COPENHAGEN, New York (WWNY) – The Copenhagen Fire Department is set to dissolve in 30 days. Lewis County Manager Ryan Piche says arrangements have been made with surrounding fire protection agencies to ensure there will be zero lapses in coverage.
Meanwhile, towns that rely on the Copenhagen Fire Department for protection are shopping around to see what options they have while the village of Copenhagen tries to right the ship.
A 4 to 1 vote at the Copenhagen Village Board meeting Wednesday night to disband the fire department, with Village Attorney Candace Randall laying out the reasons why trustees should move in that direction.
In her presentation to the board, Randall pointed out that the village and its board members could be held liable for the actions of the department or its volunteer firefighters had it continued to work with them.
The decision takes effect in 30 days in case residents force the issue to become a public vote. To make that happen, petitions would need signatures from 20 percent of village voters who voted in the last general election.
Wednesday’s decision comes after a state audit cited money mismanagement and safety concerns.
The village had given the fire department two options:
- turn over its assets and financial books to the village, and continue to operate under the guidance of the village
- dissolve
Deadlines for those decisions passed, bringing about Wednesday’s vote.
Fire Chief T.J. Williams says the department needed more time. He says he’d gladly hand over the general accounts, but the department doesn’t want to lose control of its building and trucks.
Citing a personal vendetta from village trustees against a member of the fire department, he says there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
“The taxpayers are going to hurt in the long run, unfortunately, not having a fire department in the village,” he said.
Town of Champion Supervisor Brian Peck says the town will honor its contract with the Copenhagen Fire Department and wait the 30 days. But once the time has passed, he will see what other towns are doing. He did say he has had discussions with West Carthage and Rutland.
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