By Paul Paterra
The Tribune-Review
JEANNETTE, Pa. — Jeannette council’s first work session this year brought a heated discussion over the purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire company before the fire chief left the meeting with chest pains.
New Mayor Robert Carter on Monday asked for a motion on tonight’s agenda to buy a 95-foot ladder truck from Sutphen Corp. of Columbus, Ohio, for $774,734.34.
The move angered fire Chief Mike Bertolino, who said the matter should not have been discussed in public. Bertolino favors a truck from Pierce Manufacturing, based in Wisconsin, which costs $776,268.
The chief said the truck from Sutphen doesn’t offer as standard equipment such as rollover protection or air bags, and said Pierce planned to offer a $35,000 trade-in.
“The two trucks are pretty comparable, but the one the mayor wants doesn’t meet what’s best for the city and the department,” Bertolino said Tuesday from a hospital bed at Excela Westmoreland Hospital at Jeannette.
A federal grant of $750,000 (of which the city’s share will be $37,500) will offset the cost of the truck, with help from a $30,000 donation from the Elliott Co.
“I’m trying to make it so the city doesn’t have to pay anything,” Bertolino said. “I have until August to make this purchase. ... I’m the chief of the fire department. Council appointed me to that position to make these decisions. I don’t run a dictatorship down there, but it is final, overall, my say what equipment we purchase.”
During Monday’s meeting, Carter stood by his assertion the truck from Sutphen would be a better buy. He said it would not require alterations to the fire station and and could better maneuver city streets.
“My feelings and his feelings are two different feelings,” said Carter, who also is a volunteer firefighter. “The truck that I am looking at right now is, in my mind and also in facts and figures, the most feasible truck for the taxpayers in the city of Jeannette.”
The conversation grew increasingly heated, especially when Carter wanted opinions from fire captains Randy Dubich and Joe Matijevic.
“I know what they’re going to say,” Bertolino said. “They’ve got their heads so far up your (expletive), it’s ridiculous.”
That prompted a brief verbal confrontation between Dubich and Bertolino. Dubich took issue with the comment from Bertolino, while the chief said Dubich never stands up for anything.
“Why don’t you just put it on the agenda, because that’s what you want,” Bertolino said to Carter. “Next month, you can promote Joe or Randy to the chief’s position and be done with it. That’s all I’ve got to say, it’s ridiculous. ... It’s my job to make these decisions.”
The chief left the meeting, then briefly returned to ask to be excused because of illness. Bertolino spent Monday night and most of yesterday at the hospital.
Copyright 2010 Tribune Review Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved