Fire Committee Minutes 11-7-2023

Fire Committee Minutes 11-7-2023

RUTLAND TOWN SELECT BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING

FIRE COMMITTEE

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7^th, 2023

The Fire Committee of the Rutland Town Select Board met at 5:00 PM on Tuesday November 7^th, 2023, at the Municipal Town Hall. Present was Select Board Chair Mary Ashcroft, Select Board Member Sharon Russell, Town Fire Chief Chris Clark, Town Assistant Fire Chief Larry Dell Veneri, Town Assistant Fire Chief Mike Carlson, and Town Administrator Bill Sweet.

1. Reviewed the proposed budget from Chief Clark for the next fiscal year.
   1. Several lines are up due to known factors.
   2. Discussed splitting utility costs between the Police and Fire departments. No decision was made.
   3. Discussed an increase in the compensation amount in addition to the percentage the Board decides on.
   4. Discussed the hourly rates paid for administrative and daytime rates. There are some equity differences between the department head compensation rates. After discussion changes will be made.
      23. Firefighters will be paid $23.85 per hour up from $15.54.
      24. Captains and Lieutenants will be paid $$28.00 per hour up from $15.54.
      25. Assistant Chiefs will be paid $36.00 per hour, up from $21.43.
      26. The Fire Chief will be paid $38.00 per hour up from $31.58.
      27. The proposal is to have the new rates take effect for the administrative work January 1^st, 2024, and then apply to the increase in July. The rates for daytime calls will take effect July 1^st, 2024.
   5.  Discussed adjusting the depreciation account contributions. $56712.42. is deposited at each tax installment, $170,137.26 annually. This is a 1 ¾ cent rate on the Grant List. Changing this to a 2-cent rate would contribute $64,814.19 each installment, $194,442.58 annually.
      1. The next truck is due to be replaced in 10 years. The Chief is unsure if it will functionally make it.
      2. A sheet showing depreciation account projections will be provided for the next Board meeting.

3. Discussed the Private Fire Hydrant ordinance. A lot of work has gone into identifying hydrants around town. Private fire hydrant owners are responsible for annual maintenance. Discussed notifying them to ensure it is on-going, and some updates to the ordinance.

The meeting adjourned at 5:56 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet