CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL:
The Haworth Volunteer Firefighters Association held a Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, April 6, 1999 at the Haworth Fire Department.  Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Boyd.  Members present were: Storey, Boyd, Batson, Middleton, Hall, Farley, Smith, Carrell, Bennett, Donaldson and Owens.

MINUTES:
Minutes of the previous meeting were read.  Smith moved to accept.  Farley seconded.  All members in favor.  Minutes approved.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
President’s Report: No report at this time.

FINANCIAL REPORT:
Storey reported the Association had a beginning balance of $1,912.37; income of $780.12 from $1 water donations; expenses of $331.60 (First State Bank for Hahn loan), $14.40 (Choctaw Electric for Redland Substation electric bill), $21.74 (Country Store for fuel), $131.56 (Young Oil for motor oil), $37.37 (McCurtain Auto for parts), $17.39 (Crow Burlingame for parts); and an ending balance of $2,138.43.  Middleton moved to accept.  Hall seconded.  All members in favor.  Report approved.

REVISION OF CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS:
Boyd presented the Association’s revised Constitution and By-Laws.  Proposed changes discussed at previous monthly meeting had been made (elimination of dues, prohibition of Chief and Assistant Chief from serving as officers in Association, and elimination of Associate Memberships).  Smith moved to adopt revised version.  Middleton seconded.  All members in favor.  Revised Constitution and By-Laws adopted.

RURAL WATER $1/MONTH DONATIONS:
Middleton reported on the Rural Water $1 per month donations.  He explained that the donations were divided by using a formula established several years ago.  The formula was derived by counting the number of rural water meters within each department’s 5-mile radius.  The total number of meter within circles was used as the 100% amount.  The percentages were based on the total number of meters within each department’s circle, as compared to the total number of meters within all circles combined.  This formula resulted in splits of: Haworth 66%, Tom 23%, Shinewell 5.5%, & Cerrogordo 5.5%.  (See Attachment)  Before the Shinewell Volunteer Fire Department was organized, the entire 11% went to the  Cerrogordo Fire Department, but after being organized Shinewell was given 5.5%.  Since establishing the existing percentages, a large number of Rural Water meters have been added in the Shinewell area.  However, the formula has never been adjusted to reflect the significant change in the meter count.  Upon request, Rural Water provided a current meter count within each department’s 5-mile radius.  The number of meters in each circle were: Haworth (including Redland Substation circle) 499, Tom 153, and Shinewell 161.  The number of meter outside 5-mile radiuses is 507, for a total meter count of 1,320.  Using these numbers in the same formula used previously to calculate percentages, results in revised percentages of: Haworth 61.38%, Tom 18.82%, and Shinewell 19.80%.

Middleton reported that he had approached the Shinewell V.F.D. Board of Directors about revising the percentages.  He had proposed a split of: Haworth 60%, Tom 20%, and Shinewell 20%.  Shinewell voted in favor of the revision and to exclude Cerrogordo from any future receipt of Rural Water $1 per month donations.

Middleton also reported that he had approached the Tom Civic Board about making the proposed revisions, but that they had declined to accept any reduction in their percentage.  The Board did vote in favor of excluding Cerrogordo from receiving any future Rural Water $1 per month donations.  The Board did state that they would be willing to review the possibility of reducing their percentage in one year.

Storey reported that he had been informed by Rural Water employees that Cerrogordo had not cashed a number of past checks.  He also reported that there are only ten (10) Rural Water meters in Arkansas.  Members present felt it was inappropriate to send donations from citizen residing in Oklahoma to a fire department in Arkansas, particularly one that did not provide fire protection to the donors.  Middleton moved to exclude Cerrogordo from any future distribution of donations.  Carrell seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.

Middleton moved to revise the percentages the Haworth Volunteer Firefighters Association was receiving to 60%.  Batson seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried, revision approved.  Middleton will present the Rural Water Board with the requested changes at their next monthly meeting.

REDLAND SUBSTATION:
Storey reported that he had spoken with ISO officials and had been informed that a lease on the land was not necessary for obtaining a Class 9 rating.  He also reported that Mayor Brown had sent a written request to ISO to have the Redland Substation rated.  Middleton reported that the Redland Substation had been partially insulated with used foam insulation donated by Smith, but additional insulation would need to be purchased to complete the project.  Storey reported that Hilltop Lumber had the lowest price on the foam insulation ($4.99 per 4'x8' sheet).  Boyd suggested placing wafer board 4 feet up the wall all the way around the station to protect the insulation.  Boyd moved that the insulation, wafer board, and nails be purchased to complete the project.  Smith seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.  Middleton reported that he would be taking Engine-1 to Broken Bow to have the pump tested for the upcoming rating survey.  A “Work Day” will be scheduled to complete the insulation project.

STICKERS:
Storey reported that O.S.I. could provide Child Locator Stickers on reflective (Mylar) backing that apply on the inside of the windows.  The cost is 14¢ per square inch.  Boyd moved that a project budget for purchasing 300 2"x2" Mylar Stickers be prepared and submitted to Georgia Pacific for possible sponsorship.  Smith seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:
None

NEW BUSINESS:
Smith reported that Danny Roberts at Rural Water had approached him about who would be held financially responsible for repairs to fire hydrants on the rural water system.  Members discussed possible options.  Members expressed concerns about paying for repairs on meters installed by private citizens.  No decision was reached.  Boyd moved to table the matter pending additional information.  Middleton seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried, item tabled.

ADJOURN:
Boyd moved to Adjourn.  Middleton seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Signed,

    Jeff Boyd, President

    Chris Hall, Vice-President

    Kirk L. Storey, Secretary/Treasurer