The West Brighton Fire Department and the town of Brighton agreed in court today to use a mediator to help resolve their ongoing dispute over use of the West Brighton firehouse located at 2695 W. Henrietta Road, as well as to develop a long-term plan for fire protection in the West Brighton Fire Protection District after residents voted last month to dissolve the district.
At a referendum held Aug. 28, residents of the West Brighton district voted overwhelmingly to dissolve the district. The result does not mean that the district has been dissolved; rather, the town now has six months to come up with a new plan for fire protection in the district.
In the meantime, Rochester firefighters have continued to operate out of the West Brighton firehouse after the town of Brighton terminated its agreement last month with the West Brighton Fire Department for fire protection services in the West Brighton district, and approved an agreement with the city of Rochester for coverage of the district. The West Brighton Fire Department has access to the firehouse, but is not be responding to calls.
In court today before state Supreme Court Justice John Ark, both parties agreed to mediation, which would include representation by district residents.
“As I see it, the mediation process, if it pleases you, could and, I believe, should, be the first step in creation of a new plan,” said Brighton Supervisor Bill Moehle.
The West Brighton Fire Department’s attorney, Bradley Pinsky, said he is agreeable to mediation because it will allow the fire department and residents to participate in the process, but added, “I think the reason the town is participating in mediation is nothing more than a tactic to delay the process.”
The two parties were in court last month, at which time Ark decided that Pinsky would present a proposed lease agreement to the town for the West Brighton firehouse.
Pinsky said he had submitted a proposed lease to the town, but did not hear back.
Moehle said that the town did respond in a letter, and that there were certain issues with the proposal that need to be addressed, including that it was between the West Brighton Fire Department and the Rochester Fire Department — not the town of Brighton.
The town agreed to respond to Pinsky regarding the proposed lease within 48 hours, after which Pinsky would respond back.
Pinsky said the West Brighton Fire Department intends to continue providing fire protection service in the future — even if that means with another department. He said the department has contacted the Henrietta department.
“If the town casts them aside ... they’ll have no other choice,” said Pinsky. “They’ll go where people accept their services.”
West Brighton Fire Department President Chris Smith declined to comment further, but said the department is continuing to operate through training and community service.
The West Brighton Fire Department and the town of Brighton agreed in court today to use a mediator to help resolve their ongoing dispute over use of the West Brighton firehouse located at 2695 W. Henrietta Road, as well as to develop a long-term plan for fire protection in the West Brighton Fire Protection District after residents voted last month to dissolve the district.
At a referendum held Aug. 28, residents of the West Brighton district voted overwhelmingly to dissolve the district. The result does not mean that the district has been dissolved; rather, the town now has six months to come up with a new plan for fire protection in the district.
In the meantime, Rochester firefighters have continued to operate out of the West Brighton firehouse after the town of Brighton terminated its agreement last month with the West Brighton Fire Department for fire protection services in the West Brighton district, and approved an agreement with the city of Rochester for coverage of the district. The West Brighton Fire Department has access to the firehouse, but is not be responding to calls.
In court today before state Supreme Court Justice John Ark, both parties agreed to mediation, which would include representation by district residents.
“As I see it, the mediation process, if it pleases you, could and, I believe, should, be the first step in creation of a new plan,” said Brighton Supervisor Bill Moehle.
The West Brighton Fire Department’s attorney, Bradley Pinsky, said he is agreeable to mediation because it will allow the fire department and residents to participate in the process, but added, “I think the reason the town is participating in mediation is nothing more than a tactic to delay the process.”
The two parties were in court last month, at which time Ark decided that Pinsky would present a proposed lease agreement to the town for the West Brighton firehouse.
Pinsky said he had submitted a proposed lease to the town, but did not hear back.
Moehle said that the town did respond in a letter, and that there were certain issues with the proposal that need to be addressed, including that it was between the West Brighton Fire Department and the Rochester Fire Department — not the town of Brighton.
The town agreed to respond to Pinsky regarding the proposed lease within 48 hours, after which Pinsky would respond back.
Pinsky said the West Brighton Fire Department intends to continue providing fire protection service in the future — even if that means with another department. He said the department has contacted the Henrietta department.
“If the town casts them aside ... they’ll have no other choice,” said Pinsky. “They’ll go where people accept their services.”
West Brighton Fire Department President Chris Smith declined to comment further, but said the department is continuing to operate through training and community service.
