Fire company contracts

[slitter]

I was wondering where the town board got their figures for what the fire companies are reqesting for their contracts. I happen to know that the fire companies are waiting for the town to make an offer to THEM first, then make negotiations from there. The numbers on the town website are a flat out lie, unless the town made up their own figure taking the info the companies gave them that the town requested out of context. The town requested that the companies give them a detailed list of needs, purchases, and basically how much they plan on spending for the next year and a five year outlook. What the town didnt understand is that some of the costs are covered by grants, fundraising, or financing large purcheses through banks. The companies never have expected the town to fully finance them to every penny.

Ask anyone involved with the negotiating process. The companies have not given a number to the board yet !!! More lies to try and make the companies look like the bad guys.

www.townofboston.com/PDF/fire_req.pdf

[sneakers77]

I was wondering where the town board got their figures for what the fire companies are reqesting for their contracts. I happen to know that the fire companies are waiting for the town to make an offer to THEM first, then make negotiations from there. The numbers on the town website are a flat out lie, unless the town made up their own figure taking the info the companies gave them that the town requested out of context. The town requested that the companies give them a detailed list of needs, purchases, and basically how much they plan on spending for the next year and a five year outlook. What the town didnt understand is that some of the costs are covered by grants, fundraising, or financing large purcheses through banks. The companies never have expected the town to fully finance them to every penny.

Ask anyone involved with the negotiating process. The companies have not given a number to the board yet !!! More lies to try and make the companies look like the bad guys.

www.townofboston.com/PDF/fire_req.pdf


Figures don't lie. Just because you don't agree with them doesn't make them wrong.

But what concerns me is why didn't the lawyer from the fire companies tell his clients to take a number to the town board that would benefit both the fire companies and the taxpayers in these trying times?

[Disapointed Citizen]

Supervisor Martin Ballowe’s posting is dishonest

The Town Board has not asked the fire companies for a requested dollar amount.

The board did ask for a detailed projection of the 2011 expenditures, this what the fire companies provided. This list of expenditures is a total budget that including monies to be spent from fundraising, grants, and savings.

It is no secret that the fire companies are and have been under funded that’s why the firefighters are constantly forced to hold fundraisers.

This administration ran on platform of being open and honest, Mr. Ballowe do you consider this open and honest? Attempting to tarnish the reputation of the hard working volunteer men and women who dedicate time away from their families to risk their lives to protect your family?

Lies, lies, and more lies that’s what this town board has shown us so far. Mr. Ballowe are you proud of what you have done? Can you look your son in the face and say this is in his best interest?

Mr. Ballowe I challenge you if you are half the man you campaigned to be place a retraction on the town’s website apologizing for your mistake. The town’s firefighters are good men and women who dedicate their spare time to make this community safe. Please show some respect for the efforts they so selflessly put forth.

[sneakers77]

Supervisor Martin Ballowe’s posting is dishonest

The Town Board has not asked the fire companies for a requested dollar amount.

The board did ask for a detailed projection of the 2011 expenditures, this what the fire companies provided. This list of expenditures is a total budget that including monies to be spent from fundraising, grants, and savings.

It is no secret that the fire companies are and have been under funded that’s why the firefighters are constantly forced to hold fundraisers.

This administration ran on platform of being open and honest, Mr. Ballowe do you consider this open and honest? Attempting to tarnish the reputation of the hard working volunteer men and women who dedicate time away from their families to risk their lives to protect your family?

Lies, lies, and more lies that’s what this town board has shown us so far. Mr. Ballowe are you proud of what you have done? Can you look your son in the face and say this is in his best interest?

Mr. Ballowe I challenge you if you are half the man you campaigned to be place a retraction on the town’s website apologizing for your mistake. The town’s firefighters are good men and women who dedicate their spare time to make this community safe. Please show some respect for the efforts they so selflessly put forth.


Uh-oh..................looks like another political flyer.

Be honest, you didn't write this. Stop insulting everyones collective intelligence.

I'm going out on a limb and guessing you are one of Hawkins' minions who still can't believe he lost the last election with four lines. Can you imagine that, losing an election with four lines???????????? I can understand why he is still bitter, but hey, the taxpayers saw what was going on, and it's going to take this responsible and hard-working town board some time to correct the mis-management of our town that he was part of.

But that's just my opinion.

[sneakers77]

To include his son in your little but amusing diatribe, is cold and heart-less at best.

You see, douche-bags like yourself shouldn't be allowed to post crap like that.

I think you owe Supervisor Ballowe an apology.

[Disapointed Citizen]

Uh-oh..................looks like another political flyer.

Be honest, you didn't write this. Stop insulting everyones collective intelligence.

I'm going out on a limb and guessing you are one of Hawkins' minions who still can't believe he lost the last election with four lines. Can you imagine that, losing an election with four lines???????????? I can understand why he is still bitter, but hey, the taxpayers saw what was going on, and it's going to take this responsible and hard-working town board some time to correct the mis-management of our town that he was part of.

But that's just my opinion.

Wow way to try and get off topic, first of all the concern of this post is not who am I, second of all Yet again sneakers77 is wrong. The only contact I have ever had with Mr. Hawkins has been at public events.

Why don’t you address the question at hand why is the town board posting un-factual documents? Why not start negotiations? The board has yet to give the fire companies a proposal or ask for one.

I know for a young buck like you it’s hard to concentrate and stay on topic but pop a Ritalin and try.

[Disapointed Citizen]

Wow name calling are you going to be five or six this year? Did you stomp your feet and flail your arms when you wrote that?

[sneakers77]

Why don’t you address the question at hand why is the town board posting un-factual documents?

So you don't dispute the fact you did not write the posting? I figured you wouldn't.

OK, what's un-factual about the document?

The figures should be correct coming right from the town hall. The taxes should be correct also.

Please point it out.

[Disapointed Citizen]

So you don't dispute the fact you did not write the posting? I figured you wouldn't.

OK, what's un-factual about the document?

The figures should be correct coming right from the town hall. The taxes should be correct also.

Please point it out.

Wow you are sloooow! Yes I wrote it myself, I am not quite wealthy enough to put on a staff of writers to amuse and educate you. But thanks for the compliment I wish I could afford to add writers to my staff!

Read the original post that started this oh so un-inspiring conversation with you. Ok I know reading comprehension does not come easy for you so I will quote my own post to point out the how the documents are un-factual.

The Town Board has not asked the fire companies for a requested dollar amount.

The board did ask for a detailed projection of the 2011 expenditures, this what the fire companies provided. This list of expenditures is a total budget that includes monies to be spent from fundraising, grants, and savings.

It is no secret that the fire companies are and have been under funded that’s why the firefighters are constantly forced to hold fundraisers.

[sneakers77]

Wow you are sloooow! Yes I wrote it myself, I am not quite wealthy enough to put on a staff of writers to amuse and educate you. But thanks for the compliment I wish I could afford to add writers to my staff!

Read the original post that started this oh so un-inspiring conversation with you. Ok I know reading comprehension does not come easy for you so I will quote my own post to point out the how the documents are un-factual.

The Town Board has not asked the fire companies for a requested dollar amount.

The board did ask for a detailed projection of the 2011 expenditures, this what the fire companies provided. This list of expenditures is a total budget that includes monies to be spent from fundraising, grants, and savings.

It is no secret that the fire companies are and have been under funded that’s why the firefighters are constantly forced to hold fundraisers.

Not to get off topic, but you need to go pet your cat and catch a movie.

You are beginning to bore me.

[slitter]

OK, what's un-factual about the document?

The figures should be correct coming right from the town hall. The taxes should be correct also.

Please point it out.

Wow on that note I do agree with you. The figures SHOULD be right coming from the town board, yet they are not. Ask your friendly town supervisor to name the person or persons that gave them those requested numbers. He will not be able to because NOBODY from the fire companies gave a figure yet. Yes i know this first hand and this right here is the reason they dont trust the board and hired a lawyer. The specific firefighters involved with the negotiations even said "where the hell did they get those figures, we were waiting to hear what they offered before even mentioning dollar amounts". You can believe what you read all you want but FACT is the fire companies never gave those figures as a request for funding. Ask Marty to tell you who from each company gave the figures HE CANT !!!

