Minutes – September 22, 2009
The third meeting for the purpose of organizing an association of retired Hamden firefighters was called to order by Chairman Mark Barletta at 7:15 p.m. at the Liberty Community Church, 540 Washington Avenue, North Haven on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.
Members present: Badamo, Barletta, Chase, Doherty, Doiron, Dunlop, Forsyth, Johnson, Kenyon, Koutsopolos, Manware, Mayhew, J. McDermott, R. Mordecai, Purificato, Spencer, Williams, Yocher, Yoga (19) and Ed Doiron, Jr. (guest).
Chairman Barletta asked all present to rise and observe a moment of silence in memory of member Sal “Cookie” Ferraro, who passed away on August 11th, as well as for all others of our firefighting family who are no longer with us.
The secretary read the minutes of the June 9th meeting. He noted that there are several more living veterans of World War II than were reported in the June 9th minutes. At the time of the June 9th meeting, the living WWII veterans were Warren Blake, Sal Ferraro, Burt Hillocks, Jack Laffin, Richard Lostritto, Joe McDermott, Hugh McLean, Sid Trower and Gerry Wolf. As previously noted, Sal “Cookie” Ferraro passed away August 11th.
A motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the June 9th meeting minutes as corrected.
(9/26 - Secretary’s Note: The passing of Warren Blake was announced in the September 26th edition of The New Haven Register. Warren had died Tuesday, September 15, 2009, in Williamsburg, Virginia. More information is included in a postscript to these minutes.)
Treasurer Chick Manware reported that the $103 received from the members attending the June meeting had been deposited in the credit union, along with $50 in donations that were received from Bill Marak, Paul Durkin and Joe McDermott, for a total of $153.00.
Dave reported that he spent $50 at Hamden Florists for a flower arrangement for Sal Ferraro’s funeral and $28 on postage for postcard meeting notices for non-email members. He received a phone call from Cookie’s wife, Carol, the afternoon of tonight’s meeting. She wanted to let everyone know how much she and the rest of the Ferraro family appreciated the turnout for Cookie and for the floral arrangement.
Brian Forsyth suggested that we look into Stop & Shop for future floral arrangements. Their prices are comparatively low, the arrangements quite good, and they usually can deliver. Brian offered to make local flower deliveries, too.
Ralph Purificato reported that the entire mission statement committee met the previous Thursday and came up with a draft for a mission statement for the Association:
Hamden Fire Retirees’ Association
Organized 2009
The Hamden Fire Retirees’ Association is an independent, non-political social organization established by retired career members of the Hamden Fire Department to meet periodically to promote their fraternal and social fellowship, to share information that may be beneficial or of interest to its members, and to preserve the historical record of the Hamden Fire Department for the benefit of all.
The Association shall be open to all retired and former Hamden Fire Department career personnel, and other individuals whom the Association may choose to invite.
A motion was made by Chick Manware and seconded by Doug Yocher to accept the mission statement for the Hamden Fire Retirees’ Association. The motion passed unanimously.
Dave Johnson reported for the History Committee. Dave thanked the many people who have submitted photos and other historical material and hopes more members will become involved as the Association grows. We now have over 70 retired members signed up. The Association website (www.hamdenfireretirees.org) was set up right after the June meeting. The response has been very favorable. So far, photos, home movies, videos, old newspaper articles or memoirs have been received from Carl Backus, Dick Carney, John Corbett, Tom Doherty, Ed Doiron, Jim Dunlop, Ed Emerson, Dave Johnson, Ken Jones (Sam Jones’ son), Harold Mangler, Joe McDermott, John O’Hare, Mark Pratt, Bob Slater, Gil Spencer, Tim Sullivan, Bob Viglione and Gerry Wolf. We have also received material from Dep. Chief Clark Hurlburt and Capt. Bill Fitzmaurice, as well as from former Hamden resident Chandler Brainard, who has amassed over 60 years’ worth of Hamden Fire Department photos and memorabilia. The website has had well over 3,000 hits, and much more stuff is waiting to be posted.
