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ABRIDGED REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Wildwood Crest, N.J. Saturday, May 20, 2017
The meeting was called to order by President Frank B. Gunson, 3rd at 9:30 A.M. in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. He stated that notice of this meeting was posted on the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association website as required pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act (Chapter 231, P.L.1975) and sent via mail to all Local Relief Association secretaries. The fire exits were pointed out.
Vice President Robert Ordway led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Executive Committeeman Konrad Mellert, Warren County, gave the invocation and led everyone in a moment of silent prayer for those who have answered their last alarm followed by a prayer for our troops and veterans. He concluded by asking for guidance during this meeting.
ROLL CALL:
- call was held. First Assistant Secretary Jake Genovay announced that all members were present with the exception of Atlantic County Executive Committeewoman Badger who was excused. Also in attendance were Past Executive Committeemen from Union County Thomas Miller and Somerset County Neil Gallo.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
President Gunson opened the meeting to public comment and asked First Assistant Secretary Genovay to read the following: the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association welcomes comments from members of the audience. He further stated that the secretary will note all comments and that because of this he asked that anyone speaking to state their name and address before speaking and to keep their comments to a 3 minute time limit. Concerns stated or actions requested by the public will be taken under advisement by the Executive Committee for investigation, discussion and possible action or disposition at a later time and date.
No one wished to be heard at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Abridged minutes and the Verbatim Minutes of the February 25, 2017 Executive Committee Meeting were approved as distributed on a motion by William Mc Nulty, Gloucester County Executive Committeeman, seconded by Nick Florio, Union County Executive Committeeman. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS:
From: Five Mile Beach
From: Catherine Marsh
From: N. J. State Firemen’s Home
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- Finnegan read the correspondence. A motion was made by many and seconded by many to accept the correspondence. Motion carried.
LIFE MEMBER REPORT: No report.
OFFICER REPORTS:
President Gunson reported:
- Written report distributed.
- Thank you to Konrad Mellert, Dan Speigel and Cindy Badger for conducting workshops in their counties and to the Officers who participated. They were very well received with a lot of good compliments.
- Thanks also go out to the Officers and The Executive Committee members who participated in the Field Examinations.
- This past Monday for 2016 we received from the 2 & 3 % monies received $32,165,893.26. We are working with Banking & Insurance on the collection of $619,217.69 as two carriers capped what the NJSFA received. He has met with Banking & Insurance to insure that the NJSFA receives the proper amount. This past Monday we deposited in the local associations $15,252,220.35 with one rejection due to the account being closed. Eight other associations will have to change the bank routing number due to mergers.
- At our February meeting we voted to place Frenchtown out of accord and we did and we have been working with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office to get their books back. They closed their account and mailed their funds to the IRS. We did not mail their 2% funds but will open an account at Valley Bank in their name.
- Chief Dreby will give an update on the Building Committee and I ask that you give the Executive Officers the approval to go ahead with the low qualified bidder instead of waiting till the July meeting to approve.
- The Home is going ahead with getting estimates for their addition and the President asked if any of the committee members would like to comment. Jerry Naylis, Bergen County Executive Committeeman and member of our committee to the Home’s project to elaborate on the progress so far. Jerry said there have been two meetings and that they were very vocal in their opinions and were rather disheartened that their comments were not reflected in the minutes from that meeting. The second meeting was held at the NJSFA HQ’s and we were informed that the Home is doing two studies; one is a cost analysis for a new building and the other is a cost analysis as to what it actually costs to take care of a member. One thing we identified was that their budget was for 92 members when in actuality they only have 65 members there. Mr. Naylis feels that we must do our due diligence and get all the information possible before a proper, correct decision can be made by our representatives. Passaic County Committeeman John Lane stated that our committee turned over three pages of questions and concerns to President Gunson that was turned over to the Home’s committee. We expect answers on these questions to be received in July.
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Vice President Ordway reported:
- Written report distributed.
- Congratulated all members of the Executive Committee and the local officers on getting their associations reports in on time. Seven out of eight reports had a 100% response. He is happy to report that only three associations will not be seated this year. While not perfect, big improvement from last year.
- He stated that in your packets were the locations, dates and time for the caucuses. He asked that they be reviewed and if any changes are necessary to notify him ASAP and to notify him of caucuses that you will be able to work.
- He stated that the Relief Association Analysis Comparison is also included in your packets and asked that they be reviewed.
