Centerville Mayor opposes cutting of fire department funds
CENTERVILLE – Mayor Frank Stanko spoke out against council’s decision to cut the borough’s $5,000 donations to its fire departments. “I disagree with your decision to discontinue assistance to the fire companies,” Stanko said at the borough’s regular meeting Tuesday.
Stanko said council “found money” to give bonuses and raises to employees and should continue to fund the local fire departments.
In late December, council approved its 2003 budget and in a last minute change to the budget, decided to cut its annual donation of $5,000 to Richeyville and Denbo-Vesta 6 fire departments.
“You’re not going to call the road department or the police if your house is burning down. You have the money for all these other items. It’s a shame. The people working for the fire department are working for free,” Stanko said.
Stanko’s comments angered Councilman Patsy Ricciuti, who told him to put an end to his “Bible-thumping” story.
“You didn’t show up for the budget meeting. We just gave each department $6,700 in November, from the state relief fund,” Ricciuti said. “What do you want?”
“I want for us to give what we always give,” Stanko said.
But Ricciuti said the “giving is over.”
He said council has decided to do more on the roads this year. Money budgeted to improve borough roads was boosted by $156,647 this year to $520,547.
Ricciuti has said council does not feel the donation cut will hurt the departments financially, but if it does, he said council would help the departments.
According to Ricciuti, the borough pays for the fire departments’ workers’ compensation and the departments have their bingo, cash bash and they charge fees for service.
“There is no poverty level here,” Ricciuti said.
Councilman Fred Roberts also spoke out against the donation cut. Roberts said he did not attend the meeting to approve the budget in December because he had to work. Stanko said he did not attend because he was sick.
“If the state cut our liquid fuel money, we’d be mad. We cut their funds and they’re mad,” Roberts said.
David Pohill, chairman of the Richeyville Volunteer Fire Department, attended the meeting, but did not comment.
President Edward Sukal said that the budget committee made the budget and advertised the meeting.
“All council had a right to vote on that budget,” Sukal said.
Stanko said he believes the decision may have been based on a personal vendetta.
But Ricciuti said he has nothing against the fire departments.
Ricciuti noted that there are 11 fire departments within a 10-mile radius of the borough. He said the borough has just purchased a building that they are renovating. He also noted that the borough has already spent $19,290 for snow removal to date. He said last year the borough spent $19,747 total.
“We’re only half way through (the winter). We’re looking at another three months. We’re looking at $50,000 to $60,000 for snow removal. The cost has gone up tremendously,” he said.
But Ricciuti said that the budget will most likely be open in six months and council can reconsider their decision.
“When the budget is open, I’d like to give something to the fire departments,” Roberts said.