Feb 15, 2007 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – An approved council action that would have city fire department employees monitor the police station has yet to reach those who are being instructed to carry out the directive. “We haven’t heard anything about it,” said Lt. Bill Mickey, who also serves as president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1917, on Wednesday when advised of council’s Tuesday action. “Obviously, we aren’t there.” At the meeting, Councilman David McIntire, who oversees the city public health and safety department, said that the resolution resulted from an earlier meeting when officials met with the city police chief, fire chief, recreation and street department foremen, health and code officer and others to discuss available options to cut city expenses.

“It was a very positive meeting and this is one of the options we discussed,” said McIntire on Wednesday.

However, as to when the new system will be put in place, McIntire said that a meeting will have to be scheduled with the fire and police departments to determine a timetable for the joint effort.

In 1999 the city implemented a plan that called for three city firefighters to field the telephone calls received at the police station during the weekly daylight hours as an overall cost-saving measure. However, a few years later, the firefighters were no longer required to serve as building monitors after reaching a contractual agreement that did not call for the extra duty.

McIntire, meanwhile, admitted that the costs saved with the fire department answering telephones and monitoring the police station during the week would be minimal, but the cooperative initiative might lead to other changes that could save money for the city.

“I think that this is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Mickey, too, said that the firefighters are willing to help the city in its quest to curtail expenses.

“We all need to pitch in,” he said.

In other matters, council also conducted the following business:

– Agreed to make application to the state Department of Transportation for additional way finding signs that will be installed on West Crawford Avenue and Third Street to direct traffic to the bike trail.

– Increased the fee for utility companies and residents opening city roadways to $500 with $200 to be refunded after the area has been repaired and inspected.

– Entered into a contractual agreement with the state Department of General Services for the purchase of 500 tons of road salt.