Efforts to save Pa. fire department stopped in court

September 29, 2009 04:57 AM

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review

WESTMORELAND, Pa. — Westmoreland County Judge William J. Ober this morning denied an emergency petition by Braeview firefighters to block Lower Burrell City Council’s resolution to close their volunteer fire department.

Firefighters and an Edgeview Road resident filed paperwork Friday afternoon seeking a court injunction to keep open the station in the northern part of the city.

Council voted 4-1 on Sept. 14 to sever the city’s ties with Braeview, leaving two fire departments and one substation open.

The firefighters’ attorney, Ryan Mergl, argued at a hearing this morning that council’s vote breached the city’s duty to provide adequate fire services for the residents.

But Ober said he doesn’t have jurisdiction in the case.

“What you’re asking me to do is substitute the court’s discretion for that of the city of Lower Burrell, and I’m not authorized to do that,” the judge said.

Lower Burrell officials say their revenue estimates for this year are off by about $70,000. The department’s closing will save the city between $60,000 and $75,000 annually.

“After four months of meetings, we determined that public safety would not be compromised,” Councilman David Regoli said. “That was our first concern over money.”