|
Abridged Report with attachments
ABRIDGED REPORT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION WILDWOOD, NJ, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
The meeting was called to order by President Ordway at 9am in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. He stated that notice of this meeting was posted on the New Jersey State Firemen’s website as required pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975). The fire exits were pointed out.
Vice President Hankins led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Second Assistant Secretary Dreby gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
First Assistant Secretary Martone announced that all members were present. Also in attendance were Middlesex County Executive Committeeman Elect William Smith, Past President Frank Gunson, Past Executive Committeemen Wayne Kepler and Neil Gallo, Past Field Examiner James Kenny,
PRESENTATIONS:
- President Ordway then presented to Joseph Valentino, a member of the Oakhurst Firemen’s Relief Association a resolution honoring him as the National Junior Firefighter of the year. Joseph, also an Eagle Scout, put together a Recruitment Project for the Long Branch Fire Department which resulted in an increase of 25% membership. Joseph also was awarded Junior Firefighter of the year by the NVFC. He is the second Junior Firefighter of the year from New Jersey.
- President Ordway presented a gift to Outgoing Middlesex County Executive Committeeman Andrew Mazzarella, who chose not to run for re-election.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
Vice President Hankins:
Vice President Hankins said he had no written report and asked all of the executives to check on our website and review the caucus schedule for 2025 for the correct date and place.
Secretary Pelaia:
His written report is in your packet and will be part of the Red Book. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, we received 1,416 new applications for membership, 778 members received their Qualification, and 334 members received their Life Membership to the Convention. Unfortunately, we had 884 members pass away.
First Assistant Secretary Martone:
His report has been submitted and is in the packets. theHistory of the Association is almost complete. It will be on our website shortly under the Manuals Tab.
Second Assistant Secretary Dreby:
He reported that everything is set for the Memorial Service on Friday, beginning at 11am.
Treasurer Mullin:
His report has been submitted and is in the packets, He asked that all of the officers and executives review Item #3 in his report. That section is regarding the Direct Deposit of pay checks.
Field Examiner Hollingsworth:
Her report is in your packet. At the time the report was three associations had not submitted their Relief Apps. Three associations have since submitted them. There is a list of associations that still need to submit their 2023 Relief Applications. She asked that the Executive Committeepersons contact those associations in their respective counties and remind them to hand them in. President Ordway asked the executives to follow up on this request and if necessary, get the applications from the outstanding associations. If the executive cannot get them, he will assist in picking them up. Field Examiner Hollingsworth stated that she has been asked which counties are up for Field Exams. She reported that it will be 1/2 of Burlington, Morris and Monmouth counties, and Middlesex, Salem, Union, and Warren counties.
Counsel Cavallo and Assistant Counsel Morris:
No reports.
President Ordway:
- The State Office will be closed October 14, November 5, and November 11 for various holidays.
- All applications for Special and Supplemental Relief must be submitted to the
office no later than December 2, 2024, to be considered for this year.
- The issues with members having problems opening documents on their computers
has been rectified. Anyone who continues to have problems should notify President Ordway
directly.
- Third Quarter Relief paid reports are due by October 30, 2024.
- Forms 106 and 107 (Pink and Blues) are due in the office November 1, 2024
- Convention /Life Members Expense Affidavits should be retained by the Association.
Do not send them into the State Office
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Phillips, seconded by Executive Committeeman Kelly, to accept both the Abridged and Verbatim Minutes from the July 20, 2024, meeting. Passed 21-0
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Advisory: Chairman Walker said that the report is in the packets.
Compendium: Chairman Roemmich had no report.
Delegate/Life Member: Chairman Florio said there will be a meeting shortly after Convention.
Finance: Treasurer Mullen stated that the report is in the packet and will be read at Convention.
Firemen’s Home: A written report is in the packets. Chairman Otterbein stated that there is a lot going on at the Home and he urged everyone to read it.
Health Care: Executive Committeeman Reeves’ report is in the packet.If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact him.
Investment: Executive Committeeman Handlin’s written report is in the packets. The committee met via zoom with our brokers, and because the Federal Reserve is lowering interest rates, we are in the process of moving our investments from Mutual Funds to Government Bonds.
Legislative: First Assistant Secretary Martone’s report is in the packets.
Long Range Planning: No report.
Pension: Treasurer Mullen reported that they met prior to this meeting and discussed outgoing Executive Committeeman Mazzarella’s pension and new Executive Committeeman Smith’s application.
Programs Review: No report.
Resolution: Assistant Counsel Morris had no report for this meeting but will report on the resolutions at the Convention.
Salary Committee: No report.
