By Kellen Olshefski
Staff Writer
Concerns about some wording involving costs in the contract between the Tichigan Volunteer Fire Co. and the Village of Waterford’s fire department were raised Tuesday night at the Town of Waterford annual meeting.
With a handful of people in attendance, Chairman Robert Langmesser brought up concerns about cost issues regarding Tichigan’s department being called to aid the village due to lack of personnel able to respond.
Waterford resident and Tichigan fire volunteer David Wagner noted that although the village has not contacted Tichigan’s department recently, the town is billed for all fire-related calls the department responds to due to a mutual aid agreement.
“I think that’s a part of the contract we need to look at when we do it,” he said.
“You’re getting billed for any type of fires, fire alarms, or anything where all three departments go … that’s why we have mutual aid agreements. You’re getting billed for that as well if it’s in their contracted area.”
According to Wagner, the town could have saved about $2,500 out of the last bill if the wording in the contract was eliminated.
In regards to a fire call concerning someone’s hand being stuck in a soda machine, Wagner noted that a bill can result just by the village department simply stating it might need Tichigan’s department on a call.
“Originally the fire company was toned out for that, but one of their members said we might need them so based on that ‘might need’ you go for $700-$800,” he said.
Langmesser noted that these kinds of problems between the fire departments have arisen in past years as well. “It’s been a problem ever since I’ve been town chairman and the Village, I think, is trying to take advantage of this,” he said.
“We used to do a contract with them, a flat fee, $20,000, whatever it was, and now, by going to this new contract, this $750 thing, it kind of opens the door for them to bill us every time they send a truck out.”
As a bit of silver lining to the situation, Town Attorney Michael Dubis noted the town saved money in its first year under the new contract; however, the first quarter of this year it’s changed some.
Furthermore, Langmesser noted that all the changes made in regards to fire and rescue were done in the best interest of the public.
“I’ll tell you what, we don’t get a lot of complaints or you’d see this room full,” he said. “At one time it was. Over the years, every year, it’s less and less and less.”
In addition, Tuesday night’s meeting marked Langmesser’s last meeting as Town Chairman.
Langmesser is retiring and officially relinquished the gavel and title to Town Supervisor Tom Hincz at the annual meeting.
The issue of who will be appointed to fill Hincz’s now vacant supervisor seat on the Town Board is yet to be determined.
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