It is not often that Trustees Michelle Twichell and Jon Espersen are on the same page. They were last month in a 3-2 vote that approved the hiring of a new firefighter.

“I really don’t see where we have the money right now to hire anyone else,” Twichell said before the vote.

Espersen also admitted his reluctance. “Unless and until we have a completed contract with the firefighters union, I don’t feel it appropriate at this time to hire any new firefighters,” he said. “I understand the implications of paying overtime, but I also understand that there has to come a point where we stop hiring and get a better handle on our finances.”

But government, awash in money troubles, trudges on — as though there are no other alternatives.

Realistically, there are. First is a hiring freeze, which is not popular but necessary after a 56% tax increase. Second, is mutual aid. We already rely on this regularly.

Third, and finally, the village of Fredonia — as we have stated before — could rely on the flycar system through Chautauqua County. Residents in the village are already paying for this in their county tax bill. Why duplicate a service?

This current path of mounting expenses in the north county has been destructive. Solutions are needed. The current formula is obviously broken.