Fire companies out in full force against cuts

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 3:56 PM EST
By Michael Hays, mhays@pottsmerc.com

POTTSTOWN — Flanked by dozens of emergency responders, a handful of residents implored Borough Council to rethink a sizable budget cut to the four local fire companies."What can we do as a community to help the fire houses without them taking a 25 percent cut?" asked Johnny Corson. "These gentlemen and these ladies deserve a chance not to be shut down."Corson, the vice president of the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP, was one of four people to address this issue during the public comment portion of Monday's council meeting. Borough officials are examining the 2009 budget, which has not yet been approved. Pottstown could face a revenue shortfall of at least $300,000, which has necessitated a search for areas to trim.The borough's four volunteer fire companies — Good Will Steam, Phillies, Empire Hook & Ladder and North End — are each allotted $185,000 annually, according to Mike Campeggio.

Campeggio, the Good Will chief, spoke on behalf of all local companies Monday night."If enacted, this budgetary reduction will adversely affect the emergency response capabilities of the department and will most definitely place borough residents at risk," he said.For the past several years, each company has requested $235,000 apiece, according to Campeggio. He said that amount is based on actual expenses incurred for salaries, fuel, utilities and vehicle maintenance."In actuality, the companies are starting each calendar year with only 78 percent of its actual projected operating budget," he said.One resident questioned where Pottstown spends its taxpayer dollars. The 2008 budget was $45 million.Phillip Thees brought up the fact that borough officials "found" $2 million in a forgotten account several months back.Referencing January's devastating fire on the 200 block of High Street, Thees said the four companies must be protected."We in this town need to protect and preserve our entire fire department — all four fire houses," he said.Council members should look to economize in other departments, too, Thees added.Resident Bruce Madara said Pottstown manages to "cut things" and still raise taxes. His remarks came while he criticized some borough officials for their attitudes toward citizens who ask questions.After the public was heard, Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas read from her report. Engaging in public safety is no simple task, she began. "We can't ever underestimate or take for granted the service you provide," Valentine-Thomas said.Although Pottstown has a fire department, it relies on both volunteers and paid firefighters. According to Campeggio, the borough fire department has 12 career firefighters and a chief (Richard Lengel). Approximately 25 trained volunteers supplement this staff.All four stations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Campeggio said.As for financial accountability, the Good Will representative said all four companies are required to submit an itemized annual budget to Lengel.A bill passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly addresses this area. Act 8 of 2008 requires local borough officials to annually evaluate their need for emergency services and determine the appropriate level of funding. Part of the law states that the itemized accounting must be presented before any additional funding can be considered by a municipality.The revenue shortfall going into 2009 came about through two fairly recent discoveries. In July, former borough Finance Director Robert Armelin predicted the borough would end the year with a shortfall of $200,000. Last month, a financial consultant hired by the borough to help prepare its budget in the wake of Amelin's resignation announced that Pottstown owes an additional $125,000 toward the workers compensation fund.Should public monies shrink beginning in January, local fire companies will have to rely more heavily on fundraisers. Campeggio listed Christmas trees, bingo, phone solicitations, food sales and fairs as a few common sources that are already tapped."Even standing in the street with fire boots will not generate enough donations to make up for a 25 percent budget cut," he said.