Fire commission approves awards-program changes, authorizes conference travel and advances firehouse planning

Commissioner Eric Germain called the East Hampton Board of Fire Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. on April 13 at Company No. 1 firehouse. The board recorded attendance and the meeting agenda in minutes prepared by recording clerk Katrina Aligata.

The board approved revisions to the department’s membership awards program after considering a proposal that would lower the eligibility age from 60 to 55 and change payout rules. Under the revision, members may take lump-sum withdrawals for amounts under $10,000; withdrawals above $10,000 must be paid over a four-year period. Commissioner Phil Visintainer moved to approve the changes and Commissioner Darius Ledas seconded; the motion passed, recorded as a 5-0 vote. The minutes state the membership will consider the changes at the company meeting and, if adopted, the revisions will be submitted to the Town Council for final approval.

On budget matters the board approved a $9,500 contribution for the department’s annual dinner, to come from account 5633. Commissioner Darius Ledas moved and Commissioner William Abbott seconded the motion; the recorded vote was 5-0 in favor. The minutes also note the town is awaiting a referendum related to the municipal budget and that the department’s proposed budget was filed as submitted.

The minutes record operational updates: the Fire Marshal’s report and the Fire Chief’s report were read aloud, and members reviewed a circulated manhours packet. The board discussed dry-hydrant testing—two hydrants were tested recently—and considered installing a dry hydrant anchored in concrete on Wopowog Road. On facility planning, the new firehouse contract was reported as expected to be signed the prior week; a site/layout review with the contractor and an engineer visit were scheduled, and Marty Voelker was noted as available for a Company 2 visit.

In new business the board approved travel for Fire Chief Robert Rainville and Commissioner William Abbott to attend the Fire Design Conference in Reno, Nevada, on May 19, with expenses not to exceed $4,000. Commissioner Darius Ledas moved the travel approval, Commissioner Phil Visintainer seconded, and the minutes show a 5-0 vote in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Daniel Wasilewski, seconded by Commissioner Phil Visintainer; vote recorded 5-0. The minutes were submitted by Katrina Aligata, recording clerk.