*M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE ON
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Oros, Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, and Young. Staff: Vita, Schecter.
ALSO PRESENT: Bill Randolph, County Executive’s office; Richard Wishnie, Legislator, District 9; Mark Tulis, Esq.; Lois Rosen, Esq.; David Simpson, Program Specialist-BOL;
FIRE ADVISORY BOARD:
Henry Bergson: Is a resident of Katonah and has been appointed to the Fire Advisory Board for the term January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2003. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners in the Katonah Fire Department. He has worked himself up the ranks from firefighter in 1970 to present. Due to inclement weather, he missed several meetings, but will be at the next. He looks forward to serving on this Board, noting the make up is a good cross section of the different associations and groups. He has been to the Fire Training Center and has seen the new CAD system up and running and notes they are both on their way to success. Once the local departments know how well the system works, it will be beneficial and bring confidence to those who are not hooked into the system.
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment is approved by a 7-0 vote.
Peter S. Guyett: Is a resident of Mahopac and has been appointed to the Fire Advisory Board for the term January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2003. He has been a firefighter since 1971 and has worked himself up to the rank of Fire Commissioner in the City of Yonkers Fire Department. This is his first time serving on an Advisory Board, Commissioner Tom Loria served in the past. He looks forward to providing his expertise from working within a large combination fire department.
*APPROVED 4/23/01; VJP/ACS
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Legislator Stewart-Cousins said Mr. Guyett’s background would prove to be an asset on the Advisory Board. He is a graduate of Westchester Community College and has been awarded several citations. For years Mrs. Stewart-Cousins has worked with Mr. Guyett and welcomed his expertise to the County.
On the motion of Legislator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the appointment was approved by a 7-0 vote.
Julian Kaiser: Is a resident of Brewster and has been appointed to the Fire Advisory Board for the term January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001. For the past 20 years, he is employed as a paid Firefighter in the Pelham Fire Department, which is a full service combination department. He is a NYS certified Code Enforcement Official; Vice President of the Pelham Firefighter Union and fills in as Acting Chief when on the Chief is on leave.
He has attended several Advisory Board meetings and feels confident with the new fire control system. He has concerns with the radio communications and the Mutual Aid system. There are problems with the radio frequencies, which needs to be addressed further. He will be visiting the Dutchess County dispatcher's office to review their system, and will report his findings to the Board.
On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment was approved by a 7-0 vote.
The Committee members asked for a list of Fire Advisory Board members, broken down by paid vs. volunteer employees; at-large members; who they are replacing and what association are they affiliated with. This list is requested by the next COD meeting, which will be held on Monday, April 23rd at 3 p.m.
Lois N. Rosen: The County Attorney drafted a proposed resolution requesting an Ethics Waiver for former Senior Assistant County Attorney Lois N. Rosen. Ms. Rosen would like to accept employment with the law firm of Oxman, Tulis, Kirkpatrick, Whyatt and Geiger, P.C., an entity, which has performed legal services for the County’s Department of Law.
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Ms. Rosen was employed in private practice with former County Attorney Alan Scheinkman prior to his employment with the County of Westchester. She joined him in the Law Department to assist with legal services involving Co Edison and Peekskill law suites. When Mr. Scheinkman left County employment, Ms. Rosen followed shortly thereafter.
Mr. Tulis explained that this is a new law firm, but the County had been working with another partner (Mark Oxman) on several County litigation cases. Mr. Tulis assured the Committee members that Ms. Rosen would not be allowed any offers that deal with the County of Westchester. With such short notice, Mr. Tulis said Ms. Rosen would work as a separate entity and abide by the rules until the Board approves the waiver.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Oros, the request for an Ethic Waiver is hereby approved by a 7-0 vote.
The following items have been received and filed on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, by a 7-0 vote:
· Item 6A: Ronald L. Davis resigned from the Youth Board. Papers on file.
· Item 2D: Designation of Order of District Attorney Assistants. Copy of the list will be sent to all COD members.
· Item 4D: Ethics Waiver Request for former Director of Water Agency.
· Item 5D: Board of Election Annual Report 2000.
· Item 6D: Designation of Order of County Attorney Deputies. Copy of the list will be sent to all COD members.
· Item 7D: Three resumes for appointments to the County Board of Health. All approved.
· Item 8D: Legislator Maisano’s memo to the County Executive regarding parking for County employees. Item is for review and discussion with the Public Works Committee.
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The following items have taken specific action:
· Item 1D: Civil Service Test Notices: Human Resources Commissioner, Paula Zeman, is scheduled for discussion on Monday, April 23rd at 4 p.m.
· Item 3D: ParaTransit Telephone Lines: The Chair will discuss item with Legislator Carsky.
· Item 10D: Rent Guidelines Board Recommendation: Rev. Dr. David N. Heywood is scheduled for an interview on Monday, April 23rd at 4:15 p.m.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Oros, the minutes of March 26, 2001, were approved by a 7-0 vote.
Mrs. LaMotte will request additional information on the appointments of the Fire Advisory Board, especially who they are replacing and if they are representing the paid or volunteer units.
Mrs. LaMotte notified the Committee that Chairman George Latimer would handle the recommendation of Eliot Cherson to the Rent Guidelines Board.
Once all attendance records are received, reappointment to the following Boards will be made: Board of Ethics, Hispanic Advisory Board and Pre-Qualification Board.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Oros.