WELLSVILLE - For the last several months, there has been ongoing discussion, sometimes heated ,over a fire protection policy involving the town, the village and the fire department. During Wednesday night's town board meeting, supervisor Shad Alsworth wanted to clear up a few things. Most importantly, he said the village and town are working together to resolve some issues. However, Alsworth said "we're done kicking cans."
Alsworth noted that the Dyke Street Engine Company and the Wellsville Fire Company were in serious discussions to merge operations. He told the Board and public, "I can promise you one thing...the level of fire protection in the town of Wellsville will not change regardless of outcome. Everybody's committed to providing the best level of fire protection they possibly can."
The town supervisor said "the final decisions as to what direction the fire department, the town of Wellsville and the village of Wellsville go in...are not going to be easy decisions." He continued to say "it's gonna take a lot more meetings and I ask that everybody exercise patience." Alsworth said he expects "at some time in the near future" there will be a public meeting involving the town, village and fire department so residents can express their thoughts on the best direction for the future.
Don Stevens, a Wellsville resident and fifty-four year member of the fire service, told the board "I just wanna say, personally...I wanna thank you (Alsworth) and your board for the efforts you have put in so far." "It hasn't gone unnoticed," Stevens concluded.
The town board expects to engage in several more meetings throughout the summer to iron out differences and misconceptions between the fire service, village and town.
