Cumberland Fire District

The agenda for the meeting included general announcements such as the distribution of the draft 2015-2016 Transition Budget. New business items involved resolutions concerning the payment for Specialty Vehicles, Inc. repairs to the North Cumberland (NC) aerial unit, an insurance payment, the issuance of an Audit Request for Proposal (RFP) for the merged district's financial audits, and matters related to Greenwood Emergency Vehicles. The agenda also called for a review of Planning Session Goals and a Finance Department update. An Executive Session was scheduled to discuss the collective bargaining agreement.

The meeting addressed several agenda items including the ongoing discussion regarding Commissioner Ouellette's request for supportive documents related to Mr. Koutsogiane's accusation concerning prior minutes accuracy. New business included the review of Year-end Financial Reports for the period of July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, and approval of multiple resolutions. These resolutions involved authorizing abatements of certain taxes (FC-R-2015-37), establishing a policy for minutes recording consistent with the Open Meeting Act (FC-R-2016-35), and establishing policy regarding veteran hiring/promotion and National Guard job protection (FC-R-2016-36). The board also authorized payments for major repairs to Truck One ($18,171.14) and Engine Five ($7,260.65), and authorized the engagement of legal counsel for tax sale services.

Key discussions and actions taken during the meeting included the approval of minutes from previous meetings held in May and June 2021. New business featured the approval of the Chief's Report for May 2021 and the Finance Director's Report for May 2021, noting a high tax collection rate of approximately 99%. Resolutions were approved to authorize the Chairperson to contract for the annual audit for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2021, and to authorize the Chief to purchase a new vehicle, a 2022 Chevy Equinox, for the Fire Prevention Inspector. Additionally, authorization was granted to retire Engine 1, a 2004 Pierce Enforcer, and proceed with disposal options. The committee also initiated discussion regarding the process for moving Fire Committee Meetings back to an in-person format, subject to further investigation on authority pursuant to Rhode Island regulations.

The Special Meeting agenda included a moment of silence and pledge of allegiance, general announcements regarding a future round table discussion on November 21, 2015, and two community meetings scheduled for December 1st and December 3rd to review the first year and publish 2016 goals. New business items covered finance reports (ending August 31 and September 30), updates on audits, the Chief's Report, and several resolutions (R-2015-48 for Social Media Manager, R-2015-49 for Apollo Safety, R-2015-50 for Hiring of Tax Sale Attorney, and R-2015-51 regarding the Report of the 3 Platoon Review Committee Findings, including a segment for public input).

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing the three task forces appointed at the Fall 2015 Round Table meeting: Insurance Review, Capital Expenditure, and Quarterly Tax Payment. Financial reports for the months ending October 31, 2015, and November 30, 2015, were scheduled for review, alongside the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Audits for VFFD, CFD, CHFD, and NCFD. The meeting also addressed the transition to a new meeting schedule beginning in January 2016. Note: The details regarding the complex discussion and amendment votes concerning the November 10, 2015 minutes are excluded as per instructions.