To the editor:
I would like to bring some clarity to the article published in the Aug. 16 online edition of the Eagle News (“North Syracuse: Trustees concerned about Fireman’s Association review,” page 3, Aug. 17). It is important that your readers have complete and factual information in order to understand the nature of these circumstances. The North Syracuse Volunteer Fireman’s Association (NSVFA) is an independent incorporated (1949) non-profit (501c3) made up of present and past (volunteer) members of the North Syracuse Fire Department. The Village of North Syracuse has no authority over this private organization just like it has no authority over organizations like the Masonic Temple or the VFW.
The NSVFA’s purpose and mission is to support the volunteer firefighters who volunteer to respond daily to protect the residents (taxpayers) of the village of North Syracuse as well as areas of the towns of Cicero and Clay. Under New York State General Municipal Law, funds from these fire protection contracts with the towns of Cicero and Clay are provided to the association via the village of North Syracuse. These funds are utilized by the NSVFA for the betterment of the volunteer firefighters as they are not, and cannot be, compensated. The quotes and posture of the mayor, village board and their attorney are at best speculative and without basis.
As a matter of sound business practice, the NSVFA regularly commissions its own audits, the most recent in 2013. The result of that audit was shared with Mayor Butterfield and the village board. Additionally, the officers of the NSVFA who handle our finances are bonded, which was also shared with the mayor.
The North Syracuse Village Board approached the NSVFA in March requesting an audit. They expressed concerns that the percentage of funds allowed under NYS General Municipal Law that is allocated to the NSVFA from the town of Cicero and Clay fire protection contracts needed to be accounted for by village officials, even though the village of North Syracuse does not directly contribute anything to those funds. The NSVFA agreed to the audit and the village board agreed to pay for a portion of it.
The Bonadio Group (the CPA used by the NSVFA in the past as well) forwarded a contract and scope of service to the NSVFA. The contract contained provisions that were not part of the original agreement between the village board and the NSVFA. As such, the association contacted the Bonadio Group in an effort to correct the wording of the contract. To date, no one from the Bonadio Group has provided an updated contract or has spoken with NSVFA executives; however, it is readily apparent they have been in contact with the village board.
None of the four trustees, the mayor or the village attorney have made any effort to contact the executive board of the NSVFA or our attorney. This lack of communication between the village leadership and the volunteer firefighters of the fire department is nothing new; in fact we expressed this concern to the mayor in July.
The concern of Mayor Butterfield that the village’s insurance carrier had not been notified of whether or not recommendations from the NSVFA audit in 2013 had been implemented is new information. At no point during any previous discussions has he or any village board member brought up that the insurance carrier had an interest in this or the previous audit.
It is appropriate to mention that the North Syracuse Volunteer Fireman’s Association have used these and additional funds it has raised to purchase 10 chief’s vehicles, which are donated to the village every four years. In the past, the association has purchased tens of thousands of dollars of equipment, such as cardiac defibrillators and an air cylinder refill station that is used to fill the air cylinders that firefighters use at emergencies. The NSVFA has paid for training, uniforms, all of the furniture in both fire stations and the majority of the computer equipment in both stations. It has outfitted the kitchens at both stations and recently renovated the kitchen in Fire Station No. 1. In continuing it mission of support, the NSVFA has provided the village with over $100,000 to defray the costs associated with the purchase of a ladder truck, a light rescue vehicle and a fire engine, thereby reducing the cost to the residents (taxpayers). This year the NSVFA will be purchasing an industrial laundry washer/extractor to maintain and remove the cancer causing contaminants absorbed by the personal protective equipment worn by firefighters.
Lastly, as noted in this article, Eagle Newspapers included statements made by Mayor Butterfield, Trustee Browning, Village Clerk Kufel and Attorney Chatfield. Nowhere does the author reference any information from the leadership of the North Syracuse Volunteer Fireman’s Association. In fact, no one from the newspaper contacted the association in order to have a complete, balanced and unbiased report on this article.
The leadership of the North Syracuse Volunteer Fireman’s Association continues to act in good faith in order to address any concerns of the village board while maintaining our rights and an independent incorporation. It is difficult to do so when the board moves the target without any reasonable communication.
Jozsef Asztalos
President, NSVFA
