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STAMFORD, Conn. Mayor Michael Pavia wants to meet with the Board of Finance to discuss the board's decision to cut funding for his proposed fire service plan from Stamford's budget for the coming year. In a letter to the finance board, Pavia wrote:
I am compelled to ask if the decision was made strictly based on finances; i.e. the assumed cost of the plan or was public safety (or lack thereof) considered as well. The mayor's open letter to Timothy Abbazia, chairman of the finance board, went on to describe his responsibilities, which include public safety, and the boards, which are focused on policies and procedures aimed at ensuring the proper execution of fiduciary responsibilities by government officials.
The mayor also said in the letter that the finance board may not have been familiar enough with the plan to make an accurate decision, and would add funds for the plan into a contingency account.
The finance board voted unanimously to cut the $1,156,670 from the volunteer departments which would fund the mayors proposed plan for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. The minutes from the board's meeting said the it eliminated the funds because the plan has yet to be approved by the Board of Representatives.
Pavias plan would divide the city into two parts, with the volunteer departments combining to cover north Stamford and Stamford Fire & Rescue covering downtown. The plan is currently being discussed by the Board of Representatives Public Safety & Health Committee.
News of the cut delighted the city's professional firefighters union, which opposes the mayors plan and would rather see Stamford Fire & Rescue cover the whole city under one chief, with volunteer help, Brendan Keatley, president of the union, said. The union has a ride-along policy which allows any certified firefighter to ride on an engine and help in emergencies, he said.
The more people on an apparatus the better, Keatley said, comparing the volunteer firefighters to members of Stamfords Community Emergency Response Team.
The board cut a total of $2,545,964 from the budget during a special meeting April 17, the minutes said. The budget, which is now $480.7 million, next goes to the Board of Representatives, which can only reduce the spending plan before approving it.
The fiscal year runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
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