Fire Services Review Special Committee - Minutes - 04/18/2022

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FISTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CF 06385-2886
Fire Services Review Special Committee
Minutes—Special Meeting April 18, 2022
i Members Present: Richard Muckle (RTM; left 6:15 p.m.), Greg Attanasio (RTM), Susan Driscoll {RTM/PP&S); Robert Tuneski
; (BoF), Rob Brule (BoS); Mike Howley (Director, Fire Services); Steven Sinagra (Director, Emergency Management); Mark
Greczkowski (WAS Director of Operations); Todd Patton (Chief, Goshen FD); Tom Martin (Captain, WFD)
| Also Present: Tim Condon (RTM; Chair, PP&S Committee); Town Attorney Rob Avena
i 1.,2.,3. Call to Order/Pledge/Roll Call: With all members in attendance, first meeting of the FSRSC called to
| order at 6:04 p.m. by Temporary Chair Tim Condon (Chair of RTM’s Public Protection & Safety Committee). Member
H introductions followed Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Election of Chair: Temporary Chair Condon called for nominations for FSRSC Chair.
Motion by Muckle, second by Brule, to nominate Tuneski. Voice vote: Unanimous.
i 5. Election of Secretary: Chair-elect Tuneski called for nominations for FSRSC Secretary.
Motion by Attanasio, second by Brule, to nominate Driscoll. Voice vote: Unanimous.
6. Consider/act upon Regular Meeting Schedule. Group discussion on the flexibility/constraints of “special” versus
; “regular” schedule, challenges of coordinating with multiple groups’ schedules, and the difficulty of selecting a
| reasonable standard schedule without a clear idea yet of the scope of our review and data-gathering.
; Motion by Muckle, second by Brule, to start with special meetings and revisit scheduling when the committee gets up to
speed. Voice vote; Unanimous.
7. Review/Discussion of FSRSC's charge from the RTM (6/7/21): PP&S Chair Condon provided a brief history of reviews
following the creation of a combined fire department and, after exhausting remedies available through ordinances, the
decision to create a special review committee that included—for the first time—members from all governing bodies
involved in budgeting and appropriations as well as representatives of all the stakeholders. He recommended that
members get a copy of the Public Protection and Safety 2018 Fire Services Study—a compilation of previous reviews and
useful background information including union contracts, town agreements with volunteer fire companies and WAS, and
ordinances, Lengthy discussion ensued; topics included short- and long-term strategic planning, tax abatements and
stipends for volunteer firefighters, and potential projects/programs to consider for recommendation.
Chair Tuneski asked that a fire services organization chart be provided for the next meeting, to offer a clearer picture of
the interrelationships. He also requested that all members bring to the next meeting three or four critical tactical
issues—e.g., those associated with a liability—to be considered for short-term plans.
8. Adjournment. Group consensus to schedule the next special meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24.
Motion by Attanasio; second by Tuneski to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Voice vote: Unanimous.
Submitted by
_—_—
ert Tuneski, FSRSC Chair