People thought the fire contract between Arkwright and Forestville was settled after Arkwright had a public hearing on March 7. Not so.
The Arkwright Town Board held another public hearing on Tuesday to consider the fire contract between it and Forestville.
The original public hearing notice (for the hearing held on March 7) published in the OBSERVER indicated that the contract was a one-year contract for 2011 at a cost of $23,758. The second published public notice (for the hearing held April 26) indicated that a two-year contract at a cost of $23,758 for 2011 and $24,471 for 2012 would be discussed.
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OBSERVER Photo by Diane R. Chodan
Recently, the Arkwright Town Board held another public hearing on the fire contract with Forestville.
At the end of Arkwright's public hearing, which two people attended, the town board approved the changed contract. The resolution passed by the board contained seven 'whereas.'
One read, "Whereas, there have been extensive negotiations between the parties finally with the leadership of the deputy supervisor (Roger Cardot) resulting in a fire contract for two years which this Town board has reviewed."
Another read "Whereas, the Mayor of the Village of Forestville as well as the president of the Forestville Fire Department have executed copies of the agreement presently before the board."
The document concluded, Therefore be it resolved, that this board approves the proposed agreement and authorizes the town supervisor to execute same on behalf of this board and instructs the town clerk to issue check for the 2011 fire tax payment to the Village of Forestville.
Before the meeting adjourned, Cardot reminded Town Supervisor Frederic Norton to sign the document. He did so.
Norton explained after the first hearing Forestville did not accept the amount of money set forth in the one-year contract. This necessitated a re-opening of negotiations. On the other side, members of the Forestville Board and fire department felt that Norton had "stalled."
While there is disagreement over exactly what happened, it is certain that there are two copies of a contract and both parties have signed.
