More Incorrect Statements From The MoneyPit

One argument that the Fire Dept was trying to make

at the FOI hearing was that they were not a town dept, AT ALL. 

Well, if that's true, then:

Bull. Mr. DeAngelis better play back his tapes. The point being made at the hearing, was that there are two organizations.  The Town side - Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department and the “Club” side, The Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department INC.  Mr. Buckley was trying to blur the lines and the MVFD lawyer was not allowing him to do that.    

Never did anyone say that the Town side of the organization does not exist.  I think that is pretty obvious since the public side of the organization is listed in the Town budget, and the Fire Department summits this budget each year.

a. why the hell do we give them $ 300,000.00 per year?

That figure is incorrect.  The number is closer to $214,000.00.  I think that is a bargain for what the MVFD delivers to this community. The MVFD also cut its budget by almost 10% over the last two years.

b. if they are nothing more than "vendors" as their arguments 

seem to indicate, then where are the "bids" for this "vendor" 

service and why not see if we can get a cheaper vendor?

That was never the argument.  However, see if you can outsource a fire department for less than $214,000.  Good luck with that.

c. the reason we give them "fire" pay is not for "expenses" . this 

pay was initiated so that they could become eligible for 

workman's comp. if they are a "vendor" why would we pay this 

amount in order to make them eligible for workman's comp...and 

so on, and so on...

Wrong again, and right out of the mouth of Mr. St. John.  The statement is not correct. Apprentice members do not receive Fire Pay.  That is reserved for Active and Veteran members and serves as an incentive to become an Active member.  

If Mr. DeAngelis was correct, then Apprentice members would not be covered by Workman’s Comp, which of course they are.  You do not have to receive any pay as a firefighter to receive Workman’s Comp.

   If I were those guys, I would drop this argument...no, I never 

would have put it up there to begin with...careful what you call 

yourself...careful, careful..check out what your leadership is doing.

All of Mr. DeAngelis’s characterizations are incorrect, and since they are incorrect, then his entire argument is irrelevant. Thanks for the legal advice.