The four fire companies that provide fire protection to the Town of Lancaster continue to respond to emergency calls even though their contracts with the town expired at the end of 2011.
However, the town has assured the companies in writing that provisions of the contract remain in effect. And the Town Board at its Jan. 17 meeting is expected to approve new fire-services contracts that were negotiated with the four companies.
The companies -- Bowmansville, Millgrove, Town Line and Twin District-- previously agreed not to seek an increase in their funding from the town for 2012 and 2013.
Formal approval of the two-year contract was delayed as some language in the document was "cleaned up" at the request of Jeffrey Swiatek, the town's outside counsel, according to Ronald Rozler, president of the Twin District volunteer company.
"I wouldn't say it's been a hold-up. I'm not sure what took it so long to get it finalized," said Rozler, who has acted as a point person for the companies in the talks.
He told The Buffalo News that the companies never considered refusing to respond to emergency calls if their contracts expired without new pacts in place.
But Rozler did raise concerns at the Town Board's Dec. 19 work session that firefighters may not be covered under workers' compensation insurance if they are injured on duty after Jan. 1.
However, David J. Brown, the town's director of administration and finance, said in an interview that the firefighters' coverage will continue until a new contract is in place.
The four companies receive payments from the town based primarily on the assessed value of the property in each fire district.
In 2011, Bowmansville received $1.1 million, Twin District received $1 million, Town Line received $727,000, and Millgrove received $103,000, according to the town.
The two-year contract, once it is approved, will be retroactive to Jan. 1, Rozler said.
Copyright 2012 - The Buffalo News, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
