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Abridged Report with Attachments
ABRIDGED REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
WALL TOWNSHIP NEW JERSEY July 20, 2019
The meeting was called to order by President Ordway at 9:00A.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 website as required pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975). The fire exits were pointed out.
Vice President Hankins led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Executive Committeeman Mellert gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call was held. First Assistant Secretary Brian Martone announced that all members were present with the exception of Committeeman Gerard Naylis and Field Examiner James Kenny who were excused. Also present was Former State Association Secretary Sanford Weinberg.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
President Ordway opened the meeting to public comment and asked First Assistant Secretary Martone to read the following: The New Jersey State Firemen’s Association welcomes comments from the members of the audience. He further stated the secretary will note all comments and that because of this he asked 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.
There was no Public Comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Abridged Minutes and Verbatim Minutes of the May 18, 2019 Executive Committee Meeting were approved as distributed on a motion by Executive Committeeman Scheuer seconded by Executive Committeeman Otterbein. Motion Carried.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Secretary Pelaia said there was no current Communications other than those in your packet. A motion was made to accept the correspondence submitted, by Executive Committeeman Spiegel, seconded by Executive Committeeman Mellert. Motion carried:
OFFICERS REPORT:
Vice President Hankins report: In addition to his written report his verbal remarks were:
1) Caucus Worksheets are distributed in the packets.
2) The new Laptops for Caucuses and Convention and the new servers have been tested and ready for the Caucuses.
3) He and President Ordway met with the American Cancer Society. They have several programs throughout the State regarding Cancer Screenings. As dates become available he will forward them to the membership. Deborah will also have DNA screening at the Convention for cancer also. We are still awaiting word from Deborah if there will be a charge.
4) Windows damaged on the building by the cleaning company will be replaced shortly
Secretary’s Report: In addition to his written report, his verbal remarks are:
1) Any Executive that needs Agenda’s, Reports etc. printed for their caucus should send them to me and I will make copies.
2) There are Emergency Contact forms in the packets. Please fill them out and leave them with us after the meeting.
First Assistant Secretary Report No Report
Second Assistant Secretary Report: Second Assistant Secretary Dreby reminded everyone that we have a complete set of the New Jersey State Statutes and the Administrative Code available in our conference room should anyone need to do research
Treasurer Report: Treasurer Osborn reported that his report is deferred to the September meeting when the CPA Audit report is completed.
Field Examiner Report: In addition to his written report, in his absence Secretary Pelaia reported that the Associations who had their audits this past spring and have yet to receive the Relief Applications back, will have them in about a week and he will forward them to the proper Executives.
Counsel Cavallo reported: Nothing for Open Session
President’s Report: In addition to his written report he reported the following:
1) A workshop was held in Camden County on June 20 and it was attended by many and was well received. Anyone wishing to have a workshop in their County should contact V.P. Hankins.
2) All of the IRS 990’s have been received with the exception of the 5-10 Associations that have filed extensions.
3) There are approximately 75 Quarterly Relief Reports still outstanding. They are due by July 30, 2019.
4) The Career Fire Chief’s met in our building on June 20. All went well.
5) Caucuses will begin on July 25 starting in Morris County. All Executives were reminded if they are working; make every effort to be on time.
6) All changes to Delegates & Alternates must be submitted in writing to the office. Please try to have any changes you have submitted to the office several days before your caucus, so that the cards can be brought to the caucus. No changes for the convention will be accepted after August 31, 2019.
7) The filing fee for each Association’s Annual Report to the state has increased from $25.50 to $30.50. This report is filed by the office for each of the 538 Associations and the fee is deducted each year from your assessment checks. Please inform your Treasurers.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADVISORY/ SPECIAL / SUPPLEMNTAL COMMITTEE: Executive Committeeman Mellert stated that the reports are in your packet.
COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE: In addition to his written report that was distributed Chairman Lane reported that the committee met on June 27 to discuss several items to be voted on under New Business. The minutes to the meeting are in your packet. The items being voted on are:
1) The changing of the percentages for Qualification to 25% from 50%. He reminded everyone that these percentages are for our Association only. They do not affect percentages required by their Departments
2) A Dissolution Clause to be added to the by-laws stating that if an association is dissolved all funds shall be returned to the State Association.
3) An amendment to Article VII Section 6 of the Bylaws to remove the wording “as compared to the report of an independent Certified Public Accountant engaged by the Executive Committee”. This is based on the fact that that these are basically different tasks.
