Fire Department & Flint Park Issues Flare Up - Again

by Judy Silberstein

(February 28, 2008) To the consternation of Larchmont’s Village Board, two hot topics they thought had cooled off were once again on the front burner at their Monday, February 25 meeting: the fire department and Flint Park.

Fire Department Issues Re-Burn

The specific “hot spot” on display this week revolved around changes to bylaws that govern the four volunteer fire companies, but at the heart of the dispute were two issues: control (Is it the volunteer Fire Council or the paid fire chief who is in charge?) and numbers (Are there enough volunteers to keep the companies functioning?)

The Fire Council, the department’s governing board comprised of volunteer firefighters, had voted over the objections of Fire Chief Rich Heine to allow associate members, who do not respond to fires, to assume some leadership positions. The Council argued that there were too few active members to maintain the companies and that associates were capable of handling clerical and social chores. (See: LFD Volunteers & Chief Battle Over Leadership & Fire Safety.)

On the recommendation of Chief Heine, the board declined to approve the changes. Trustee Jim Millstein, who serves as fire commissioner, strongly questioned whether inactive members – especially those who continue to oppose the board and the chief - should make decisions or handle money for those who are actually fighting fires. However, Mr. Millstein suggested it was time for him to sit down with the chief and the volunteers to improve communication and attempt to resolve the many concerns that continue to roil the department.

How many firefighters? Members of Fire Council showed up to defend their vote, and Mayor Liz Feld re-opened the discussion to allow for their comments. Chris MacDonald, the last volunteer chief, questioned the distinction being made between associates and other members who remain on the active roster but who have not fought fires for years. According to Mr. Millstein there are 28 members on the roster (Chief Heine later updated that to 31), but Mr. MacDonald said there are only 8 with the 15% attendance record required to participate in votes or hold leadership positions. Later, Chief Heine noted that a “lifetime” member was exempt from the 15% rule, but the chief and the members disagree over who has lifetime status.

Also disputing the board’s decision was Ray Maldonado, who said he had been forced to resign by Mr. Millstein and had not received a board decision on his re-application, nor is he being properly recognized as the president of Hook and Ladder Company. There ensued a circular argument with Mr. Millstein saying Mr. Maldonado could not return because he had not submitted records requested by the chief, and Mr. Maldonado saying he would not submit records unless he was recognized. Additionally Mr. Maldonado was told he was being rejected because of his continued participation in a suit against the Village Board, though Mr. Maldonado pointed out that two other members of the Fire Council participated in the same suit. In the end, Mr. Maldonado agreed to share what records he has with the board.

In fact, however, none of the four companies has submitted all documents requested, according to Chief Heine. He reported that two have submitted all financial records, one has submitted half, but none has turned over minutes, which he said he needed for a complete audit. As a consequence, he has not distributed to the volunteers any of this year’s “1.8” funds, which come from fees paid by foreign corporations that insure local businesses and are meant to support firefighter activities. This is another bone of contention: Chief Heine said only those meeting the 15% rule would be counted in divvying up the money among the volunteers and the paid staff – throwing the lion’s share to the career group.

Mr. MacDonald and another former chief, Mike Wiener, bristled at Mr. Heine’s accounting. Mr. MacDonald said, “There is no dialogue going on in Fire Council – it’s a dictatorship.” Mr. Wiener threatened another lawsuit over the handling of the 1.8 funds.

Ultimately, Trustee Marlene Kolbert noted that all the issues flaring up were those “that we attempted to resolve a year ago. Let’s not revisit them here tonight.” The discussion ended with the board reiterating its resolve to have Mr. Millstein and Larchmont’s attorney sit down with the firefighters to hash things out.

Flint Park Neighbors Continue to Voice Concerns

Two residents from a group opposing some of the development ongoing at Flint Park were at the board as a follow-up to previous conversations and meetings. (See: Neisghbors Concerned About New Poles & New Paths at Flint Park.) Vicky Stein, from Old Colony Road, asked for updates on a number of safety and aesthetic concerns. Mayor Feld reported that a comprehensive safety plan for the park would be forthcoming from the police department. The large poles and nets, which both residents and board members deem ugly, will be reconsidered after the next baseball season.

Ms. Stein and Carol Blaser, whose home at the end of Lindsley Road adjoins the back of the park, voiced additional concerns about the “enormous” raised boardwalks and observation platforms recently erected in the environmental area, which they viewed as intrusive of the bird sanctuary, inviting to teen drinkers and a risk to the neighborhood’s privacy and safety. Ms. Blaser asked, “How did this happen?” and said she was unaware of any plans or demand for the structures, particularly given competing needs for flood control.

Ms. Kolbert said, “I am sad, in a way, that we are having this discussion at such a late hour.” She and Mayor Feld described the many public meetings, newsletters and media accounts on the park’s development, going back to 2002 and beyond. (See: Designs Jell for Flint Park Ball Fields & Environmental Area and $120,000 Grant for Flint Park.) “She mentioned the “6,600 kids who use that park” and said “we’ve spent a lot of time and gotten a lot of money to improve that park.” She also explained that the size of the boardwalks, which include raised rails, are required for safety and handicap access and that opening up waterside access was integral to Larchmont receiving a grant to develop the area.

Trustee Anne McAndrews explained that new landscaping of saw grass and other native plants are designed to attract and shelter a long list of bird species, including osprey who are expected to nest in the platform being erected for them. Mayor Feld said “we’ve gotten a lot of “bang for the buck” given that Larchmont has received grants and private donations to offset most of the cost of the park's development. Part of the work, she noted, involves installation of an extensive new drainage system, which should help reduce flooding in and around the park.

The mayor said she will be continuing to communicate with the Flint Park neighbors, but Trustee Richard Ward suggested another approach to keeping informed about the goings on at Village Hall: join one of Larchmont's many volunteer committees.

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