Olean fire needs equipment...Council questions cost

The Olean fire department may have a better idea by tomorrow night, whether or not it will get the go-ahead to purchase a new rescue tool.

 The fire department says it needs a new Jaws of Life rescue tool, noting that tool now in service is 25 years old. And while the Common Council hasn’t suggested the Department doesn’t need the tool, they are squabbling over how much to pay for the potentially life-saving device. Some lawmakers think the fire service wants to spend too much money while others disagree. The debate will continue tomorrow night when the Council’s Finance Committee meets. On the agenda is a request to transfer up to $25,000 for the purchase of the rescue tool. 

Olean Alderman Jim Brady to propose $100,000 cut to Olean City Fire Department

Olean's Finance Committee met this past week to discuss the Mayors proposed budget when dust got kicked up again. Mayor Linda Witte's (D-Olean) plan calls for a 0% tax increase, but Council member Jim Brady (R-Olean) says the city can do better. When the city's Committee of the Whole meets next week, he'll be asking for a noteworthy cut to the fire department. The agenda item reads...

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 6:30 P.M.

Council Chambers – Olean Municipal Building

AGENDA

1.     PL#06-12: (Brady) to reduce the Fire Department Budget by $100,000, or about 2.5% in the preliminary budget submitted to the Common Council on February 7, 2012. The savings will be used to reduce the tax rate by approximately 1.4%