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Abridged Report with Attachments
ABRIDGED REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Kenilworth, N.J. Saturday, July 21, 2018
The meeting was called to order by President Frank B. Gunson, 3rd at 8:50 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 meeting is being started a few minutes early due to the lack of air conditioning in the building. He discussed this with counsel and he said it was okay.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
President Gunson asked First Assistant Secretary Genovay to read the Open Public Records Act. First Assistant Secretary Genovay stated 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.
Vice President Robert Ordway led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Executive Committeeman Konrad Mellert (Warren) 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 all the service people around the world. He concluded by asking for guidance in the important business before us today.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was held. First Assistant Secretary Jake Genovay announced that all members were present with the exception of Assistant Counsel Moore and Bergen County Committeeman Naylis who were excused. Also in attendance was Past Executive Committeemen Thomas Miller, Union County.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Abridged minutes of the May 19, 2018 Executive Board Meeting were approved as read on a motion by Mr. Scheuer, Sussex County, seconded by Mr. Speigel, Cape May County. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Secretary Finnegan said we have two pieces of correspondence:
From the President to Lieutenant Anthony Saranchak, Chaplain, requesting him to be Chaplain at the Convention.
An email from Bergen County Executive Committeeman Naylis was received asking to be excused from this meeting as he will be on vacation.
LIFE MEMBER REPORT:
None
OFFICER REPORTS:
President Gunson reported: Written report distributed.
He said that Newfield Association is back in business. They recently held election of officers. He thanked Gloucester County Committeeman Roemmich for his assistance in ensuring their paperwork was forwarded in a timely manner.
He stated that the four new employees have started and can’t wait for the new building to be opened so they will have less of a commute.
The courts have returned Frenchtown’s Firemen’s Relief money to us less their attorney fees from the Fireman’s Relief money. We have also recovered the Association’s attorney fees from the Frenchtown money. Frenchtown’s treasury now has about $8 thousand dollars less than they did before these shenanigans began.
We have 876 “Z” members on our rolls; these are members who joined in the late 80’s who were given a line number. The youngest “Z” member at this time is 84 up to 108. Letters are being sent to local secretaries asking them to review these members and to get back to us within 30 days telling us if they are still a member or deceased. This is to be done on a Maintenance form.
We have over 1,400 people in our association that are over the age of 90.
The Building Committee recently had a “walk-thru” of the new building. We are hoping to receive a temporary CO the first week of September and hoping for a permanent CO no later than the first week of October. We are in the process of packing things up we will be taking to the new building. This conference room will become a storage room after this meeting. We will shortly be getting quotes for moving the furniture that we will be taking with us.
Caucuses will be beginning this week. I wish all Good Luck. If you need anything, let us know.
We gave a temporary date for the Retirement Party for the two Carol’s of September 28th.
This concludes my report.
Vice President Ordway reported: Written report distributed.
The revised Caucus Registration Work Schedule is in your folder. Please let me know if there are any problems. He will be distributing another copy of the caucus locations. We would like the computers set up an hour and a quarter prior to registration beginning. Registration will end 15 minutes after the caucus begins. Also included in your packet is the insurance certificate for your caucus.
The Second Quarter Relief Report is due in by 7/30. Fifty-seven are still out as of today.
We are planning on a ribbon cutting ceremony sometime in September. It will be open to all the Executive Committee, Past Officers and Executive Committee members and perhaps the Mayor of Wall Township.
Secretary’s report: My written report has been distributed. No verbal.
Treasurer Osborn reported: My report will be the independent outside auditor report which will be read at the convention.
Field Examiner Kenny reported: Written report distributed. Please follow up on those exceptions to the field exams and when you do, please forward to me your resolution.
Counsel Cavallo reported: No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADVISORY COMMITTEE – report has been distributed, no verbal.
BUILDING COMMITTEE – Chairman Dreby, Burlington County, reported that he walked thru the other afternoon and they are making great progress. The layout of the building is nice.
COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE – Chairman Lane stated no report.
FINANCE COMMITTEE – Treasurer Osborn stated that it will come up in September.