- He concluded by asking all members of the Executive Committee to review their personal information and their Caucus information on the State Association Website.
Secretary’s report: Written report distributed; no verbal.
Treasurer Osborn reported: He stated that the Independent Accountant’s Financial Statements have been distributed and are included in your packets.
Field Examiner Kenny reported: Written report has been distributed with the following verbal:
- The 2016 Financial Reports have been received and balanced; the quality of the information received left a lot to be desired. He thanked the President and VP for their assistance in balancing these forms. Several issues with reports that were sent in that were not balanced properly: missing forms, incomplete forms, lack of signatures on reports and audit statements and an overall general quality of the reports was missing. Bergen County Committeeman Naylis suggested additional training may be needed.
Counsel Cavallo reported: He reported that at our last meeting a discussion came up regarding the possibility of us being sued for age discrimination and he informed us that he had sent a memo to the President stating that our membership rules have been reviewed in both state and federal courts and have been upheld.
He also stated that a question came up in regards to voting and having a locked ballot box, if needed, where ballots can be marked and dropped in the box and the Judge of Elections would process them thru a voting machine at a later time at the convention. Counsel is advising this is perfectly legal.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Chairman Osborn stated the report has been distributed.
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BUILDING COMMITTEE – Chairman Dreby, Burlington County, said that all applications and prints have been submitted to Wall Township and we are awaiting a hearing date. The RFP for a Construction Manager went out on March 26th with five companies picking
- the RFP. Legacy Construction was selected from those that submitted proposals. Chairman Dreby reiterated what President Gunson had mentioned that the Executive Officers are seeking a motion to approve they go ahead with the building construction once approval has been received rather than waiting till the July meeting. President Gunson mentioned that we are on Wall Township’s Planning Board agenda for June 19th @ 7:30 P.M.
COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE – Chairman Mc Nulty, Gloucester County, stated that what he was going to report on for Membership was covered by Counsel Cavallo.
CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE - No report.
DELEGATE/LIFE MEMBER – No report.
FINANCE – Treasurer Osborn stated the report has been distributed. No verbal.
HEALTH CARE – Chairman Mellert, Warren County, stated that there have been 18 Home Care Applications and 6 Long Term Care Applications approved.
LEGISLATIVE – First Assistant Secretary Genovay stated the report has been distributed. No Verbal. President Gunson stated that Jake had his annual meeting in April and thanked him for putting it together.
PENSION – Treasurer Osborn reported that they met prior to the meeting to discuss normal business.
RED BOOK – Chairman Kelly, Monmouth County, thanked Secretary Finnegan for summarizing the reports that were received. The summary showed that based on about 50% of the associations responding, that it was recommended to suspend printing altogether or to print one copy per association and to have a CD available if requested by the association.
RESOLUTIONS – Counsel Cavallo stated that we had received one resolution from Gloucester Township Firemen’s Relief Association regarding Life Members to vote at local relief meetings. The committee met last week via teleconference call. Committee discussed the resolution and had some recommendations. President Gunson spoke with Gloucester Township Firemen’s Relief Association and they have agreed to withdraw their resolution therefore there will not be any resolutions to be voted on at the convention.
SALARY – Chairman Dreby, Burlington County, stated that the committee met on May 1st and they will have recommendations to be brought up under Executive Session.
SPECIAL RELIEF – Chairman Mellert, Warren County, said the report has been distributed showing that we have 42 applications so far this year compared to 17 last year, a noticeable improvement.
SUBSIDY – Chairman Mellert, Warren County, stated no report.
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WEB PAGE – Chairman Mazzarella, Middlesex County, is still working on frequently asked questions and once finalized he will send out to the Committee for their input and on the Red Book, once that is finalized he will send that out as well for their input.
APPLICATIONS – None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – John Lane, Passaic County, asked about the status of his request from a couple of meetings ago regarding a list that would help the local associations of what is eligible and not eligible for relief. Jerry Naylis, Bergen County, stated that he hoped to have it ready for the July meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – A motion was made by John Lane, Passaic County, to go into Executive Session. It was seconded by Allen Kurdyla, Somerset County. Motion approved at 10:00 A.M. to go into Executive Session for approximately thirty minutes to discuss Personnel and Legal Matters.
A motion was made by Nick Florio, Union County, and seconded by Frank Walker, Salem County, to come back from Executive Session. Motion approved at 10:35 A.M.
