E-mail to CCFD Board Members

To: Fred P. Gralinski – President     Marie A. Baker – Vice President     Cynthia Fagan-Perry - Director     Robert G. Hadley - Director     
Maureen K. Jendzejec  - Director     Helen G. Quinn - Director     
Daniel G Lantz Jr. - Director

Good afternoon Mr. Gralinski:
It is my understanding that there is a scheduled meeting of the CCFD Board this evening starting at 7:30 pm. Since I have a prior appointment and may not be able to be in attendance at the start of the meeting I wanted to send along some thoughts and concerns related to the posted agenda and items for discussion. 

#5 on the agenda indicates the Board may vote to convene in Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1). Discussions related to equipment as indicated on the agenda are generally not held in Executive Session and to do so would seem to be improper. I would suggest that any discussions related to the equipment of the District be held in public with District residents having the right to hear and respond to the Board members commentary. What's the secret about a piece of equipment?

#8 on the agenda relates to another equipment issue-the CCFD Tower Ladder #3. Since I may not be able to attend when this discussion is ongoing I wanted to take this opportunity to make my position known to you and the other Board members. At the prior Board meeting you said this was to be a discussion/work session related to the Ladder Truck. 

My concerns are as follows: 

a. has the Board asked for and/or obtained information from the Town as to its position on this piece of equipment as it is the only one like it in Coventry and therefore it affects all Town residents?;

b. has the Board asked for and/or received information from the Chief of Police who acts as the EMA Director to determine what his position is on the Ladder Truck?;

c. has the Board asked for and/or received an analysis of what sending the Ladder Truck back to the dealer does to the District's insurance rating and how that may impact the residents of the District?;

d. has the Board asked for and/or received any information from neighboring communities as to the certain availability of like equipment in the event we no longer have use of this Ladder Truck? We know Cranston has already indicated they are not sending apparatus per the prior letter the Board has so what about the other neighboring communities?

e. has the Board asked for and/or received a report from an independent entity re the pros and cons of keeping the Ladder Truck? 

The above concerns are just a handful that I have and would need answered before I as a District taxpayer could make informed comment to the Board during a work session designed to have a well reasoned response to this important safety issue. Since you are all Board members and tasked with looking out for everyone I would expect you would have the same and even additional questions. 

How can we as District taxpayers form an educated opinion and come to a conclusion without the information? If it is available I would ask it be posted in a conspicuous and easily accessible way so it can be reviewed.

I did check the CCFD site for the other Board members e-mails but did not see that info posted yet so please forward this to them and share it with them as you see fit. If it can be included in the minutes I also make that request via this correspondence.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns related to the above correspondence and if I can rearrange my schedule I will make sure to attend.

Ray Angell III