NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION
Wildwood, N.J. Thursday September 11, 2008
President Heflich called the meeting to order at the Convention Center meeting room, at 9:37 a.m.
Chaplain Rev. MSR. Fitzsimmons gave the invocation.
Vice President Gunson led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll call was held. All members were present with the exception of Donald Simmons Sr. from Passaic County who was excused due to illness.
The following guests were also in attendance, Past Executive Committeemen
Milton Cole, Ken Wigglesworth, Al Bailey and newly elected Monmouth County Executive Committeeman Robert Kelly. Also Counsel Barry Parker, Chairman Memorial Comm. Joe Sacco, Chairman, Rev. Jago and Rev. Msgr. Fitzsimmons.
Retiring Monmouth County Executive Committeeman Wayne Kepler, introduced
newly elected Executive Committeeman from Monmouth County Robert J. Kelly (Applause).
President Heflich welcomed all the guests and then pointed out the fire exits.
APPEALS: None (0)
Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting held on July 19, 2008. In as much
as the minutes have been distributed to all members, Mr. McNulty moved and Mr. Ordway seconded it that they be accepted. The motion was carried.
LIFE MEMBERS: None (0)
OFFICERS REPORTS:
PRESIDENT HEFLICH PRESENTED HIS REPORT:
Thanked all the Officers and Executive Committeemen for all their help received during my first year as your President.
We have been notified that the Governor will be here to address the Convention on Friday at 1:15 p.m.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: A constitution and by-law change made in Nov. 2007, if a stroke or heart attack occurs within a 24 hour period after an alarm and we denied that claim due to our rules and the Home Town Heroes Act approves that claim, we will review that claim that we previously denied. A claim that we denied in 2006 was reviewed and paid at our August 2008 Advisory Meeting to a family in Cape May County.
At the Caucus meetings there were two or three that we had problems with. I will address them under Executive Session.
We approved the Firemen�s Home budget at a meeting at the Firemen�s Home attended by myself, Vice President Gunson and Treasurer Osborn. The budget increased 3.6 %, for a total of about 7.1 million dollars.
To all Executive Committeemen, any problems or questions pertaining to the Firemen�s Home must be given to the County Manager or to Chairman Oscar Dutch. We will not be handling any issues pertaining to the Firemen�s Home.
Please be advised that there is an error on the Convention program. The scheduled Honor Guard backed out at the last minute. The Paramus Fire Dept. Honor Guard stepped up to help us and we didn�t have time to proof the changes. As a result the Honor Guard is incorrectly listed from Middlesex County instead of Bergen County.
The new Secretary/Treasurers manuals will be sent after the Convention and after completion will be mailed or distributed to Local Association Secretaries & Treasurer�s that have not yet received them.
VICE PRESIDENT GUNSON PRESENTED HIS REPORT:
At the recent Caucuses our new computer system worked well with very few problems. There were no rejections of any new cards that were made up.
Thanks to all Officers and Executive Committeemen for their assistance during my first year in office, I greatly appreciate it.
We did not allow any changes of Delegates or Alternates at this year�s Caucuses.
Web page is up and running and is a work in progress project. They are working on the new system and some minor date changes need to be resolved.
Convention seating charts are available for all Executives after the meeting.
SECRETARY WEINBERG PRESENTED HIS REPORT:
TREASURER OSBORN PRESNTED HIS REPORT:
I received today reports from the independent auditors and copies should be in each member�s folder.
As of this meeting we still have three outstanding checks, totaling $ 70,111.96 that have not been deposited by the local Associations.
FIELD EXAMINER HORSCH PRESENTED HIS REPORT:
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Report Submitted
SPECIAL RELIEF COMMITTEE:
Chairman Mellert reported that this year we paid seven addition applications over last year. That amounts to $ 9,270.00 over the previous year.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: Report Submitted
PENSION COMMITTEE:
The Committee met prior to this meeting and normal business was discussed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Report Submitted
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE:
Report will be given at the Convention.
COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE: No report
JUNIOR FIRE FIGHTERS STUDY: No report
DISTRIBUTION of FUNDS COMMITTEE:
Chairman Finnegan reported that we are waiting for a date to meet with the Division of Banking & Insurance.
