muckle (BoS); Todd Patton (Chief, Goshen Fire Co.);
Steven Sinagra (Director, Emergency Management)
Members Absent: Matthew Keatley (RTM); Mike Howley (Director, Fire Services); Tom Martin (Captain, WFS);
Mark Greczkowski (WAS Director of Operations); [RTM Public Protection & Safety Committee appointment thd]
1. Call to order: Chair Tuneski called the meeting to order at 5:48 p.m.
2. Public comment: None.
3. Previous Minutes: Motion by Muckle, second by Tuneski, to approve April 22, 2024, minutes as presented.
Voice vote: Yes-Tuneski, Driscoll Abstain-Muckle Motion passed.
4. Consideration of FSRSC’s charge from the RTM (6/7/21): Chair Tuneski noted that, with absence of Director Howley,
discussion of volunteer participation will be postponed until the June meeting when Director will be available to provide
updated VIP data. Tuneski also reported that he had plotted the 2022 response data to determine trends and would provide
members with copies of his work.
General discussion followed on composition/contents of final report and recommendations, which will incorporate data
provided by advisory members; development/population projections; long-term capital plans for fleet management,
staffing, and infrastructure; insurance cost impact of ISO rating (based on paid/volunteer staffing, hydrants, apparatus).
Sinagra will draft info on recent and planned changes in communications systems, such as the recent pager replacement
and the anticipated cost and practical advantages of getting on the statewide radio system rather than replacing our
antiquated system (e.g., enable communication with all regional responders, grant options to offset projected $2.4 -$5.8
million estimated costs—which have dropped from earlier $12 million estimates). He noted that recent radio/pager
replacements were a huge hit to the budget because they had to be replaced all at once; he is working on building rotating
partial replacement schedules. Tuneski noted that the Utility Commission is looking at new software to track usage/predict
replacement of vehicles, equipment, pumping stations to create a database to establish capital plan projections. He added
that such data in the final report would help the public see the “hows and whys” of Town spending.
In response to a question about current Emergency Management staffing, Sinagra explained that he is working with the
union to get extra coverage during the busy times without creating overtime costs and will include that topic in his draft.
Patton noted that some volunteers are still waiting for new pagers, and that Howley had asked volunteer Chiefs to get
“non-active” volunteers to return their gear. He defined “active” volunteers as those who qualified for at least 30 VIP points.
Tuneski asked Patton to consult with the other four volunteer Chiefs to get their input on current and long-term needs
and asked Muckle to get BoS perspective from his colleagues. Driscoll noted that we are still waiting for WAS coverage and
response time data and FSRSC should get an overview of policy/practice changes in light of WAS’s recent relocation to a
private facility.
5. Next meeting: Consensus to tentatively schedule next meeting for June 25 at 5:30p.m.
6. Adjournment: Motion by Muckle; second by Driscoll to adjourn at 6:42 p.m. Voice vote: Unanimous.
Submitted by
Susan Driscoll, FSRSC Secretary