A dispute between the town of Brighton and the West Brighton Fire Department about whether the department is required to turn over its assets continued today at a hearing before state Supreme Court Justice John Ark.
The town had submitted court proceedings that requested ordering the department to turn over its assets, including its firehouse at 2695 W. Henrietta Road.
It was decided in court today that the West Brighton Fire Department’s attorney, Bradley Pinsky, will present a proposed lease agreement to the town by Friday. A conference between the two parties and Ark has been scheduled for Sept. 10. In the meantime, Rochester firefighters will continue to operate out of the West Brighton firehouse.
Effective Aug. 1 at 8 a.m., the Brighton Town Board terminated its agreement with the West Brighton Fire Department for fire protection services in the West Brighton Fire Protection District, and approved an agreement with the city of Rochester for coverage of the district.
Rochester firefighters moved into the West Brighton firehouse Aug. 2 after Ark gave a temporary restraining order to allow the city of Rochester to have shared access to the firehouse. The West Brighton Fire Department has access to the firehouse, but is not be responding to calls.
“I’m obviously pleased because the most important thing from the start has been to maintain continuous fire service in West Brighton,” said Supervisor Bill Moehle, of Ark’s decision today.
But, he said, he hopes that the town of Brighton and the West Brighton Fire Department are able to negotiate more than a lease, but rather a “comprehensive solution” that would involve the department in providing fire protection services in the West Brighton district alongside the Rochester firefighters.
“I’m pleased that we’ve opened lease negotiations,” said West Brighton Fire Department President Chris Smith. As for considering an agreement beyond a lease of the firehouse, Smith said, “our goal is to get through the referendum vote.”
Smith said that the department is remaining active and is doing community outreach leading up to a referendum on Aug. 28 regarding dissolution of the West Brighton district. The referendum will be held from noon to 9 p.m. at the Rustic Village Apartments Entertaining Center on East Squire Drive.
Kenneth Gordon, town attorney, said that if residents vote to dissolve the district, this would not terminate the agreement with the city of Rochester. It would instead initiate a process in which the town board would be charged with coming up with an alternative fire protection plan.
A dispute between the town of Brighton and the West Brighton Fire Department about whether the department is required to turn over its assets continued today at a hearing before state Supreme Court Justice John Ark.
The town had submitted court proceedings that requested ordering the department to turn over its assets, including its firehouse at 2695 W. Henrietta Road.
It was decided in court today that the West Brighton Fire Department’s attorney, Bradley Pinsky, will present a proposed lease agreement to the town by Friday. A conference between the two parties and Ark has been scheduled for Sept. 10. In the meantime, Rochester firefighters will continue to operate out of the West Brighton firehouse.
Effective Aug. 1 at 8 a.m., the Brighton Town Board terminated its agreement with the West Brighton Fire Department for fire protection services in the West Brighton Fire Protection District, and approved an agreement with the city of Rochester for coverage of the district.
Rochester firefighters moved into the West Brighton firehouse Aug. 2 after Ark gave a temporary restraining order to allow the city of Rochester to have shared access to the firehouse. The West Brighton Fire Department has access to the firehouse, but is not be responding to calls.
“I’m obviously pleased because the most important thing from the start has been to maintain continuous fire service in West Brighton,” said Supervisor Bill Moehle, of Ark’s decision today.
But, he said, he hopes that the town of Brighton and the West Brighton Fire Department are able to negotiate more than a lease, but rather a “comprehensive solution” that would involve the department in providing fire protection services in the West Brighton district alongside the Rochester firefighters.
“I’m pleased that we’ve opened lease negotiations,” said West Brighton Fire Department President Chris Smith. As for considering an agreement beyond a lease of the firehouse, Smith said, “our goal is to get through the referendum vote.”
Smith said that the department is remaining active and is doing community outreach leading up to a referendum on Aug. 28 regarding dissolution of the West Brighton district. The referendum will be held from noon to 9 p.m. at the Rustic Village Apartments Entertaining Center on East Squire Drive.
Kenneth Gordon, town attorney, said that if residents vote to dissolve the district, this would not terminate the agreement with the city of Rochester. It would instead initiate a process in which the town board would be charged with coming up with an alternative fire protection plan.
