Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee - Minutes - 06/04/2024

Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee Minutes
June 4, 2024
Meeting called to order at 6:30pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Members Present:  Robert Tuneski, Ted Olynciw, Rocco Bracciale, Jennifer Bracciale, Richard 
Muckle, Paul Rafuse, Wayne Gilpin, Robert Swansen
Members Absent:  Matthew Blankenship
Guests:  Director Howley, Twig Holland, Atty. Kepple, David Stein, Kevin Silvestri

Public Comment:  None

Opening Remarks:
a) T. Olynciw handed out an email dated May 25, 2024.  (Attachment 1)  B. Tuneski 
asked T. Olynciw and Atty. Kepple have a side bar to clarify the questions in the 
email.
b) R. Muckle reported Elizabeth Sabilia had resigned from the Oswegatchie Station 
Building Committee on Friday, May 31, 2024 and Robert Swansen was nominated 
and voted in as an elector.
c) B. Tuneski had a discussion with the building official regarding J.M. Albaine’s high 
winds statement regarding the existing Oswegatchie Fire Station.  B. Tuneski will 
invite the building official to address this concern.
d) T. Olynciw stated there was a rumor that there are othe modifications to the existing 
MOU or contract.  Atty. Kepple stated this rumor is false.

e) B. Tuneski informed R. Swansen of the original charge to this committee by reading 
the actual charge by the RTM.  R. Swansen understood the charge was to either build 
or repair the current building.  Atty. Kepple clarified the charge.

Review and Approve minutes:
MOTION by R. Muckle, second by T. Olynciw to approve the May 22, 2024 minutes
VOTE:
FOR:  B. Tuneski, T. Olynciw, R. Bracciale, J. Bracciale, R. Muckle, P. Rafuse
ABSTAIN:  W. Gilpin, R. Swansen
MOTION by P. Rafuse, second by W. Gilpin to approve the May 7, 2024 minutes
VOTE:
FOR:  B. Tuneski, T. Olynciw, R. Bracciale, J. Bracciale, R. Muckle, P. Rafuse
ABSTAIN:  R. Swansen

Review and Approve Invoices:
MOTION by T. Olynciw, second by J. Bracciale to pay Action Air Invoices of 
$4,812.50 and $794.87 and Twig Holland invoice of $1,487.50.
VOTE:  B. Tuneski, T. Olynciw, R. Bracciale, J. Bracciale, R. Muckle, P. Rafuse, W. 
Gilpin
ABSTAIN:  R. Swansen

Old Business:
a) The Phase II Environmental study is in the process of finding drillers.  The job is 
expected to be complete in 4 weeks.
b) Project Manager Contract – Atty. Kepple requested a copy of the AIA template from 
the Project Manager for this project.
T. Olynciw expressed concern regarding not having a Project Manager at the same 
time as an Architect.

Architect Led Disccusions:
a) D. Stein distributed handouts of a draft design schedule and 3 construction documents
of firehouses SPA has designed. (Attachments 2)
b) Langan Engineering will be performing the survey next week and wetland mapping
c) A2 and T2 surveys will note the locations of utilities

d) Question:  T. Olynciw asked if Pre-Demolition work is included in the scope of the 
contract.  If not, is it SPA’s responsibility to hire a firm?
Answer:  D. Stein will look into the scope of work submitted and report back to the 
committee.  If it is the Town’s responsibility it is suggested to use the Town’s 
services.
e) Committee is considering the need for 3 drive-through bays and 6 bunkrooms.  B. 
Tuneski was unsure if any action was taken on this or if it was only a sugestion.
f)
Staffing Plans – The Committee would like more information in order to design the 
firehouse more mindfully.  The Ad-Hoc committee chair, B. Tuneski, approved of 
providing the Staffing Plan submitted to the Ad-Hoc committee to the Oswegatchie 
Building Committee by Director Howley.
g) Question:  R. Muckle asked when the committee could expect a schedule from start 
to finish.
Answer:  D. Stein indicated the committee should have it in August.
h) The biggest challenge to the budget for this project is escalation
i)
To aid in the building’s design, homework for the committee is the square footage 
analysis.  The net square footage would include adding 15% to the gross square 
footage.

B. Tuneski suggested the committee meet prior to the next scheduled meeting to hash out 
the need and don’t need items.
MOTION by R. Bracciale, second by J. Bracciale to meet at 6:00pm to spend time prior 
to the architect’s arrival reviewing templates that will be emailed to memberl.
VOTE:  Unanimous
MOTION by R. Muckle, second by P. Rafuse to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 8:17pm
Respectfully submitted by
Linda Finnegan, Recording Secretary