N.J. FIREMEN�S HOME COMMITTEE:
Chairman Dutch will give a report at the Convention.
DELEGATE & LIFE MEMBER EXPENSE COMMITTEE:
Chairman Reeves reported that there would be a meeting at the State office on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. to review next year�s convention expenses.
LINE of DUTY COMMITTEE: No report
ELECTRONIC FILING COMMITTEE:
Chairman Finnegan reported that a survey was taken a while ago and that 45% of all associations responded. 209 associations were in favor of going with electronic filing as opposed to 35 against. It should be followed up. President Heflich reported that it would be worked on when we return from the convention. A meeting will be set with Chairman Finnegan and the computer people.
APPLICATIONS: None (0)
OLD BUSINESS: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion by Mr. Harvey and seconded by Mr. Ordway to go into Executive Session at 9:56 a.m. All approved.
Regular meeting resumed at 10:18 a.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
A discussion was held on the letter submitted by Executive Committeeman Gary Mathews explaining what took place at the Ocean County Caucus. Their request was to increase the fuel allowance to the amount of $ 50.00 for all delegates and Life Members attending both sessions of the convention. Mr. Dreby made a motion to deny their request for the increase for two reasons. One the overall impact for the entire state and second because there was an adjustment made this year to the expenses of Delegates and Life Members coming to the Convention along with the additional stipend for gas. Seconded by many. Roll call vote. Yes � 20 No � 1 Motion approved.
A motion was made by Mr. Reeves and seconded by Mr. Drury to approve and pay the annual Five Mile Vol. Firemen�s Association invoice request for $ 5,000.00 to cover security and handicapped services during the Convention. Roll call vote.
Yes � 20 No � 1 Motion approved.
President Heflich requested permission for both the President and Vice President to attend both the League of Municipalities and the Annual CFI Dinner in Washington. A motion was made by Mr. Ordway and seconded by Mr. Harvey to approve attendance and expenses as requested. Roll call vote.
Yes � 20 Abstention � 1 Motion approved.
GOOD OF THE ORDER:
Mr. Jones thanked all for their cards, letters and telephone calls during his time in the hospital.
Mr. Wigglesworth thanked all for their cards and letters and prayers during his stay in the hospital. Please continue the prayers, as I will go in for triple by-pass surgery on Monday October 20, 2008. Thank you again and I will see you all at the next meeting.
President Heflich reported that the large bronze NJSFA Maltese Cross emblem that hung on the outside of our old building will be transported to the Convention center and hung in an appropriate place, so all can view, all year long.
Mr. Harvey noted that the two Memorial Firemen�s State Association flags now fly in the convention hall all year long and will not be taken down.
Mr. Christensen thanked the President for his work in resolving the North Wildwood parking meter problem for both Friday and Saturday.
It was noted that Mr. D. Simmons is now out of the hospital and returned home.
Mr. Harvey reported as follows:
1 - The tramcars on the boardwalk will be running. They will start at 8a.m. on Friday morning and 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.
2 � There will be a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross at Convention hall on Friday Sept. 12th.
3 � Best wishes to Mr. Dreby on his retirement as Police Chief and the retirement from the State Firemen�s Association of Executive Committeemen W. Kepler and C. Voorhees. (Applause).
Mr. Kepler thanked everyone for the honor of serving with them. I have enjoyed it and we have a great organization. (Applause).
Mr. Voorhees also thanked everyone for the honor of serving with them with special thanks to President Heflich. (Applause).
Mr. Gallo reported that Mr. Reagan sends his regards and is doing well, but will not be attending the Convention.
Mr. Stauffer spoke about the good job that Mr. Voorhees has done and wished him good luck in his retirement.
President Heflich appointed the following escorts when the Governor arrives on Friday. Mr. Voorhees, Mr. Dreby, Mr. Kepler and Mr. Harvey.
Rev. Jago gave the benediction.
Being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. McNulty and seconded by
many to adjourn the meeting. All approved.
Meeting adjourned at 11:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sanford (Sandy) Weinberg
Secretary
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