By Barbara O’Brien
The Buffalo News
BOSTON, N.Y. — The Boston Town Board on Monday night terminated contracts with its three volunteer fire companies so it could negotiate new ones.
The fire protection contracts run through Dec. 31, and town officials said it was necessary to give the North Boston, Patchin and Boston fire companies notice by Aug. 30, or the contracts would be automatically renewed.
Volunteer firefighters objected to the action, contending that fire protection will be in jeopardy.
“No one is losing fire protection in the Town of Boston,” said Councilman Jay P. Boardway, adding that the town hopes to reach an agreement with all three companies before Dec. 31.
Councilman James E. Pluta, a longtime member of the Patchin Volunteer Fire Company and its former chief, voted against the measure. “If we don’t have a contract with the fire companies by Dec. 31, there’s no fire protection,” he said. “They’re taking away the one piece of protection you have.”
Other board members insisted they value the volunteers and want to support each company in the proper manner. They have asked to see budgets and financial statements from all the companies.
“We are trying to be fiscally responsible with your money,” said Councilwoman Cathy A. Maghran. “The public has a right to know where their money is going.”
She and other board members denied rumors that the board is trying to consolidate or eliminate fire companies.
The three fire companies traditionally have received the same amount from the town, even though they may have different costs and debt loads.
Boardway told The Buffalo News each company received $152,000 this year. He said the town also paid $48,000 for workers’ compensation and has been told that $307,000 is needed to bring the service award program up to the proper limit.
Town officials distributed an explanation of the proposal, including a clause from the current contracts that says the contract shall be renewed from “year to year” unless either party terminates by giving written notice before Aug. 30.
Town officials said that means they must terminate the contracts in order to negotiate a new one.
Firefighters disagree.
Russ Metcalf, president of Boston Fire Company, said that in the past any time a new contract was negotiated it superseded the old contract. He said the board’s actions indicate it does not like the current provisions and does not want to carry the contract forward while negotiations continue.
“These fire companies have been in this town more than 100 years, and not once has a Town Board ever canceled a contract,” Pluta said.
Copyright 2010 The Buffalo News
All Rights Reserved