NEW BUSINESS – A motion was made by John Lane, Passaic County, and seconded by Jay Lenarski, Mercer County, to reappoint Field Examiner James Kenny for another year. Vote was unanimous in favor of the reappointment. Mr. Kenny thanked all for their support.
A motion was made by Richard Dreby, Burlington County, and seconded by Konrad Mellert, Warren County, to reappoint Counsel Frank Cavallo and Assistant Counsel Stacy Moore for another year. Vote was unanimous in favor of the reappointment. Counsel Cavallo speaking for both himself and Assistant Counsel Moore stated that it is a privilege and an honor to serve this great organization.
At this time President Gunson asked Secretary Finnegan to read the Resolution to the State Treasurer asking for payment due to the NJSFA of the monies collected by him from Insurance Companies foreign to New Jersey for Fire Insurance Taxes, to the Treasurer of the NJSFA. A motion was made by Norman Figueroa, Camden County, and seconded by James Reeves, Cumberland County, to accept the resolution. Motion carried.
Treasurer Osborn asked that the Budget for 2017/2018 be accepted as read. He explained the fluctuations in a few accounts. There is no increase to the death benefit this year while we wait to see how the Home Health Care is accepted by the local associations. A motion was made by John Phillips, Hunterdon County, and seconded by John Lane, Passaic County, to accept the budget as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Robert Kelly, Monmouth County, to accept the 2017 Relief Assistance Scale as presented, seconded by Dan Speigel, Cape May County. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
- Richard Dreby, Burlington County, the Salary Committee met on May 1st and after emails back and forth the committee recommends what has been passed out to the Executive Committee. A motion was made by Dan Scheuer, Sussex County, seconded by Andy
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Mazzarella, Middlesex County, that the Salary Committee’s recommendation be approved as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
Richard Dreby, Burlington County, made a motion that President Gunson be allowed to proceed on a Personnel Matter that was discussed in Executive Session; seconded by Dan Scheuer, Sussex County. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
President Gunson stated a motion was needed to allow the Officers and the Building Committee to accept the lowest, qualified bid of the RFP’s presented to proceed with the building. A motion was made by Richard Dreby, Burlington County, and seconded by John Lane, Passaic County, to allow the Officers and the Building Committee to accept the lowest, qualified bid of the RFP’s presented to proceed with the building. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Nick Florio, Union County, and seconded by Konrad Mellert, Warren County, to purchase two voting machines, bringing this to a total of eight purchased at a maximum of $5,000.00 each. Two additional machines will be on loan for a total of ten machines in use. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
Chairman Robert Kelly, Monmouth County, led a discussion on the Red Book and made a motion to stop the printing of the annual Convention Red Book except only when or where required by state regulations will also permit publishing of one copy of CD format per local secretary, if requested, and book will be available for review or print out on the state web site. A second was made by Frank Walker, Salem County. A number of comments were made by various Committeemen and the President. After hearing many comments from the floor, Chairman Kelly withdrew the motion, and Frank Walker his second, until the July meeting where he will have additional information available as to cost of printing of the Red Book and other necessary data.
A motion was made by Frank Walker, Salem County, and seconded by James Reeves, Cumberland County, that Estell Manor be placed under review with state officers running the association. Motion carried on a roll call vote.
Jerry Naylis, Bergen County, made a motion to accept Counsel’s opinion that we can use a lockbox for voting at the convention in case there is an emergency; seconded by Robert Kelly, Monmouth County. Motion carried.
GOOD OF THE ORDER – Assistant Counsel Stacy Moore said he had been talking to Past Counsel Barry Parker and that he regretted not being down here today and that he will see everyone in September.
President Gunson congratulated Counsel Cavallo on becoming a grandfather to a big baby boy.
Robert Kelly, Monmouth County, asked was the assistance of the Executive Committee going to be needed at the Convention and was informed that their assistance will be more than welcome.
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Dan Speigel, Cape May County, talked about a handout that was included in our packets showing an alternative to the current name badges. He asked the Committee to look at them and to come back to the July meeting with their thoughts.
Vice President Ordway stated the dinner starts at 6 P.M. tonight
Field Examiner Kenny stated that Field Examinations coming up in the fall will be: Bergen on 9/21, Monmouth on 9/26 and Essex on 9/28.
ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by William Mc Nulty, Gloucester County, to adjourn. A second was made by Nick Florio, Union County. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
KEVIN B. FINNEGAN
Secretary, NJSFA
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