It was noted that Station 4 was closed this afternoon for what is expected to be an 18 to 24 month renovation of the apparatus floor and living quarters. This is the first major structural renovation to the 85-year old building since 1940. For the duration, the Squad (formerly Engine 4) will run out of Station 3 and Rescue 1 will run out of Station 5. The first alarm territories for Engines 2, 5 and 9 will be expanded accordingly.
OLD BUSINESS
Mark suggested that we discuss where to meet and how often. Several members suggested that once we get the Association formally established we should meet quarterly, in fall, winter, spring and summer, but keep the option of holding come-if-you-can “Dutch” lunches more frequently, for informal socializing like the retired Hamden cops do.
John O’Hare called the secretary just before tonight’s meeting. He suggested that we try to have meetings during the daylight hours to make attendance easier for those who do not like to drive at night. Other retirees have expressed this idea, too.
Brian Forsyth reiterated his earlier offer of free use of the Hamden Elk’s Lodge for dinner meetings on second or fourth Tuesdays. He mentioned the menu offerings, which would be only $6 a head.
A discussion followed. The members present decided to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, November 10th at the Elk’s Hall on School Street in Hamden. There will be an optional $6 a head dinner at 6 PM, followed by a meeting at 7 PM. The menu will be announced on the website and also on reminder postcards to be sent out in late October. If possible, members who plan to attend are asked to take members who do not wish to drive at night.
NEW BUSINESS
In conjunction with the new mission statement, Dave will try to contact the several non-retired former HFD career members and let them know about the Association. Also, he suggested that we might want to invite widows of deceased Hamden firefighters as honorary members so that they may also remain connected. Some of the widows already know about the Association and have expressed such an interest. He will contact as many of the widows that can be identified and invite them to receive correspondence and emails. (Note: Due to confidentiality issues, we are unable to obtain official lists of retirees or retirees’ widows from the Town. Any leads from members would be appreciated.)
It was the general consensus that the Association ought to be incorporated to protect the membership from any unforeseen legal exposures.
Also, there was a discussion on how we might obtain status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A 501(c)(3) status would enable the Association to receive donations that would be tax-exempt. Dave Johnson, Rich Mayhew and Joe Yoga will investigate.
There was a discussion about setting a nominal annual dues fee to enable the Association to do mailings, provide for a Sunshine Committee to send cards, flowers or fruit baskets when the need arises, and for appropriate operating expenses that may be necessary. The consensus of the members present was that one-dollar a month per member, or annual dues of $12, would be sufficient and reasonable.
A motion was made by Bob Mordecai and seconded by Joe Yoga that the annual dues for the Association be $12 for the calendar year 2010, payable by January 1, 2010. The motion passed unanimously. Due notices for 2010 will be sent out in November, but we will accept 2010 dues payments anytime before then.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ASSOCIATION
Rich Mayhew suggested that we individually contact Senators Dodd and Lieberman, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and express our views regarding possible plans to tax the value of our medical benefits.
Mark Barletta reported that he had spoken with Dennis Cosgrove, who is living in Texas and would be visiting CT a day or two after our meeting.
Dave Johnson reported that he received a call from Harold Prescher, who is living in Bethlehem, NH. Harold does not have a computer, but would enjoy hearing from the members. His address is PO Box 565, Bethlehem, NH 03754 (Tel. 603-991-6231).
Also, Paul Reutenauer is in Florida and would enjoy hearing from members. His email is Preut1@aol.com; his mailing address is 2240 Avon Loop, The Villages, FL 32162.
Bob Mordecai suggested that retirees younger than 65 who have older spouses should check with the Social Security Administration regarding their older spouse’s eligibility for Medicare when they turn 65.
$82 was collected from the members present and turned over to Treasurer pro-tem Chick Manware.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David G. Johnson
Secretary