Sunday, February 5th, 2012
   

Abridged Report Executive Committee Meeting

Wildwood, N.J. Thursday September 15, 2011


President Heflich called the meeting to order at the Convention Center meeting room at 9:28 a.m.

Roll call was held. All members were present with the exception of Joe Hankins of Ocean County who was excused.

The following guests were also in attendance, Past Executive Committeemen Milton Cole, Ken Wigglesworth, Al Bailey and Gary Matthews. Also Retired Counsel Barry Parker, Chairman Memorial Comm. Jim Duffy, Rev. Jago, and Phil Horsch, Past Field Examiner.

Vice President Gunson led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Rev. Jago gave the invocation.

President Heflich pointed out the exits.

APPEALS: None (0)

Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting held on July 16, 2011. In as much as the minutes have been distributed to all members, Mr. McNulty moved and Mr. Miller seconded it, that the verbatim minutes be accepted as distributed with corrections.

COMMUNICATIONS: None (0)

LIFE MEMBERS: None (0)

OFFICERS REPORTS:

PRESIDENT HEFLICH PRESENTED HIS REPORT:

Thanked all the Executive Committeemen for a job well done at their Caucuses, as we had no major problems and their support for myself for re-election.

Treasurer Osborn will give everyone an update on the IRS and those Associations that have lost their exempt status.

Executive Committee reminder: If you have not already done so, please submit the minutes of your caucus.

We have been notified that the Governor will not attend the Convention.

VICE PRESIDENT GUNSON PRESENTED HIS REPORT:

Congratulations to all the Executive Committeemen on their re-election.

All the office computers are now getting old and are in need of replacement. After the Convention, Specialty Systems will come up and do a review.

Mantua Twsp. called and stated that they had consolidated companies many years ago unbeknown to anyone. The President, President Emeritus and The Field Examiner met with them and set them up to the guidelines that you approved back in May & July, known as closed or paper companies, which we will start to, call them inactive companies. After the Audits are done, I will ask Specialty Systems to run a report by county of the Companies that have been closed in our system and then get the Executive Committeemen to get a meeting of these Associations in one place, so we can explain to them how they have to start operating on the inactive companies, they can’t have Representatives or Trustees.

SECRETARY WEINBERG PRESENTED HIS REPORT:

I would like to thank the gentlemen that worked the Caucus Registration this year. It went extremely well with the new readers and we hardly had any problems with the laptops. The registration went so well that in a few cases we eliminated one lap top and we still stayed way ahead. Once again, I thank you for your cooperation.

TREASURER OSBORN PRESENTED HIS REPORT:

A Draft of the financial report from the CPA firm has been distributed. The original reports are in transit. The report will be read at the Saturday session of the convention.

FIELD EXAMINER MAUSHARDT REPORTED: No report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:

SPECIAL RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:

Chairman Mellert reported that last year as of this date we paid 57 Members a total of $64,250.00. This year, as of September 16, 2011, we paid 70 members a total of $79,074.00, an increase of $14,824.00. In 2009 we paid 70 claims for a total of $77,750.00. We are running about the same as we did in 2009.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:
PENSION COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:

We had our regular quarterly meeting. Discussed normal business and have nothing else to report.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:

RESOLUTION COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:

Chairman Cavallo reported that they reviewed two (2) Resolutions to be presented at the Convention and the Committee recommends a “yes” vote on both resolutions. If approved by the membership, the President will appoint a committee to review the resolution(s), with a report to be given at the 2012 convention.

COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE REPORT SUBMITTED:

Chairman Thom reported on the notice of “Late Filing of Reports” that was discussed and approved at the July meeting. The State Statute allowing this has been added and if there are no problems with the addition, we can move forward. A copy will be mailed to all four (4) Officers and the Chief of each Association, so there will be no misunderstanding that they weren’t notified.

JUNIOR FIRE FIGHTERS STUDY REPORT SUBMITTED:

Chairman Finnegan noted at the last meeting it was suggested that someone look into the Child Labor laws before discussing the subject any further. Counsel Cavallo stated that he will try to have an answer for us by the next meeting.