Another post i read here is dead on, they probably got those figures from the budget and expenditures that the town requested from the companies. They do not however realize grants, fundraising and bank loans pay for some large expeditures. All the town asked for was what they anticipated spending in the next year. NOT what they wanted the town to pay them !!!!!!

[slitter]

But what concerns me is why didn't the lawyer from the fire companies tell his clients to take a number to the town board that would benefit both the fire companies and the taxpayers in these trying times?

Funny thing here, you can replace FIRE COMPANIES with TOWN BOARD and turn the tables. Since the companies provided ALL the budgets and information to the town board weeks ago, shouldnt the town have looked it all over and offered the FIRE COMPANIES a number that would benefit both the fire companies and the taxpayers. Boy you do still live by a double standard.

And the lawyer comment doesnt even apply because his clients DIDNT TAKE A NUMBER TO THE TOWN !( yes, caps lock stuck )

[slitter]

I also noticed on the town website proposed budget that fire protection was lowered by $30,000 yet the recently elected councilmans pay cuts they took when they started, conveniently dissapeared. That didnt last long, guess saving the taxpayers money is only important for the first year of your office.

As sneakers stated before, these are trying times, then why did 2 board members, town clerk, 2 town justices, and highway superintendant get raises in the proposed budget. Like you said we should all sacrifice in these trying times, i can use your double standard way of looking at things too !

[sneakers77]

I also noticed on the town website proposed budget that fire protection was lowered by $30,000 yet the recently elected councilmans pay cuts they took when they started, conveniently dissapeared. That didnt last long, guess saving the taxpayers money is only important for the first year of your office.

As sneakers stated before, these are trying times, then why did 2 board members, town clerk, 2 town justices, and highway superintendant get raises in the proposed budget. Like you said we should all sacrifice in these trying times, i can use your double standard way of looking at things too !

The increases the councilman took will be donated back to the community.

I guess you are against elected officials giving back part of their hard-earned salary to groups that need it in town.

Scrooge.

[sneakers77]

Another post i read here is dead on, they probably got those figures from the budget and expenditures that the town requested from the companies.

So why didn't the lawyer come into the negotiations with a number instead of leaving the town board in the dark?

Something doesn't smell right.

[boston]

If the town board has been working "diligently" with the three fire companies then why has there been only ONE meeting with the fire companies about the contract?

Sneakers your right something doesn't smell right.

diligent- Marked by perseving, painstaking effort.

One meeting in 2 months doesn't sound diligent to me.

[slitter]

So why didn't the lawyer come into the negotiations with a number instead of leaving the town board in the dark?

Something doesn't smell right.

Um hello....there were no negotiations yet. The fire companies turned in all the budget numbers and future outlook documentation the board requested for review. That was the last line of communication. The fire companies were waiting to hear from the BOARD what their thoughts were and to start to negotiate.

[sneakers77]

If the town board has been working "diligently" with the three fire companies then why has there been only ONE meeting with the fire companies about the contract?

Sneakers your right something doesn't smell right.

diligent- Marked by perseving, painstaking effort.

One meeting in 2 months doesn't sound diligent to me.

Maybe this makes more sense:

Diligently
(adv.) In a diligent manner; not carelessly; not negligently; with industry or assiduity

Agreed?

[FMD]

what is the point of this argument?

[sneakers77]

what is the point of this argument?

Argument??????????

It's a friendly debate between citizens that have different opinions and views.

Let's face it, you were the one that suggested that the neighbor has a garden hose, how ridiculous is that statement?

[mnb811]

Noticed no one mention the article in the Buffalo News today. I know it is not Boston but don't you think an audit or contract opening is a good idea? 300 grand is a lot of cash and it doesn't belong to the fire company but is the taxpayers money.

