957th Meeting held October 8, 2009
Minquas Fire Company, Station 23
President Lynn Truitt called the meeting to order at 1925.
Chaplain Wilms gave the invocation.
DVFA 2nd Vice President Charlie Frampton led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Robert “Bubba” Seinsoth welcomed all to the meeting.
A vote of thanks was given to the Minquas Ladies Auxiliary for the delicious meal.
The State Treasurer, Velda Jones Potter, with the assistance of Nicholas Adams and Shannon Andrews handed out the State checks. Each Company that received a check signed for it. Some Companies are receiving them through direct deposit.
Recognition of Deceased Members: there were six (6) George Crum, Sr of Stations 7,8,9 & 10; Albert Saute’ of Stations 28 & 32; Walt Kabis of Stations 4& 24; Leon “Chick” Heller of Station 20; Tim Blain of Station 23; William Crayther of Station 16. Prayer for the deceased was given by Reverend Wilms.
Roll Call of Member Companies by Secretary Watson. Signature logbook indicated 105 in attendance. Roll Call of NCCVFA showed all Officers present except Assistant Secretary Hopkins and Trustee Clark .
Recognition of Past Presidents:
New CastleCounty Volunteer Firemen's Association: 14
Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association: 13
CurrentNew CastleCounty Presidents: 10
MOTION made by Jasper Lakey (15) to accept the August 2009 meeting minutes in printed form. SECONDED by Jim Watson (15, 28, 32). <CARRIED by acclamation>
Treasurer’s Report given by Treasurer Smith. MOTION made by Jasper Lakey (15) to accept the August 2009 Treasurer’s report. SECONDED by Jim Watson (15, 28, 32). <CARRIED by acclamation>
President’s Report:
President Truitt’s report is attached.
1st Vice President Richard Perillo and 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton’s reports are in printed form to the Secretary.
Committee Reports called for by 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton:
Budget, Ken Pyle reports that a copy of the budget is in everyone’s mailbox. He thanked the Officers for cutting expenses and enabling the budget to be balanced without taking money from the savings. We will vote on it next month.
Fire Prevention & Education, Joe Mullen reports that the Posters/Essays are due on 10/30. Next Friday pick up all of them to be judged at the local stations. The Awards luncheon will be 11/15 at Station 14. Please wear Class A uniforms.
Government Affairs, Bob Sutton reported that DVFA wants all Companies to meet with their legislators as soon as possible. There is an information sheet for all Companies to fill out, please get one from him.
Wake Up Delaware, Tom Mitten reported that banners have been distributed to all Companies. They do have some available in Spanish if you need one. They are sending banners to Kent and Sussex. A thank you to Ron Marvel for storage of some items. They were not funded in the last grant cycle but they have received 8 grants. They still have inventory to carry them over. They are working on the next grant. They have give out over 100,000 smoke detectors.
Association Reports called for by 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton.:
DVFA, President Kevin Wilson’s report is in written form in mailboxes and also attached to this report.
NCC Fire & Ambulance Advisory Board, Chairman Frank Gant reports that their next meeting is 10/15 at Station 25 at 7 pm. The meeting with the CountyExecutive has been cancelled and not rescheduled for September.
Agency Reports called for by 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton:
NCC Communications, Dave Roberts reported that the contract with Local 3911 is signed. They are hiring 4 Emergency Call Operators. The posting ends on 10/14.
State Fire Prevention Commission, Marvin Sharp announced he is retiring and would like our support of the new Chairman when he is chosen. They passed the Fire Regulations except the fire safe cigarette. Millsboro is upset because they wanted to be a part of the CPAP trial. Not granted to them because they run lights more than OEMS recommends.
ESC, Jill Graham reported that their year has ended as of 9/30. She is awaiting all member reports to be able to compile the final report for this group.
COMMUNICATIONS, Secretary Debbie Watson read letters from the following:
A letter from Five Points Fire Company in support of Robert Sutton for 1st Vice President.
A letter from Elsmere Fire Company in support of John Smith for Treasurer.
A letter from Claymont Fire Company in support of Charlie Emerson for Trustee.
Payment of Bills read by Treasurer Smith: MOTION was made by Jasper Lakey (15) to pay the bills. SECONDED by Lou Amabili (19). <CARRIED by acclamation>
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The final reading of the ByLaw for changing the meetings. MOTION made by Tom Mitten (16) and SECONDED by Tony Guzzo (19) to accept. <CARRIED by acclamation>.
NEW BUSINESS
JasperLakey (15) asked Tom Mitten (16) if a letter could be written to ask for support and donations for Wake Up Delaware to be given a grant for this year. Steve Austin (7,8,9 & 10) reported on the state of the grant applications for next year and said the application period is open now.
Steve Austin (7,8,9 &10) reported that the move over billboards are being worked on to include all Police, Fire, EMS, DelDot, Towing persons. We have an electronic billboard being donated and we will be able to use the billboards that are not rented. A MOTION was made by Steve Austin (7,8,9 &10) and SECONDED by Jim Watson (15,28,32) to spend $700 for billboards. <CARRIED by acclamation>
Jimmy Craig (1, 27) asked Fire Prevention Commission Chairman Marvin Sharp how the new Chairman will be chosen. It is an election among the Commission members.
Nominations:
President Richard Perillo of Brandywine Hundred
1st Vice President Robert Sutton of Five Points
2nd Vice President Charlie Sheridan of Holloway Terrace
Secretary Debbie Watson of DelawareCity
Assistant Secretary R. T. Hopkins of Wilmington Manor
Treasurer John Smith of Elsmere
Trustee Charlie Emerson of Claymont
All offices were properly opened, called for three times and properly closed with a motion and a second. All persons nominated for an Office were done in proper form. We have received letters of support for all the above Officers from their respective Fire Companies except the Assistant Secretary.
GOOD OF THE ASSOCIATION:
Rich Rodriguez (16) announced that Elsmere Fire Company, himself and his family were looking for nominees for the Sonny Wilkins award for this year. A letter must be submitted to the President or Chief.
Jasper Lakey (15) thanked those who attended the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. Delaware City Fire Company appreciates everyone who helped to honor Michelle L. Smith with their attendance and memorial bricks in the walk of honor.
Mike McMichael (15) thanked Dean Simpson and the Red Knights for their participation in the NFF Memorial Service.
Lynn Truitt announced that we are invited to attend the Outstanding Volunteer Awards dinner at Dover Downs on October 29th. The cost is $25 per person. Please see Secretary Watson for the forms.
Tom Mitten (16) offered for any Company to call him for Detecta to come to their Open House/ Fire Prevention event. Call Tom or Patti Carnevale (2, 21).
Jon Stewart (2, 21) announced that Mill Creeks full time employee Scott Cooper, is deployed in Afghanistan and is requesting that we collect t-shirts to send over there for the wounded. So far they have sent 1300-1400 and have an additional 900 to send. Thank you for your donations to this cause.
Brian Shaw (22) is open for suggestions for Conference reorganization. Please send to him or to Ed Barlow (20).
Frank Gant (4, 24) announced that Station 24 will be having their Open House on Sunday. They have invited their legislators to attend.
The next meeting will be the election meeting on Thursday the 12th at Odessa, Station 24.
The Benediction was given by Rev. Wilms.
50/50 winning number 726639. Amount $111. The winner was Frank Bailey.
Rising vote of Thanks given to Host Company.
Meeting adjourned at 2040 hours.
Minutes recorded by:
Debbie Watson, Secretary