Minutes – August 16 2016

Minutes of Prudential Committee Meeting

Jericho Fire District no. 1

August 16, 2016

Attendees: Brian Stevens, Fred Lavenberg, John Irving, Ann kroll Lerner, Les Allen

Finances: Brian provided a set of current financial documents; a) Operating Income and Cash Flow, b) Balance Sheet, c) Summary of Income & Expense.

Brian explained that the income statement does not include the 4th qtr. Payments and that the expenses are tracking to the budget. A discussion regarding cash balance and replacement fund accumulation disclosed a slow growth from $17K YE ’14, to $20K YE ’15 to expected $25K YE ’16, with expectations for some major expenses within the next few years.

We discussed the three water leaks that occurred this summer and were fixed. Two of these were water system pipe leaks. The first was in the main line near the wellhead and the second was the main line within the filter building. The third was in a service line to a customer. This is the line from the curb stop to the premise. Our Water System Rules and Regulations define that the cost to maintain and repair service lines is the responsibility of the home owner. These Rules & Regulations can be found on our web site (www.jerichofoothills.org) under ”Recent Posts”, then “Updated Rules & Regs”.

Billing: Several issues arose this quarter related to customers moving out of our service area. In one case, bills were not forwarded to the property owner’s new address, and with the second, the premise was sold and vacated without notification to the Fire District. In both situations we were about to shut off the water and add a service fee to what was owed. Only extra efforts by our Bill Collector prevented this. We urge everyone to remember us. Tell us when you move and who the new owner is.

Technical: John reported that he and Kirk Patch (S.O.S. operator) successfully removed and replaced the malfunctioning booster pump. This is one of two pumps in our reservoir building that produce the needed water and pressure to our homes. The removed pump will be repaired and shelved for backup service.

Other: Les reported that the WNRCD (Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District) is seeking participants for their riparian buffer service. They want to prevent stream erosion by planting trees or shrubs (next year) along streams banks. Les invited them to consider our river property. A visit is scheduled for 9/1/16.

Respectfully submitted;

Les Allen, Clerk, JFD#1

Minutes – January 20 2015

Minutes of Annual Meeting

Jericho Fire District No. 1

January 20, 2015

2015 budget

2014 balance sheet

Prudential Committee Chairman Fred Lavenberg opened the meeting at 7:15 PM to a packed crowd at the Rawson Library conference room.

Article I: Fred asked for nominees for the position of annual meeting moderator. Les Allen was nominated, humbly accepted the nomination and was elected for one year.

Article II: Brian Stevens presented the Treasurer’s report. The balance sheet and the 2014 income and cash flow summary and the 2105 proposed budget (see attachments) were presented. After an explanation and discussion the Treasurers’ Report was accepted.

Article III: The proposed budget was approved as presented. This requires the quarterly water fee to be increased to $200, beginning with the 2nd quarter, 2015.

Article IV: Requests authorization for the Prudential Committee to borrow money for temporary needs of the District. This was approved.

Article V: Brian MacDonald was nominated and elected to a three year term as Prudential Committee

Article VI: Brian Stevens was nominated and elected to a one year term as Treasurer.

Article VII: Les Allen was nominated to a one year term as Clerk.

Article VIII: Mac Lippert was nominated and elected to a one year term as bill collector.

Article VIII: Other business. In appreciation for their dedication and service, a motion was made and passed to give the Prudential Committee members and officers a 100% pay increase. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM to tumultuous applause as the crowd dispersed.

Respectfully submitted

Les Allen Clerk, JFD#1

Minutes – September 16 2014

Minutes of Prudential Committee Meeting

Jericho fire district No. 1

September 16, 2014

FD I&C Summary

Attendees; Fred Lavenberg, Mac Lippert, Les Allen


Leach field construction and UIC (Underground Injection Control) permit status.

Les reported that the leach field construction performed by JA Bedell Excavating, LLC and supervised by Green Mountain Engineering was completed, and we have received the required UIC permit from the state. This permit requires quarterly measurements and reporting in addition to the annual engineering assessment report. A second pump-out of the settling tank in the Fall, was approved.

Conversion of the pump house to natural gas

We observed the work by VT Gas to install the meter, hook-up the heater and pipe a gas line to the generator. The remaining task of converting the generator is expected to be done by Reliant.

Water rate planning

Brian had forward his current financial data to the Prudential Committee for use. These indicate that the YE cash reserve will be significantly below planned. This was caused by two occurrences, the 2013 riverbank erosion re-construction and the 2014 cost to re-construct the leach field. Neither of these expensed were included in the Capital Replacement Fund.  While our current income continues to cover our current expenses, the PC believes that an increase in the water rate is required to re-establish this reserve fund. We expect to identify the needed rate increase at our next meeting and forewarn our members appropriately. Comments and question are welcomed.

Filter re-bed

A question regarding re-bedding the sand filter was not answered. This is a large, periodic expense that we did not know when this was last done. Les will look through records and ask Culligan if needed.

Bill collector needed

No volunteer for this job has come forth and the bills are accumulating in the PO. After a brief discussion, Mac offered to take on this task, but as a PC member he will need to step down from that post. This means that a replacement to complete his Prudential Committee position (till Jan. ’15) must occur before Mac can assume the bill collection task. So now we need a temporary PC member. A quorum to do business is two of the three. A vacancy would be untenable.  So now we need a temporary Prudential Committee member. Anybody?? Please! If no response, some direct contacts will be made.

Respectfully submitted

Les Allen, Clerk, JFD#1