FIREMEN’S HOME/MEMORY CARE – President Gunson asked Chairman Lane to report. Our committee as well as the Home committee met on 7/18/18 at Spiezle Architectural Group. There was a Power Point presentation showing an aerial view of the existing facility, the new addition and the artist’s rendering of the completed addition. Chairman Lane described in detail improvements and additions to the building. Our committee recommended one change which was changing the roof area from a grass area to the ground level. This was approved by the Home’s committee as well.
HEALTH CARE – Chairman Mellert, Warren County, reported that the report has been distributed.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE – First Assistant Secretary Genovay said his report has been distributed, no verbal.
PENSION COMMITTEE – No report, will meet in September.
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE – Chairman Cavallo stated that they had a telephone conference call on Thursday, June 20th to discuss the Resolution received from Gloucester Township FRA # 035 requesting the Executive Committee study allowing Life Members to make and second motions at local relief meetings. The Resolution Committee recommends that the convention vote yes since it requires the Compendium Committee review this request and report back to the convention.
SALARY COMMITTEE – Chairman Dreby, Burlington County, said there is no report.
SPECIAL RELIEF – Chairman Mellert, Warren County, said that the report has been distributed and had nothing to add.
WEBPAGE – Chairman Mazzarella, Middlesex County, stated that he would appreciate comments regarding the webpage. They may be e-mailed to him.
APPLICATIONS: President Gunson stated we have two. First one is from Marlboro Township, Monmouth County creating a new company. A motion was made by Monmouth County Committeeman Kelly to approve. Motion seconded by Union County Committeeman Florio. Motion approved.
The second one was received from Prospect Heights, Mercer County creating a new company. Mercer County Committeeman Lenarski suggested that the last line of the resolution be deleted “closing all previous companies” as that is incorrect. He then made a motion to approve as amended. It was seconded by Warren County Committeeman Mellert. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
NEW BUSINESS: A motion was made by Camden County Committeeman Figueroa to pay a bill of $5,000 submitted by the Five Mile Beach Association for security, wheel chairs, etc. at the convention. Motion seconded by Hunterdon County Committeeman Phillips. Motion approved on a roll call vote.
President Gunson then reported on new furniture for the new building. This will include furniture for the office, office staff, conference room chairs, mailroom and kitchen for a price of $171,392.00. Included is a $7,500.00 disposal fee for whatever we leave behind here.
The other option is to unassemble the current furniture, move it and reassemble it and to purchase some new furniture. That price is $139,364.34. $96,226.00 is for new items, $35,638.00 is to disassemble, move and reassemble the old furniture. The $7,500.00 disposal fee is included.
A motion was made by Camden County Committeeman Figueroa to purchase new furniture. It was seconded by Cape May County Committeeman Speigel. The motion was approved on a roll call vote.
President Gunson stated Kevin has contacted a few outfits that buy old furniture and they want to look at pictures of the furniture. If they don’t want it, then we will have a public auction.
Burlington County Committeeman Dreby announced his resignation as Chairman of the Executive Committee, a position he held for fourteen years. He is resigning to run for Second Assistant Secretary. President Gunson thanked him for his service and then opened up the floor for nominations for Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Burlington County Committeeman Dreby placed the name of Passaic County Committeeman John Lane into nomination for Chairman of the Executive Committee. A second was made by Cumberland County Committeeman Reeves. Receiving no other nominations, President Gunson closed nominations. On a voice vote, John Lane was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee. John thanked everyone for their support.
GOOD OF THE ORDER: Cape May County Committeeman Speigel announced that the bagpipers and honor guard as well as the police and the wheel chairs are all set for the convention. He also announced that the Five Mile Beach Association has selected President Gunson as the Grand Marshall for the parade.
President Gunson announced that we are looking for an honor guard for the 2019 Convention.
Sussex County Committeeman Scheuer asked about the Home’s Golf Outing. Every year they have one and we read how it’s been a success but have never seen a financial report on it or where the money is spent. He inquired if there was any way we could find out. President Gunson said he could ask them.
ADJOURNMENT:
As there was no additional business to be conducted, a motion was made by Camden County Committeeman Figueroa to adjourn. It was seconded by Monmouth County Committeeman Kelly. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
KEVIN B. FINNEGAN
Secretary
We request that this report and all future reports be reviewed at
Your local relief meetings and so noted in your minutes.
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