DELEGATE AND LIFE MEMBER COMMITTEE: No Report
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Treasurer Osborn reported that The Finance Committee’s report will be deferred until the Convention.
FIREMEN’S HOME COMMITTEE: Chairman Otterbein submitted a report that was in everyone’s packet. He also brought everyone up to date with the new Memory Care Facility construction. He stated that the construction plans have been approved, permits have been issued and work was scheduled to begin this past week. He stated that they are in the process of putting two waiting lists together, one for the Memory Care wing and the other for general admittance,
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE: Written report has been distributed. Chairman Reeves reviewed the report with everyone.
LEGISLATIVE: First Assistant Secretary Martone stated the report has been distributed. He also stated that the Governor signed 33 bills this past week of which one that we were following which increases the number of members of the Fire Safety Commission by four,
Long Range Planning Committee: Chairman Speigel briefly reported to the members that the items that they discussed at the last Executive Committee meeting are being met with approval. More discussion will be held at the next committee meeting.
PENSION COMMITTEE: No Report
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE: No Report.
SALARY COMMITTEE: No Report
FIRE SAFETY COMMISSION – Executive Committeeman Naylis was excused from the meeting, but President Ordway mentioned that a Department in South Jersey may have had its Chief removed for not having the State required qualifications for that position. He reminded everyone that if this happens to another department in the future we must be notified so that we can change our records because the Chief of Department is a Delegate to the Convention.
APPLICATIONS: None
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Executive Committeeman Philips stated that there is no change in the status of the Frenchtown Relief Association (out of accord).
A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Kelly and Seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer to go into Executive Session at 9:16am. Motion Passed
A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Florio seconded by Committeeman Kurdyla to return to Regular Session at 9:26am. Motion Passed
NEW BUSINESS:
1) A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Otterbein, Seconded by Executive Committeeman Kurdyla to accept the Compendium Committee’s recommendation to change the percentages for Qualification from 50% to 25%. Passed 20-0. It was also noted that these percentages are strictly for our Association and that does not change any percentages that a Fire Department sets forth to remain an active member in that Department.
2) A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Lane seconded by Executive Committeeman Otterbein to add a Dissolution Clause to the by-laws stating that if a Local Association is dissolved; all funds shall be returned to the State Association. Passed 20-0.
3) A motion by Executive Committeeman Mellert, seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer to accept the recommendation of the Compendium Committee to amend amendment to Article VII Section 6 of the Bylaws to change the wording to now read that the” Finance Committee whose duty it shall be to examine and verify quarterly reports of the financial officer and such other matters as may be referred to them in convention or otherwise. Passed 20-0
4) A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Phillips, seconded by Executive Committeeman Figueroa that there will be no action will be taken on Past Secretary Finnegan’s question. Passed 20-0
GOOD OF THE ORDER
1) Executive Committeeman Lenarski asked for a status on ACR 232 and the Senate companion SCR 174. President Ordway responded that letters have been sent to Legislators and our office (then forwarded to the Legislators) asking for their support. He mentioned that these Resolutions must be passed by the Assembly and Senate by August 5, 2019 in order to be put on the November Ballot. At this time there are no Legislative sessions scheduled, so more than likely it will not be on the ballot this November but we will continue to push for this in the future.
2) Executive Committeeman Figueroa thanked the Officers for presenting the workshop in Camden County
3) Executive Committeeman Kelly inquired if the dais is going to give a recommendation on the resolution being voted on at convention. President Ordway responded that in the past when the dais made a recommendation it was misunderstood by many. He gave an example of last year’s vote on “should the Executive Committee study if Life Members can vote at local meetings”. After the resolution passed many members thought Life Members could vote at local meetings instead of realizing that the vote was to have Executive Committee study the issue. Therefore he stated that there will be no recommendations on resolutions.
4) Executive Committeeman Scheuer asked the President if he can clarify some of the issues with the 2% funding. He asked because there seems to be some disagreement between our Association and the Firemen’s Home regarding the funding. President Ordway then read NJSA 54:18-1 which states that the prior to March 1 the 2% monies that are collected in the previous calendar year be made to the Treasurer of the NJSFA. He then quoted NJSA 54:18-8 which states that the monies for the 999 account shall be paid to the Home after the budget is signed by the Governor. Committeeman Scheuer thanked the President for the explanation.
ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Executive Committeeman Kurdyla, seconded by Executive Committeeman Florio the meeting was adjourned at 9:41am.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas J. Pelaia
Secretary
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