Town of Macedon Considers Cutting Ties with Village Fire Department
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: March 11, 2013
Macedon, NY--The Macedon Village Fire Department is literally all Macedon town residents have ever known.
"It's something they've dedicated a lot of time and effort to," said village fire chief, Tim Wilcox. "This department has multiple generations. They've been here 50 to 60 years."
"I have the utmost respect for all of the volunteers," said Macedon Town Supervisor William Hammond. "They are great people. They are there when you need them," he added.
Yet despite that opinion, Hammond wants to stop working with the village fire department and instead enter into a five year deal with the Macedon Center Fire Department. "It comes down to trust and faith and I'm afraid the town has lost that with this village," Hammond expressed.
"I'm not sure why the town is thinking this," responded Macedon village mayor, Marie Cramer.
Hammond said it stems from ongoing problems with the village board.
Chief Wilcox only wishes his department wasn't caught in the crossfire.
"It definitely would have been something I wish I could have sat down with either the town supervisor or the village mayor and everybody together to see what we could do to be able to work it out."
According to Cramer, the change would hit the village, hard.
The town's $95,000 a year contract attributes for about 70 percent of the village's fire budget.
Cramer says loosing that means taxes would be impacted.
The village also worries about increased response times since Macedon Center is located further away.
However, Hammond says this physical location of the department won't effect public safety or response time. That's because he says they plan on building a department within the town fire district before the proposed contract would come into play.
Ali: So, there's no safety issue here, in your opinion?
Hammond: No, none. I have all the confidence that Macedon Center can get the project done and so do they.
According to Wilcox. the village can fight second story fires using their aerial ladder.
Macedon Center doesn't have one. Wilcox said the department differences go further than that.
"Our department is the only one that provides five mile coverage along the Erie Canal with the dive water rescue team.That's something that the other services can't provide or don't provide."
Cramer is urging everyone to voice their opinion at Thursday night's public hearing.
"This is going to effect you. So, you need to take the time, clear out your schedule and come up there."
The hearing begins at 7:35 P.M.
It's being held at the Macedon Town Hall, 32 West Main Street, Macedon.
The town board will vote that evening, following the public comment portion of the proceedings.
"It's something they've dedicated a lot of time and effort to," said village fire chief, Tim Wilcox. "This department has multiple generations. They've been here 50 to 60 years."
"I have the utmost respect for all of the volunteers," said Macedon Town Supervisor William Hammond. "They are great people. They are there when you need them," he added.
Yet despite that opinion, Hammond wants to stop working with the village fire department and instead enter into a five year deal with the Macedon Center Fire Department. "It comes down to trust and faith and I'm afraid the town has lost that with this village," Hammond expressed.
"I'm not sure why the town is thinking this," responded Macedon village mayor, Marie Cramer.
Hammond said it stems from ongoing problems with the village board.
Chief Wilcox only wishes his department wasn't caught in the crossfire.
"It definitely would have been something I wish I could have sat down with either the town supervisor or the village mayor and everybody together to see what we could do to be able to work it out."
According to Cramer, the change would hit the village, hard.
The town's $95,000 a year contract attributes for about 70 percent of the village's fire budget.
Cramer says loosing that means taxes would be impacted.
The village also worries about increased response times since Macedon Center is located further away.
However, Hammond says this physical location of the department won't effect public safety or response time. That's because he says they plan on building a department within the town fire district before the proposed contract would come into play.
Ali: So, there's no safety issue here, in your opinion?
Hammond: No, none. I have all the confidence that Macedon Center can get the project done and so do they.
According to Wilcox. the village can fight second story fires using their aerial ladder.
Macedon Center doesn't have one. Wilcox said the department differences go further than that.
"Our department is the only one that provides five mile coverage along the Erie Canal with the dive water rescue team.That's something that the other services can't provide or don't provide."
Cramer is urging everyone to voice their opinion at Thursday night's public hearing.
"This is going to effect you. So, you need to take the time, clear out your schedule and come up there."
The hearing begins at 7:35 P.M.
It's being held at the Macedon Town Hall, 32 West Main Street, Macedon.
The town board will vote that evening, following the public comment portion of the proceedings.
