CALL TO ORDER
The Haworth Volunteer Fire Department held a rescheduled monthly business meeting (for the month of June) on Tuesday, May 28, 2000 at the Haworth Fire Station.  Meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chief Middleton.  Members present were: Storey, Cowart, Hattabaugh, Donaldson, Middleton, White, Marsh, Ferguson, Bennett, Owens, Batson, Farley, and Boyd.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of the previous meeting were read.  Owens moved to accept.  Hattabaugh seconded.  All members in favor.  Minutes approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT
        Beginning Balance:   $       5.72
        Expenses:                $            0
        Income:                   $            0
        Ending Balance:       $       5.72
Batson moved to accept.  White seconded.  All members in favor.  Report approved.

PENSION & RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Members discussed ceasing participation in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Pension & Retirement System.  Storey presented a letter from the Pension System that addressed the issue.  According to officials at the Pension System, there are currently no provisions for fire departments to withdraw from the system.  However, in a telephone conversation with Herb Bradshaw, Storey reported that he had stated that one option was for the Town to withhold payment of the yearly pension contributions.  He also stated that if, in the future, the Department wished to resume participation, the Town would be required to pay the yearly pension contributions for the years that had not been paid.

Middleton stated that by withdrawing from the Pension System, the Department would save approximately $1,000 per year.  In addition, the 20 member limit would no longer be in effect, and additional members could be added.

Middleton also reported that he had visited with Jack Brown about the matter.  Brown informed him that he had contacted a several sources attempting to locate information on the legalities of withdrawing from the Pension System.  Brown agreed to support the Department’s decision, whether it is to stay in the Pension System or withdraw, as long as it did not have an adverse impact on the Town.

Boyd moved to withdraw from the Pension System.  Donaldson seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.

Middleton presented a letter that had been prepared to present to the Town of Haworth requesting that the Department be withdrawn from the Pension System (copy attached).  Members present read and signed the letter.

OK STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
Storey presented a letter from the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, stating that the yearly dues to the Association had increased to $40 per member (an increase of $3 per member).  Batson moved to not renew membership in the State Firefighters Association when the current memberships expire.  Owens seconded.  All members in favor.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
None

ADJOURN
Hattabaugh moved to adjourn.  Cowart seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 2:19 p.m.

Signed,

    Floyd Middleton, Chief

    Kyle Batson, Assistant Chief

    Kirk Storey, Secretary/Treasurer