Fire Safety Commission: Chairman Naylis The commission will be meeting this morning at the Wildwood Crest Firehouse. Chairman Naylis will have a written report after this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
- NEW BRUNSWICK: At the July meeting, a motion was made by the Middlesex County Executive Committeeman to put this association Out of Accord, He stated that he tried to work with them regarding the relief they were granting and other issues. New Brunswick notified the State Office that they would like to meet with the officers of the State Association regarding this. A meeting was held, and all of the State officers met with all of the New Brunswick officers at the State Office. As a result of this meeting, First Assistant Secretary Martone and Field Examiner Hollingsworth reviewed their minutes and relief applications and found that they were in order. The officers of the New Brunswick association were told that the Executive Committee would have to vote at this meeting to remove them from being Out of Accord. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Florio, seconded by Executive Committeeman Kelly to place New Brunswick back into accord. They remain under review.
On a Roll Call Vote: PASSED 21-0.
- OFFICER rEIMBURSEMENT FOR ATTENDING SPECIAL MEETING:
At the last Executive Meeting there was discussion regarding reimbursing officers who attend local and county meetings at the request of an Executive Committee person. It was held up awaiting Counsel Review. Counsel Cavallo stated that there is no conflict. President Ordway then stated that the executive needed to call the President or Vice President requesting that the officer attend. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Lane, seconded by Executive Committeeman Figueroa, to approve this. On a Roll Call Vote: PASSED 20-0. (Executive Committeeman Naylis had left the meeting.)
- APPROVAL FOR CONVENTON ALLOWANCES FOR CURRENT AND PAST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS:
At the July 20, 2024, Executive Meeting there was discussion on the Convention Allowance for current and Past Executive Committee. Vice President Hankins sent all involved an e-mail regarding this and all were in approval. All recipients approved it. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Otterbein, seconded by Executive Committeeman Kurdyla, to approve the Convention allowance for current and past Executive Committee Officers. PASSED On a Roll Call Vote 20-0.
- ASSOCIATIONS TO BE TAKEN OFF REVIEW:
Executive Committeeman Minell asked that the following associations be taken off Review: Morristown, Long Valley, Florham Park. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Minell, seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer. PASSED 20-0.
- Associations to be put on review:
Field Examiner Hollingsworth asked that the following associations be put on Review: Passaic, Hoboken, Highland Park, and Jamesburg. On a Motion from Executive Committeeman Kelly, seconded my Executive Committeeman Mecsey. PASSED 20-0.
- Relief Scale to be added to Web Page:
Executive Committeeman Speigel requested that the relief scale be put on the website. President Ordway responded that it was, but due to a mis under-standing, Executive Committeeman Speigel explained that he would like the Local Relief for the association to be put on the Officer’s Reports tab. President Ordway said that we will work on it.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) A motion was made that the officers be allowed to attend the League Of Municipalities Convention. On a motion by Executive Committeeman Figueroa, seconded by Executive Committeeman Phillips. On a Roll Call Vote (PASSED) 20-0.
2) We received a request from the Point Pleasant Beach Firemen’s Relief Association to remove a member for theft of fire company funds. The member was apprised of a hearing but did not show up. The Advisory Committee recommend that we remove member 291-02-339. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Mecsey, seconded by Executive Committeeman Lane to remove this member.
PASSED On a Roll Call Vote 20-0.
3) We received a request from the Greenwich Township Firemen’s Relief Association to remove a member under the Moral Turpitude article in the Compendium. The member was apprised of a hearing but did not show up. The Advisory Committee recommend that we remove member 492-01-0032. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Walker, seconded by Executive Committeeman Kurdyla. to remove this member. PASSED On a roll Call Vote 20-0.
4) Executive Committeeman Handlin, the chairman of the Investment Committee, made a motion that we sell off our Mutual Funds and purchase bonds as was recommended by our advisors to the Investment Committee.
PASSED On a Roll Call Vote 20-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Firemen’s Home Manager Cassmiro DeLaurentis stated that he was retiring and thanked everyone for their support for the 13 years that he was the Manager from Camden County.
New Brunswick Fire Director Robert Rawls wished Executive Committeeman Mazzarella good luck in his retirement and said that Executive Mazzarella was always available for assistance when needed.
Former Field Examiner James Kenny introduced William Smith who will be the next Executive Committeeman from Middlesex County.
Good of the Order:
President Ordway then introduced New Executive Committeeman Smith, wishing him well. Mr. Smith thanked President Ordway and thanked everyone for their support, and he looks forward to serving our Association.
Executive Committeeman Mecsey stated this year was his first year as an Executive Committeeman and thanked the Officers and Executive Committee for their guidance this past year.
Executive Committeeman Walker then thanked the Officers and Executives for their support with his re-election to the Executive Committee.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business that needed to be discussed, a motion was made by Executive Committeeman Mecsey, seconded by Executive Scheuer to adjourn the meeting at 10:05am PASSED
Respectfully Submitted
Thomas J. Pelaia
Secretary
|