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Abridged Report with Attachments
ABRIDGED REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
The meeting was called to order by President Ordway at 9:30A.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. Also present was Past President Frank Gunson. Past Counsel Barry Parker, Past Assistant Counsel Stacy Moore, Executive Committeeman Elect Lawrence Handlin, Former State Association 2ND Assistant Secretary H. Lee Baker, Past Executive Committeeman Wayne Kepler, Past Executive Committeeman Kenneth Wigglesworth, Past Executive Committeeman Thomas Miller, Past Executive Committeeman Neil Gallo and Firemen’s Home Manager Cassmiro DeLaurentis.
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 July 20, 2019 Executive Committee Meeting were approved as distributed on a motion by Executive Committeeman Spiegel seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer. 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 Fazekas, seconded by Executive Committeewoman Hollingsworth. Motion carried:
OFFICERS REPORT:
Vice President Hankins report: In addition to his written report his verbal remarks were:
1) He thanked all of the Executives who worked at the caucuses. All went well with a few minimal problems
2) The third quarter Relief reports are due October 30, 2019.
3) Pink and Blues are due in November 1, 2019
4) Parking Passes for Friday and Saturday are in your packets
Secretary’s Report: His written report is in your packet
First Assistant Secretary Report: No Report
Second Assistant Secretary Report: No Report
Treasurer Report: The CPA Report will be read at convention and will be part of the Convention Minutes
Counsel Cavallo reported: Nothing for Open Session
Field Examiner Report: His report is in your packet. He reminded those Executives whose counties had Field Examinations this year to follow up with those Associations that had problems and that the 2020 Field Exams will begin in late March and go through April.
President’s Report: In addition to his written report he reported the following:
1) He thanked Vice President Hankins and Secretary Pelaia for organizing the caucuses and to all of the Officers and Executives who assisted with Registration.
2) All of the IRS 990’s have been received with the exception of the 5-10 Associations that have filed extensions.
3) He and Vice President have met with Assembly Speaker Coughlin and Senator Singleton regarding legislation. They will be meeting with other legislators in the near future
4) Both Entrances (North and South) to the Convention Center will be open this year to hopefully relieve the congestion shortly before the Sessions begin. Please have your card ready as you enter to help with security
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADVISORY/ SPECIAL / SUPPLEMNTAL COMMITTEE: Executive Committeeman Mellert stated that the reports are in your packet.
COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE: Executive Committeeman Lane reported that copies of his report are in your packet. He also said that he will be reading his report regarding the Resolution from last year’s convention at Session 1 tomorrow
DELEGATE AND LIFE MEMBER COMMITTEE: No Report
FINANCE COMMITTEE: The Quarterly Finance Committee report is in your packets.
FIREMEN’S HOME COMMITTEE: Chairman Otterbein reported that the construction on Memory Card Unit at the Firemen’s Home has begun and is moving along.
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE: Written report has been distributed. Chairman Reeves stated that the program is starting to grow as more members are taking advantage of it.
LEGISLATIVE: First Assistant Secretary Martone stated the report has been distributed.
Long Range Planning Committee: No Report.
PENSION COMMITTEE: Treasurer Osborn reported that committee met before this meeting and conducted the normal course of business
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE: There is one resolution that will be voted on at the Convention
SALARY COMMITTEE: No Report
FIRE SAFETY COMMISSION – Executive Committeeman Naylis reported that there is a Commission Meeting this morning at 10:30. The major item on the agenda is the renewal of the Pro-Board certification by the end of the year.
APPLICATIONS:
1) Deactivation of Lakewood Company #5. Motion made by Executive Committeeman Walker, seconded by Executive Committeewoman Hollingsworth. Passed
2) Motion made by Executive Committeeman Walker, seconded by Executive Committeewoman Hollingsworth to accept the Application by the Stafford Township Relief Association for a New Company, Warren Grove Volunteer Fire Company #2. Passed
OLD BUSINESS:
Executive Committeeman Scheuer asked if a letter was sent to Past Secretary Finnegan on the at the decision last meeting of Executive Committee regarding his request. President Ordway said no, but when he received the e-mail from Past Secretary Finnegan he responded and apologized. He said he would take the blame for the confusion as to who should have sent the letter.
A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Kelly and Seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer to go into Executive Session at 9:24am. Motion Passed
A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Naylis seconded by Committeeman Scheuer to return to Regular Session at 10:04am. Motion Passed
NEW BUSINESS:
1) A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Naylis, Seconded by Executive Committeeman Lane to remove Robert Daunbenberger from membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and forfeit any and all benefits provided.
On a Roll Call Vote Passed 21-0
2) A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Spiegel seconded by Executive Committeeman Florio to place Andover Boro under review for 3 years due to the overpayment of Supplemental Relief and to ask Andover Boro if there is any way the overpayment can be returned. On a Roll Call Vote Passed 21-0
3) A motion by Executive Committeeman Fazekas, seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer to allow the President and Vice President to attend the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City and the Congressional Fire Services Institute Dinner in Washington, DC. On a Roll Call Vote Passed 21-0
4) Treasurer Osborn stated that since we have been in the new building with 4 new
Secretaries (which is now at 3) and one remaining, the Officers feel that the staff worked seamlessly with one fewer secretary and that they did an exceptional job. He stated that the Officers would like to give the secretaries a $2,000 increase in their salary. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Mellert, seconded by Committeeman Lane to give the secretaries a $2000.00 increase in their salary beginning October 1. On a Roll Call Vote Passed 21-0
GOOD OF THE ORDER
1) President Ordway mentioned that the Tram Cars will not be running south of the Convention Center. He stated that extra golf carts will be available to shuttle people to the Convention Center from the south end of the Boardwalk.
2) Executive Committeewoman Badger asked what the Age Survey sent to all locals was about. President Ordway explained that this is what one of the members of the Executive Committee requested after receiving several letters from member and Associations. He stated that approximately 250 were received but some of them contained wrong numbers. Those were surveys that included current members. He stated that we are reaching out to those Associations to get corrected numbers. He said once all of the surveys have been received that they will be given to the Compendium and Long Range Planning Committees to review and then report to the Executive Committee and action if needed will be taken. He also stated that any change to the ages will be a change to State Statue and will require Legislative approval.
3) Executive Committeeman Otterbein asked what is the procedure to respond to the letter from the Secaucus Firemen’s Relief Association regarding “need” for Relief. President Ordway stated that it will go to the Advisory Committee and they will report back to the Executive Committee their recommendation, if any. Then a response to the Secaucus Relief Association will be sent to them.
ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Executive Committeeman Otterbein, seconded by Executive Committeeman Florio the meeting was adjourned at 10:20am.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas J. Pelaia
Secretary
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