WEATHERSFIELD FIRE COMMISSION

Minutes - August 4, 2010

West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Station

1: Call to Order-

Pat Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

2: Attendance-

Members Present: Darrin Spaulding, Jeff Ingalls, and Pat Daniels

Public Present: Josh Compo, Rodney Spaulding, Josh Dauphin, and John Keniston.

3: Comments from Citizens-

There was none.

4. Additions to Agenda-

Darrin Spaulding would like to discuss zoning for mobile home parks under new business.

5: Approve Minutes of Last Meeting(s)

Darrin Spaulding made a motion to accept the minutes of July 7, 2010 as presented. Jeff Ingalls seconded it. All were unanimous.

6. Review Fire Commission Financial Monthly Report(s)

1. Designated Fund Balances

The Commission reviewed the monthly report.

7: Old Business

1. Dry Hydrant Grant Update

Pat Daniels stated how the Town is putting out to bid the dry hydrant located on Drumlin Road. The Select Board should approve it at their next meeting on August 5, 2010. The bids need to be submitted by August 18, 2010 by noon. The work needs to be completed by October 14, 2010. There will be a mandatory site visit for all interested contractors on August 16, 2010 at 8:00 AM.

2. Weathersfield Bow Hydrant update

The Commission received copies of the bill from Jarvis and Sons which has been paid. Darrin Spaulding stated that it does work.

Pat Daniels stated how she had been contacted Jay Stevens about the issue in the Bow. She told him that the taxes have been paid, or a contract is in effect. If Jay Stevens has an issue, it is not with the dry hydrant. It is how the Weathersfield Bow Association should not have to pay taxes on that property. Pat Daniels told him see if they could prove that they are a non-profit organization. It is up to the Town. It could go on a warrant at the Town Meeting.

3. Ascutney Village Hydrant updates (Heiser's)

Pat Daniels received a note from Jim Mullen saying that he had received a stream alteration repair. Copies were sent to Pat Daniels and Darrin Spaulding. Darrin Spaulding said that it has been done by Jarvis and Sons per Jim Mullen's approval. They worked there on Monday and Tuesday. The bolt was loose, lacked a gasket, and was sucking up muck. They installed new gaskets and tightened the bolts. They took off 4 and half feet of ledge in front and behind the screen. They made a landing with some of the ledge and left it there for future use. Jarvis's recommends putting funds in the budget for hydrant maintenance each year. Pat Daniels stated that the Commission might need to ask the Select Board to increase the amount. Darrin Spaulding mentioned that the dry hydrant on Cowdrey Road is out of service due to lack of water.

8: New Business

1. Jeff Eaton

Pat Daniels stated how Jeff Eaton contacted her, Darrin Spaulding, and Ray Stapleton to inform them that he is interested in a dry hydrant off of his pond on Perkins Hill Road. He was not able to attend this meeting. The distance from the pond to the road is 75 yards with 40 yards from the pond to the back of his barn. He maintains the area around his barn year around. The Commission felt that they would need to do a site visit. The Commission will probably not do a site visit till the fall. Jeff Eaton said that the pond is 27 feet deep in the deepest part. He does have an artesian well that flows constantly. Pat Daniels will send him a copy of the minutes and check with him in the future.

b) John Keniston

Pat Daniels stated that there are wetlands on the property, but no pond. If John Keniston put a pond in, the Commission could consider a hydrant. John Keniston stated that he has wet areas, but it is undeveloped. He stated that there is no sense for him to dig a pond without a feasibility study to show that it would work. Pat Daniels stated that maybe he could talk with his neighbors in regards to contributing to the expense of the study. The alpaca farm on Wheeler Camp Road put in a pond on their property and a dry hydrant with the expense being covered by the landowners. John Keniston wanted to know from the Commission where he could find the resources. Pat Daniels mentioned how he could contact Jarvis and Sons and there is a man in Chester that does it too. If the size of the pond is more than 5000 cubic feet, an engineer would need to be involved. John Keniston stated how he almost did not get home insurance due to the distance to the fire departments. Darrin Spaulding mentioned how there are other people in the neighborhood who currently have ponds on their property. Pat Daniels said that the Commission could look into ISO ratings with 4 inch hose. Darrin Spaulding stated that she could contact Norwich Deputy Chief about ISO ratings. Norwich got it down to 3 or 4, but there is a lot of paperwork involved.

b) zoning for mobile homes

Darrin Spaulding stated how a fire was reported in Hastings Mobile Home Park. It was out when the fire department arrived. Next to the mobile home with the fire was a mobile home with a 16 by 8 addition. The mobile homes up there are so close together that it would make it difficult to fight a fire there. Pat Daniels mentioned how she does not know the setback requirements in mobile home parks. The Commission could ask deForest Bearse to come to a meeting to discuss this. Diana Day stated how buildings need to be so many feet apart from abutters, but in a mobile home park the land is owned by one owner. The owners of the mobile home do not own the land.

9: Next Meeting Agenda Items

1. Dry Hydrant Grant Update

2. Emergency Reimbursement Ordinance

Pat Daniels stated how Windsor recently passed an Emergency Reimbursement Ordinance. She would like it on the Commission's next meeting in September. She has received a copy of their fee schedule which is close to ours.

Also, with the agreement with the Town, there are things that the fire departments need to get done in a certain time frame. Please make sure that they get done. The fire departments should be looking at their budgets soon and they could do their annual report anytime.

Darrin Spaulding would like to look into getting a dry hydrant near the Old Bow Road and Bowen Hill Road.

Darrin Spaulding and Jeff Ingalls would like to get copies of the insurance policy from the Town. They are currently getting quotes from other insurance agencies for coverage. They are sending in information to the Vermont League of City and Towns for a quote too.

10: Adjourn

Darrin Spaulding made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM. Jeff Ingalls seconded it. All were unanimous to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Day