Fire Council Rejects Uncertified Nominee, Approves 22 Officers

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ **Resolutions Passed**
• ◆ Approval of 2026 officer slate (22 nominees): Motion by J. Gilbert/2nd J. Streany — Carried
• ◆ Approval of John Gilbert for Chemical Eng. Capt. via course substitution (UTV operator course for missing Class #2): Motion by J. Delaney/2nd J. Munson — Carried
• ◆ Approval of Dave Altamura for Chemical Eng. 1st Lt. via FDNY bailout substitution (approved on a year-by-year basis): Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Delaney — Carried
• ◆ Acceptance of Ryan Howles' change from active to social membership: Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
• ◆ Approval of Fire Patrol #1's Breakfast with Santa fundraiser (Dec. 14, 9 a.m.–Noon), pending village approval: Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
• ◆ Approval of Hook & Ladder school leave requests for Daniel Markic, Christian Gaona, and Charlotte Gilbert: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
• ◆ Dropping 9 members from Hook & Ladder rolls due to inactivity (Eneo Decka, Benjamin Leuig, Jack Becker, Owen Mintzer, Eric Min, Thomas Kelley, Alden Hou, Jack Fahey, Giorgio Giorcelli, Stefano Giorcelli): Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
• ◆ Purchase of 5 FASNY raffle tickets at $5 each: Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
• ◆ Bill payment of $43.45 to Chris Caterino for inspection tablecloths: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Streany — Carried
• ◆ Reimbursement of $300 to P. Dinkler for top responder gift cards: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Streany — Carried
• ◆ Acceptance of $100 donation from a Batten Rd family sent to Fire Patrol: Motion by T. Kaplan/2nd J. Munson — Carried
• ◆ Acceptance of August & September meeting minutes: Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Streany — Carried
• ◆ Acceptance of Treasurer's Report ($19,691.15 balance): Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Delaney — Carried
• ◆ Delegation of attendance enforcement for one member in violation to the chiefs, with required appearance at the November meeting: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Karpoff — Carried
• ◆ **Resolutions Failed**
• ◆ Nomination of Justin Cusano for Columbia H&L 2nd Lieutenant — Motion to reject by J. Munson/2nd J. Streany — Carried (6 in favor, 2 against, 3 abstained)
• ◆ **Applications Reviewed**
• ◆ None (Planning Board/ZBA items not present)
• ◆ **Public Comments**
• ◆ No formal public comments; attendance included Mayor B. Pugh, Village Manager B. Healy, and Deputy Mayor L. Simon
• ◆ **Reports**
• ◆ **Mayor Pugh**: Announced November housing lottery for apartments at 25 S. Riverside Ave
• ◆ **Village Manager Healy**: No Parking signs going up on Benedict Blvd across from Harmon by next Monday; hydrant near Washington Engine ramp to be piped in the future (not during current parking lot work); EMS building construction behind Harmon Firehouse progressing well; Village Board will honor top responders; department website transitioning from .org to .gov per state requirements
• ◆ **P. Dinkler (Chief)**: Presented top responder gift cards; thanked members for inspection turnout and fire fair success
• ◆ **C. Colombo (1st Asst. Chief)**: Confirmed house sirens will not be used per prior vote; noted EMS building and Washington work progressing well; reported recurring water leak behind Ladder 44 truck
• ◆ **C. Caterino (2nd Asst. Chief)**: Reminded members to check in on each other heading into the holidays; announced upcoming new member training
• ◆ **By-Law Committee (J. Streany)**: Bylaw 7.1.5 (membership classes) reformatted and distributed to companies for review; targeted vote at next council meeting; requested company secretaries be added to minutes distribution
• ◆ **Investigative Committee (J. Karpoff)**: Presented full 2026 slate review; 19 nominees fully qualified; 3 had issues (Gilbert and Altamura approved with substitutions; Cusano rejected for missing CPR, bailout, NIMS ICS-200, and Fire Officer 1 requirements)
• ◆ **Fire Prevention**: Thanked Fire Fair volunteers; thank-you letter to be sent to Shoprite
• ◆ **Unfinished Business**: 503(c) fundraising status nearly resolved; one member's attendance violation being handled by chiefs
• ◆ **New Business**: J. Munson announced he will no longer handle fleet, radios, or pagers at year's end