TYRE NEWSLINE UPDATE MARCH 2021

TYRE NEWS UPDATE 2021

There has been a lot of time and effort associated with the awarding of the Galen-Clyde contract regarding fire protection for the Town of Tyre. I would like to provide some background information in an effort to explain (and to clear up any misinformation) as to what led us to this current decision and also to take this opportunity to let our community know the facts regarding this particularly important decision.

As can be seen by this resolution below, the Town of Tyre Town Board voted unanimously, to contract with the Galen-Clyde Fire District. 

NOVEMBER 19, 2020

RESOLUTION OF TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF TYRE AUTHORIZING FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACT WITHIN THE TYRE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 2021.

WHEREAS, there has been established in the Town of Tyre a fire protection district known as the “Tyre Fire Protection District” embracing the territory in the whole of said Town wholly outside of any city or village as such territory is more fully described establishing such district duly previously adopted by The Town of Tyre Town Board, and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract for the furnishing of fire protection to the said fire protection district, and

WHEREAS, due notice has been given of a public hearing to be held at the Town of Tyre Town Hall, 1082 Gravel Road, Seneca Falls, New York 13148 on November 19, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. prevailing time to consider a contract for the furnishing of fire protection to the said fire protection district, the notice duly specifying the time and place of the hearing as aforesaid, and giving in general terms the proposed contract, and the said hearing having been held, and all persons interested in appearing having been heard,

 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, That the Town of Tyre shall contract with the Galen-Clyde Fire District for the furnishing of fire protection to the Tyre Fire Protection District for the period commencing at January 1, 2021 through and including December 31, 2021 for the sum in the total amount of One Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($155,000.00) together with such other terms and conditions as are stated in such contract, a copy of which is attached hereto; and it is further,

RESOLVED, That such contract be executed on behalf of this Board by the Town Supervisor on behalf of members thereof.

The adoption of the foregoing Resolution was moved by Councilman Reginald Aceto, seconded by Councilman Kenneth Sutterby, and duly put to a vote, which resulted as follows:

The Resolution was duly adopted.

November 19, 2020                                                                                                                                                                 

Throughout the course of the past year it had become increasingly evident that action needed to be taken to assure comprehensive fire protection service to our Town.  At one point in time, Magee Fire Chief Craig Reynolds advised the Board that his department had not responded to 4 emergency calls and that he could not give any assurance that Magee firefighters would be able to respond to calls in the future as required in their contract with the Town. This information, in addition to the ongoing reports of nonstop in-fighting within that department, the constant threats to this office of fire fighters planning to quit due to this in-fighting, various New York State Agency Investigations taking place within that department, Workplace Violence Allegations, as well as a multitude of other matters, led to the difficult and heartbreaking decision to look elsewhere for reliable fire protection.

The Town Board then proceeded to seek the advice of Attorney Mark C. Butler in an effort to give us options for moving forward with future fire protection for our residents. Attorney Butler’s specialty is New York State fire department law. It was confirmed by legal counsel that the Town has No Legal Authority to intervene in Magee’s internal struggles. Again, after much research, time and effort, the Town Board decided to move in a different direction and seek an alternative to the Magee Fire Department for fire protection.

 As a result, the Town of Tyre has contracted with the Galen-Clyde Fire District for 2021. There has been a tremendous amount of work that has been completed in a noticeably short period of time by the folks in the Galen-Clyde Fire Department.  They have been working with Seneca County and Wayne County officials, Local Law Enforcement officials, the NYS Thruway Authority, neighboring fire departments (creating an updated mutual aid agreement), del Lago officials, all the while maintaining a clear and open path of communication with this office keeping us updated on this process. They have met with firefighters from Magee Volunteer Fire Department, offering them training, as well as outlining the process for them to apply for membership to Galen-Clyde with the associated expectations of their department. 

Galen-Clyde’s clear commitment to ensure all stakeholders are being brought to the table, to work together on the same mission, which is to offer fire protection to the Town of Tyre. This has been truly commendable, and at the same time, this work has been respectful of the long standing Magee Fire Department which has been an integral part of this community for so many years. 

It has also been quite commendable that Chief Tavano from the Galen-Clyde Fire Department has secured a bay at Petro to house a fire truck. This bay at Petro is being staffed with Volunteer fire fighters as often they can, ready to respond when called. Because of the comprehensive planning and leadership of this department, they have provided Tyre with a quicker response time in the majority of cases, simply because fire fighters are often times at their truck stationed here in Tyre. 

We look forward to working with Galen-Clyde and thank everyone involved for their continued commitment and dedication to working as a team to ensure proper and consistent fire protection for our town.

As always, please feel free to stop in and visit me at the Tyre Municipal Building with any questions or concerns you may have.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Ron

Ronald F. McGreevy / Town of Tyre Supervisor