North Greenbush Fire District No. 1
Minutes of the October 16, 2023 BOFC Monthly Meeting
Chairman Chris Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:59 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was
followed by a moment of silence for all departed District Firefighters and the recent passing of
WFD Past Chief & Commissioner James Burt, Sr. and DFD Life Member Joseph Cain.
Commissioners Present: Chris Wilson (CW), Brian McCrae (BM), and Dan Garab (DG). Rich
French (RF) attended via Zoom. Nick Scifo was excused.
Other District Staff: District Counsel Terry Hannigan (TH), Secretary/Treasurer Sean Kerwin
(SK) and Director of Purchasing Robert Durivage (RD) were present.
Public Session: None
Approval of Prior Month’s Minutes & 9/11/23 Budget Workshop Minutes:
MOTION 23M127 was made by BM and seconded by DG approving the September Monthly
Minutes and 9/11/23 Budget Workshop Minutes. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report for the period ending 9/30/2023:
SK presented the Treasurer’s Report (Copy attached).
RESOLUTION 23R137 was made by BM and seconded by RF to accept the Treasurer’s Report
as of September 30, 2023 as presented.
Chairman Chris Wilson requested a roll call vote: The Resolution passed unanimously.
Approval of Current Month’s Invoices:
SK presented the invoices/vouchers for approval by the Board (Copy attached).
RESOLUTION 23R138 was made by CW and seconded by BM, authorizing the payments of
invoices as presented for a total of $62,925.36, pending final audit and receipt of any necessary
paperwork.
Chairman Chris Wilson requested a roll call vote: The Resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution to appoint Board of Election.
A Resolution appointing the Fire District Board of Elections was tendered by CW, seconded by
BM as follows:
WHEREAS section 175-a of the Town Law provides for a system of registration for Fire
District elections; and
WHEREAS a register of eligible Fire District voters must be prepared prior to the Fire
District election; and
WHEREAS such register shall be prepared from names of persons who have registered
with the County Board of Elections;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following resident electors of the
North Greenbush Fire District No. 1 are hereby appointed to constitute the North Greenbush Fire
District No. 1 Board of Elections for the 2023 annual Fire District election:
Mark Lacivita Election Chairman
James Oliver Election Inspector at WFD Firehouse
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James Miner Ballot Clerk at WFD Firehouse
Janice Kerwin Ballot Clerk at WFD Firehouse
Janet Dickinson Ballot Clerk at WFD Firehouse
William Stewart Election Inspector at DFD Firehouse
Timothy O’Connor Ballot Clerk at DFD Firehouse
Michael Lashmet Ballot Clerk at DFD Firehouse
Jason Strosberg Ballot Clerk at DFD Firehouse
Jim Dickinson Alternate as Needed
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairman, Election Inspectors and Ballot
Clerks be compensated in the amount of $70.00 for their services in preparing the registration
records and attendance at the annual election;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in case any of the members appointed herein
are unable or refuse to assume or perform the duties required of them, this Board of Fire
Commissioners will appoint alternates who are resident electors;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if clerical help is deemed necessary, this
Board of Fire Commissioners will consider the appointment of such clerical persons upon
request of the Chairman of the Fire District Board of Elections.
The Chairman requested a roll call vote as follows:
Commissioner Richard French Aye
Commissioner Brian McCrae Aye
Commissioner Chris Wilson Aye
Commissioner Daniel Garab Aye
RESOLUTION 23R139
Resolution to prepare the registration.
A Resolution was tendered by RF, seconded by DG for the preparation of Registration rolls in
conjunction with the annual election of the Fire District as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Greenbush Fire
District No. 1 having heretofore appointed a Board of Elections to comply with the registration
and voting procedures set forth in section 175 and 175-a of the Town law, does hereby designate
the 27th day of November, 2023 as the date of the meeting for the Board of Elections to prepare
registration rolls for the annual election of the North Greenbush Fire District No. 1;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such meeting take place at the Wynantskill
Fire House (511 Church Street) to convene at 6:00PM on that date for those Town residents who
reside in the Town of North Greenbush election districts 1, 3, and 7 and that such meeting take
place at the DeFreestville Fire House (350 North Greenbush Road) to convene at 6:00 PM on
that date for those Town residents who reside in the Town of North Greenbush election districts
nos. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a legal notice informing the residence
electors of the North Greenbush Fire District No. 1 of this meeting be published one time by the
Fire District Secretary in the official newspaper of the North Greenbush Fire District No. 1.
The Chairman requested a roll call vote as follows:
Commissioner Richard French Aye
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Commissioner Brian McCrae Aye
Commissioner Chris Wilson Aye
Commissioner Daniel Garab Aye
RESOLUTION 23R140
Motion to post legal notice:
A Motion made by BM, seconded by CW directing the District Secretary to place a Legal Notice
in the official newspaper of the Fire District for the election of One (1) Commissioner, to serve a
5 year term commencing on January 1, 2024, to be held on Tuesday December 12, 2023 and for
the preparation of the Registration Rolls on Monday November 27, 2023.
The District Secretary is also directed to provide a copy of the Legal Notice to the North
Greenbush Town Clerk for posting on the Town’s municipal website, if available, and on the
Town’s bulletin board and signboard no sooner than November 22, 2023 and no later than
November 27, 2023.
The District Secretary is further directed to post a copy of the Legal Notice on the Fire
District’s website, no sooner than November 22, 2022 and no later than November 27, 2023.
The Legal Notice must be published in THE RECORD by no sooner than November 8,
2023, and no later than November 15, 2023.
MOTION 23M128 carried.
RESOLUTION 23R141 was made by DG and seconded by BM to renew the I Am Responding
contract agreement for one year at $1,020.00.
Chairman Chris Wilson requested a roll call vote: The Resolution passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 23R142 was made by BM and seconded by RF, approving the floor cleaning at
DFD for all VCT & ceramic floors by Cleanmaster Pro at a cost of $2,750.
Chairman Chris Wilson requested a roll call vote: The Resolution passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 23R143 was made by RF and seconded by BM authorizing the Board to
override the NYS Tax levy cap for 2024 budget year, to exceed the 2% Property tax levy growth
determination. The Board has determined that it is necessary to exceed the 2% cap due to
inflation at 6.26%, a change in the Town’s taxable assessment, the additional costs associated
with the Capital Renovation Project at WFD and other costs.
Chairman Chris Wilson requested a roll call vote: The Resolution passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 23R144 was made by RF and seconded by CW adopting the proposed Amended
2024 budget as the final 2024 Budget as proposed, amended and written by SK.
Chairman Chris Wilson requested a roll call vote: The Resolution passed unanimously.
PUBLIC SESSION – None
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MOTION 23M129 was made by RF, seconded by BM to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 PM.
Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sean Kerwin
Secretary/Treasurer