South Hadley fire units join forces: Separate departments seek $800,000 from town

Daily Hampshire Gazette - September 24, 2009

South Hadley fire units join forces: Separate departments seek $800,000 from town
by steve

SOUTH HADLEY - When the Select Board asked the two Fire Districts in town to work together, the latest joint initiative of the districts is not necessarily what they had in mind.
The Prudential Committees for Fire District 1 and Fire District 2, both independent governmental bodies, have agreed to approach the Selectboard, seeking the transfer of more than $800,000 in the town's ambulance fund to the two districts, said Edward Wall, Prudential Committee chairman for District 1.
If the Selectboard declines to transfer the funds, the districts are prepared to begin a petition drive to place the matter before Town Meeting this fall, Wall said.
Ambulance services run by municipalities typically break even at best, said Wall. The town ambulance fund, which has been used in the past to purchase police cars and supplement an account that aids police injured on duty, has such a robust balance because the Fire Districts were supplying the emergency medical technicians that staffed the town ambulance, he said.
The town halted its ambulance service in July. Ambulance service in South Hadley is now provided by the two districts.
"Essentially, we were donating the labor," Wall said. "The money was put in this enterprise fund to support ambulances. Our feeling is the savings should continue to be used for the ambulance service," he said.
Gregory Sheehan, Select Board chairman, said he is keeping an open mind about the proposal. The districts will have to show him how transferring the funds would benefit the town as a whole, Sheehan said.
"I think that ultimately they'll have to make their case to Town Meeting," Sheehan said.
But Sheehan is worried about the town's financial situation if the money becomes unavailable, he said. With state aid expected to be reduced again in the coming fiscal year and the town having lost more than $1 million in investments, transferring the money could lead to higher taxes or increased fees, he said.
"It could potentially lead to $800,000 less that we have to fall back on to plug holes in the budget," Sheehan said.
"We've been counting on that enterprise fund surplus. It would be a significant impact (on the town budget)," said Select Board member John Hine.
The balance of the fund is anticipated to revert to free cash July 1, and "will probably be needed to balance the FY11 budget," interim Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz stated in a recent memorandum.
Hine said that arrangements for running the town's ambulance were agreed on by both districts and the town when the surplus was generated. "I'm not sure there should be reconsideration of what was done in the past," he said, but added that he has not seen the specifics or rationale for the proposal.
Wall said that with the two districts combined, they represent the entire town. And with a split of the fund if it is transferred based on the population served by each district, "everybody in town gains or loses nothing," said Wall.
"I think we have a good argument," he said. "It's what the money was intended for."

South Hadley to vote on whether to merge town's 2 fire districts

South Hadley to vote on whether to merge town's 2 fire districts
by The Republican Newsroom
Tuesday March 03, 2009, 6:00 PM

By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Terrance B. Sugrue and his group Citizens to Unite South Hadley moved a step closer to getting a merger of the town's two fire districts Monday when the Select Board voted 4-1 to put a nonbinding question on the matter on the ballot for the April 6 town election.

The Select Board put the matter to a vote after about 20 minutes of discussion during a special session called to deal with Sugrue's petition to put a question the ballot. Select Board member Marilyn G. Ishler made the motion, which was seconded by Selectman Robert G. Judge. Selectman Gregory R. Sheehan cast the lone dissenting vote.

Sheehan said the matter of a merger should be settled in the districts. The districts consist of Fire District 1, which provides fire protection and water for the southern part of the community, and Fire District 2, which provides those services to the northern part of town.


"We have as much jurisdiction (over the districts) as we do over the town of Amherst," Sheehan said.

He also argued that putting the question on the ballot would open the door for anyone who can get the 10 signatures required to make a request to move forward and get a question on the ballot.

Ishler pointed out that this would not be the first time residents have been asked to vote on the matter in a town election.

"This is the opportunity for the residents of South Hadley to express an opinion," Ishler said.

"This is an important matter to the town," said Selectman John R. Hine, who is a member of Sugrue's group.

Sheehan went on to question whether Hine can vote on the issue because he is a member of Citizens to Unite South Hadley.

Select Board Chairwoman Carlene C. Hamlin said Sheehan should address his query to the district attorney's office.

"So we are going to take a vote without knowing that?" Sheehan said.

Town Clerk-Treasurer Judith E. Barthelette commented that putting the question on the ballot will be an expense, although she said she would not name any figures.

Mark A. Beauregard, the attorney for Fire District 1, urged the town to leave district business within the districts.

"Even if these ballots are nonbinding, they are divisive and confusing," Beauregard said. Following the meeting, Beauregard said Fire District 1 officials oppose a merger because it would raise taxes in Fire District 1 to "subsidize" lowering them in Fire District 2.

Raymond M. Hopfe, chairman of the Fire District 1 Prudential Committee, did not speak at the meeting and declined to comment afterward.

Sugrue has gotten Fire District 2 to put a nonbinding question on a merger on the ballot for its election on March 10 and is still working with Fire District 1 officials to get a question on the ballot for its election April 27.

Sugure and his group have argued a merger would be more efficient and save money by not duplicating services.

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Ambulance Duties to be shared in South Hadley"

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "New Path for South Hadley ambulance"

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "South Hadley fire districts by the numbers"

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Merger Question Keeps Coming Up"

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Districts draw water from different sources"

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Seeing double - South Hadley takes fresh look at merging its fire departments"

The ambulance issue

On July 8, the Selectboard will consider a revised Memorandum of Agreement between the Town and the Fire Districts, and a reorganization of the Ambulance Committee. Please give me your opinion or comments.