Photo courtesy of Fredonia Fire Department Fredonia Fire Department recently visited the Elementary School to discuss fire safety.

Trustee Michelle Twichell’s fiscally conscious “no” vote this week prevented the village of Fredonia from filling a paramedic/firefighter position.

The Board of Trustees voted 2-1 to advertise for the position, with Twichell against, Ben Brauchler and Jon Espersen voting “aye,” and Nicole Siracuse and Paul Wandel not present. However, since three members of the entire five-person board must vote “aye” to pass such a measure, it failed.

Twichell was unhappy that the resolution mentioned a $15,000 sign-on bonus, paid over three years, to whomever got hired.

“This board has an opportunity to relieve its budgetary deficit by not hiring a replacement paramedic/firefighter. New York state law does not mandate two paramedics per emergency response,” she said.

Twichell referenced a recent OBSERVER commentary that noted 44% of the village’s fiscal deficit is due to overestimated emergency services income.

She then criticized a post on the village’s Facebook page that advertised the open position, calling it “irresponsible” because trustees had not yet approved filling it.

Twichell concluded, “The proposed signing bonus sets a dangerous precedent for future hires at a time when we have no money.”

Mayor Michael Ferguson then stated that the village fire department is contractually mandated to send two paramedics per call.

Twichell replied, “I understand that we are in a budget crisis right now, and we’re just not going to be able to fill the positions we need because of that. I want to do the responsible thing and not spend money.

Espersen agreed that the social media post on the job opening was “inappropriate,” but voted to fill the position. And though he also voted for the measure, Brauchler said Twichell had made some good points.