Wellsville Village Board - Standing Room Only On Fire Dept. Hot Topic

Wellsville firefighters pack the village
board meeting

Close to 100 people crowded into the Monday Room at the David A. Howe Library Monday night for the Wellsville Village Board meeting. Most visitors were there over a fire department matter that has been smoldering for weeks. For twenty-four straight minutes, volunteer firefighter after volunteer firefight made comment to the village board. The issue? The village board's decision not to accept the fire departments delegate vote supporting Michael "Barney" Dillie to remain as Wellsville First Assistant Fire Chief. At the last village meeting, the mayor and trustees heard from Dillie supporters who asked the village vote to be overturned. Tonight, the audience deck was stacked against Mr. Dillie (at least by a show of hands). This is a summary of some of the comments made tonight-

Firefighter Jeff Ormsby (right) makes a point
to the village board

Brandon Harris, Captain, Dyke Street Engine Company: "We do not support Mike Dillie as 1st Assistant Fire Chief."

1. Jeff Ormsby, representing the Wellsville Fire Company, WFC, (a merger of the former Genesee Hose and McEwen Engine companies): "We (WFC) support your (village board) decision not to approve Mr. Dillie...Since he has become Assistant Chief, we have had several active members stop attending meetings, trainings and most importantly, emergency calls. Dillie has shown disrespect to the WFC and Dyke's (Dyke Street Engine). We would like to request a vote for the assistant chief position and a general election, not delegates to elect."
2. David Helmer, WFC: Does not support the appointment of Barney Dillie and questioned the fire department voting process.
3. Shawn Walsh, Emerald Hook & Ladder: The former fire chief explained issues and agreements made between Fire Board and the Wellsville Fire Company. He noted that with a general fire department election, with the new WFC with double the membership of other companies, the WFC "could throw any election because of its size."
4. Tim Walsh, Emerald Hook & Ladder Company: "I would propose that the village board consider just one thing...that historically, this is the way the fire companies proposed their leadership to the village board. Mr. Dillie, selected by the delegates, won his position." He added that "some want to bring personalities in and if you want to go back years and years and years, there have been fire chiefs in this department on multiple occasions that everybody didn't like...So, this is a just a bunch of nonsense."
5. Jamie Herman, Emerald Hook & Ladder/Former village trustee: "This group will come together...one way or another. I request the village board consider rescinding its past vote (regarding Dillie). Any fire department, paid or volunteer, is steeped in tradition. Since 1940 or before, this has been the process (of electing chiefs). You don't change the rules at election time. Herman said Dillie should be appointed by the village and then work should be done to modify fire department policies.
6. Steve Kear, Wellsville Fire Company: He noted that he has been a firefighter in Wellsville for about ten years. He said bluntly, "you can't follow heritage." Times change. He said the people who are active should be making decisions, not those that show up twice a year.
7. Jim Meehan, past chief: A member for more than 50 years, Meehan said he has watched this "go on and on." He took aim at the Emerald Hook & Ladder because several years ago, that company pushed to block the appointment of an assistant chief.

Mayor Shayler (right) with village trustees

Mayor Randy Shayler: "Bear in mind that we view this as a responsibility. Would we rather be doing something else? Yeah" (with a grin). Shayler told the volunteers that the meeting would be moving in to Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Shayler said "we're gonna do our best at this...there is a division in here. I would encourage you, whichever way this works out - we all need to be together...we all live in the same area." He concluded with "we need to look beyond our differences. The mayor asked if any village trustee would like to speak. They all declined.
As the room was emptying, Regional News asked the mayor how long the private session would be. He indicated that it would be lengthy and no further public action would be taken tonight.

Volunteers asked to leave for executive session by village board