Minutes
Arlington Board of Fire Commissioners
July 12, 2021
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, Todd Wilkins, Glenn Sherman
Members Absent: None
Also Present: (In person, or on phone) Town Administrator-Nick Zaiac, Fire Chief-Mike King, Assistant Chief-Vincent Thompson, Assistant Chief-Jay Coonradt, Darren March-Manchester Journal, and Janet Barry
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:55PM
Public Comments: None
New Business: New Truck RFP: The Fire Department members met to discuss their final decisions on a spec sheet at their meeting on Sunday, and Mr. Zaiac met with Chief King on Monday, to review the spec sheet, which was then submitted to the Fire Commissioners. It was decided the spec sheet will offer more flexibility and latitude for bids of the highly specialized new truck purchase, as opposed to using an RFP that was discussed at past meetings. Mr. Bykowski said they had done an excellent job, and the information was what he had described in previous meetings as being needed to go out to bid with. Ms. Browning questioned whether the new truck will fit through the Chiselville Covered Bridge, to avoid adding four minutes to the time to reach the area without the use the bridge. Chief King said the biggest tank truck they currently have fits through the bridge, and that every truck in their fleet, with the exception of the new utility truck, can attack fire on their own. It was discussed that the new truck will be able to fit into the current firehouse. It was discussed that the bids should start with the preference of having it fit in the bridge, and if it doesn’t have functionality, it can be revisited. Mr. Bykowski said it was important to note that the Fire Commissioners reserve the right to approve the final bid. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the spec sheet as presented to be integrated into an RFP. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
ISO Simulation: Mr. Zaiac said he was still waiting for information to be submitted to him so it was not discussed at the meeting. He said it can be discussed at Monday’s Water Board meeting, because flow testing and inspections of hydrants are a component of the ISO score that would need to be improved.
Fire Company Parking Parcel: The Fire Company approved a proposed transfer of the “parking parcel” at Old Mill and Ice Pond Road that was previously discussed. Mr. Zaiac can work out the details of the process with the Fire Company. Ms. Browning made a motion to deem the Arlington Fire Company Parcel at Old Mill Road and Ice Pond Road is surplus to the needs of the Arlington Fire Department. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve Use of 4866 VT 7A for FD Training: The Commissioners, Mr. Zaiac and Chief King discussed the FD’s request to hold car extrication practices at the Town owned 4866 VT 7A property, also referred to as the Dietrich property. Chief King said the cars they use are donated, and the current location they use for the training prefers the cars to be picked up right away after use, which can be hard to require of donated cars. Mr. Zaiac said the use of the property for these purposes had been confirmed with the Town’s insurance carrier and poses no additional liability. It was discussed that Habitat for Humanity has not given any updates about them possibly purchasing the property as had been discussed at past meetings. Ms. Browning said they should be contacted to see if they are still interested in the property, and to obtain their intent in writing. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 4866 VT Rt 7A, Town owned property, for automobile extraction practices on the property. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion of Reallocation of FD Administrative Burden: Mr. Zaiac suggested transferring some of the administrative duties of the FD to his Town Administrator office, to take some of the burden off the FD, and help them to be able to focus on fighting fires without having as much paperwork to complete.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:30PM.
Minutes taken by Janet Barry