[southtownswatchdog]

Interesting, you are right mnb881. NO ONE mentioned it. Yet when the Town Board made a point at the last meeting to say that "NO ONE" was watching, they were criticized!! They have been criticized for actually “looking” at the fire companies checking accounts. OH NO!!!! Can’t do that!!

Hello all you “Concerned Citizens”, are you going to keep on giving your ELECTED Town Board crap for paying attention? They are doing what they promised they would do. No secrets there. They are OPEN and HONEST. Joe "Q" public may not realize all the "ins and outs" but the "boys" are doing their job. Believe it or not; the GIRL, is helping too!! That is who you need to re-elect next year!! Kathy Magran is looking out for the TAXPAYERS, not the select few!!!

Hey Slitter, I am still waiting to hear about the NEW YORK STATE LAW. You must be an EXPERT!! Show your face. I DARE YOU!! LIAR!! I have the knowledge and every resource to prove you wrong. LIAR. **** STURING LIAR!! You got awfully quiet you LIAR. Come on back LIAR. I will call you out EVERY TIME. How does that go again? OH YEAH, CAPS LOCK STUCK!!!!!!!!!

[mnb811]

Interesting, you are right mnb881. NO ONE mentioned it. Yet when the Town Board made a point at the last meeting to say that "NO ONE" was watching, they were criticized!! They have been criticized for actually “looking” at the fire companies checking accounts. OH NO!!!! Can’t do that!!

Hello all you “Concerned Citizens”, are you going to keep on giving your ELECTED Town Board crap for paying attention? They are doing what they promised they would do. No secrets there. They are OPEN and HONEST. Joe "Q" public may not realize all the "ins and outs" but the "boys" are doing their job. Believe it or not; the GIRL, is helping too!! That is who you need to re-elect next year!! Kathy Magran is looking out for the TAXPAYERS, not the select few!!!

Hey Slitter, I am still waiting to hear about the NEW YORK STATE LAW. You must be an EXPERT!! Show your face. I DARE YOU!! LIAR!! I have the knowledge and every resource to prove you wrong. LIAR. **** STURING LIAR!! You got awfully quiet you LIAR. Come on back LIAR. I will call you out EVERY TIME. How does that go again? OH YEAH, CAPS LOCK STUCK!!!!!!!!!

LOL the truth shall set you free!!!!That's why they won't answer it and throw out the you hate/smeared the names of firefighters. Total BS!

[Disapointed Citizen]

Again MNB811 NO ONE IS QUESTIONING THE BOARD CHECKING THINGS. The way they are doing it is just plain wrong!

Posting lies on the town’s website, open and honest my ass!

Posting a notice for meeting to cancel the fire contracts with no notice to the fire companies days after meeting with them and discussing open lines of communications. Open and honest my ass!

Having a meeting for something that important at 4:30 on a Monday with 3 days notice to the public, with only a message on the website and an ad in the back of the paper, obviously a ploy to keep the taxpayers in the dark on what they were doing. Again open and honest my ass!

Insulting the taxpaying volunteer firefighters and calling them “pathetic and powerless” on a public board. I guess if Mr. Boardway feels that the taxpayers are “pathetic and powerless” you could call that open and honest.

This board forgets that the VOLUNTEER firefighters of this town are not the crooks you read about in the paper. The Volunteer firefighters in this town are already under funded thus all the wasted time fundraising.

All this town board cares about is tax cuts; they don’t care about the safety of this community just dollars and cents. Again I pay $130 a year for fire protection that’s 4% of my taxes I do not need or want to save a few dollars a year if it is going to jeopardize the lives of my friends or family.

Again Mr. Ballowe stop the lies take down your ridicules posting from your website. Tell the truth you posted that knowing that’s not what the volunteer firefighters requested; you just want to look like a hero when you show a cost savings from that number. By not taking down that posting you proved you are not the man you campaigned to be, YOU ARE just another lying politician out to make himself look good.

Southtowns, your posting was so childish the only response I have for you is grow up. Again you don’t live here you don’t pay taxes here, your only concern here is your friendship with a board member. Take your biased opinion to the fourth grade where YOU belong.