N.J. FIREMEN’S HOME COMMITTEE: No report

DELEGATE & LIFE MEMBER EXPENSE COMMITTEE: No report

APPLICATIONS: None (0)

OLD BUSINESS:

Mr. Kelly reported that his sub committee is recommending that we co-host with the Board of Managers a “Social Gathering” at the Firemen’s Home on Saturday October 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. The gathering would include a lunch and tour of the home for those who are interested. A motion was made by Mr. Schoenstein and seconded by Mr. Gallo to accept the recommendation. Motion approved.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

NEW BUSINESS:

A motion was made by Mr. McNulty and seconded by Mr. Walker to approve the invoice submitted by the Five Mile Beach Assoc. for a $5,000.00 donation to cover security and handicap assistance at the Convention
Roll call vote: Yes – 20 No – 0 Motion approved.

A motion was made by Mr. Christensen and seconded by Mr. Schoenstein to mail a separate copy with the Abridged Minutes of the procedure for “Moving from One Relief Association to Another and Moving from one Company to another Company within the same Local Relief Association. Motion approved.

President Heflich requested permission for both the President and Vice President to attend the League of Municipalities and the Annual CFI Dinner in Washington. A motion was made by many and seconded by many to approve attendance and expenses as requested.
Roll call vote Yes – 20 No - 0 Motion approved.

A motion was made by Mr. Ordway and seconded by Mr. Christensen to authorize expenditure not to exceed $12,000.00 for the upgrade of the office computers.
Roll call vote Yes - 20 No – 0 Motion approved.

Vise President Gunson reported that to date we have received 13 applications for the position of Field Examiner. A committee will start interviewing the week of October 5th.

Mr. Ordway spoke about the Executive Stationary and we have now exhausted all the gold insignia maters. There are a few sample suggestions in your folders for review. The present layout takes up too much space on the page. A new layout would correct that. It was agreed that the decision would be made at the next Officers meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Lenarski and seconded by Mr. Stauffer to authorize a change in the way Local Association Officers may be paid a salary once approved by their Representatives. The change would be as follows, Salaries may be approved, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, as long as the Officers’ obligations have been completed. This will take effect January 2012.
Roll call vote: Yes – 16 No – 4 Motion approved.

A discussion took place by many about the future possibility of Wildwood being shut down during a hurricane or natural disaster and the Delegates, Life Members and Officials could not enter Wildwood for the Convention. It was suggested that each Executive Committeeman submit suggestions as to arranging a possible pre-plan. Once we receive the suggestions, the President will pick a committee to review them and make recommendations.

A motion was made by Mr. Christenson and seconded by Mr. Ordway to request of the Board of Manages that in their Directory they also include the Executives Wives names, the same as listed for the Managers. Also, if the Executives wanted to have their cell phone numbers added. Motion approved.

Mr. Ordway reported that all municipalities in the State of New Jersey are required to complete a “Best Practices Worksheet” and submit it to the State DLGS by September 1. The municipalities are graded on their answers and lose some state aid depending on their final score.
Question # 4 on the Health Insurance section reads “Do your municipal firefighters receive annual heart screening in conformance with NFPA Standard 1582, Chapter 7.4-7-7‌
You can receive a copy of your municipality’s survey via OPRA if necessary. If your municipality answered yes to this question, you should be taking advantage of this program. (Additional Blind Note: Of the eighty-seven Firefighters that died while on duty in 2010, fifty died from heart attacks).

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Mr. Gunson thanked everyone for their calls, cards and concerns during his Illness. It was greatly appreciated. An extra thanks to Jake Genovay and Ernie Greenwald for dropping off work to me at my home. (Applause)

Mr. Wigglesworth said a special “Hello” from the wife Harry Snyder who was the 2nd Asst. Secretary of the Association.

Mr. Harvey spoke about the following items:

1 – Back in July the Five Mile Beach Assn. sent a letter to the Turnpike Authority requesting that the tolls be lifted for all fire apparatus. That has been denied and all apparatus will pay the tolls.
2 – There will be extra golf carts this year and wheelchairs will be in the lobby for the handicapped.
3 – Right after the Convention session is completed there will be a 9-11 Memorial Service, out in front of the Convention Center.
4– Fireworks will take place Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. at Pine Ave. and the Boardwalk and will be set off on the beach.
5 - The Tram Cars will be working both days of the convention..
6 – There will be extra trolley’s running to accommodate the members.
7 – The parking meters have been turned off.

Mr. Gallo had best wishes for a great convention from Kenneth Reagan.

Being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. McNulty and seconded by Mr. Christensen to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at 10:23 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sanford Weinberg Signature
Sanford (Sandy) Weinberg
Secretary
 
 
 

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