Spring Valley officials bicker over fire department funding

SPRING VALLEY – While fighting a blaze caused by a basement wood stove at a Gerow Avenue house Monday, firefighters had a third truck break down.

Two aerial trucks and a pumper-tanker truck are now being repaired, cutting into the department's fleet of 10.

The loss adds to the problems for the county's busiest volunteer department, as volunteers use older equipment, worn-down fire protection gear and boots, and depend on other departments for equipment hand-me-downs.

Making matters worse, the mayor and the five-member board's majority continually bicker and blame one another, unable to agree on much — including financing the fire department or other services for residents of the 2 1/ 2 -square-mile village.

"We keep telling the mayor and trustees we need money for a lot of stuff," Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Sohlman said Thursday. "Every year we're asking the village for a bond to upgrade our equipment. They say next year, next year."

Sohlman, who works for village public works, is trying to make repairs. He's hopeful two of the trucks will be back in service soon.

"We still have enough equipment and resources," Sohlman said when it comes to emergencies. "Luckily, we have neighboring departments that give us their old equipment when they upgrade."

Mayor Demeza Delhomme and village Trustee Vilair Fonvil blamed each other. Fonvil is the leader of the board majority, which includes Trustees Asher Grossman and Emilia White.

Delhomme, the mayor since December 2013 and a trustee since 1999, said he's proposed spending on the fire department, building department and other services, like road repair and sprucing up Memorial Park. He said he's discussed the fire department's needs with the chiefs.

"Safety is my first priority," Delhomme said. "I am only one vote. Not one of their resolutions has anything to do with the safety of the people. Nearly every day we have fires. Something bad is gonna happen. It's going to be on their shoulders."

Delhomme said he will add money for the fire department and building inspectors in his budget proposal. The budget must be adopted by April 30, for a fiscal year that starts June 1.

Fonvil said he will support a bond of $2 to $3 million to finance the fire department with equipment, new cars, and a pumper truck, estimated at $750,000. He said the bond would include money to repair the village's infrastructure.

He noted the mayor once offered a $12 million bond for projects across the village, but the trustees didn't get enough information and the village already is $14 million in debt, he said.

"People on the front lines need equipment and protective uniforms," Fonvil said. "I would agree to float the bond, though the village's financial situation is bad. You have a mayor who is fighting the trustees for everything."

Fonvil said he was not aware that three trucks needed repairs.

Grossman, the board's liaison to the fire department, said he's willing and ready to vote in favor of a measure to provide funding for equipment deemed "truly needed."

"This is important to the public as well as to our dedicated volunteer fire fighters," he said in a statement. "The issue is how best to accomplish that goal."

Spring Valley's financial problems have hurt essential services for some time. The village is short fire and building inspectors, as most businesses, housing and schools have gone without inspections for years, leading to dangerous situation and a loss in revenues.

The board majority rejected Delhomme's request for 12 more inspectors recently. The state issued a critical report of the building inspections in Spring Valley and Ramapo. Both municipalities denied the charges.

Rockland Emergency Services Coordinator Gordon Wren Jr. said firetrucks and equipment break down from use, especially in cold weather. He said repairs are usually done quickly.

Spring Valley's problems are the exception, he said, adding Hillcrest Fire Department is giving the village volunteers pagers. The village firefighters got new air packs two years ago through a federal grant.

Wren noted the fire department brings in several hundred thousand dollars servicing other jurisdictions. Most other departments are funded through taxes from fire districts.

"Like a family car that needs preventive maintenance, so do firetrucks," Wren said. "I told the mayor and trustees the fire department provides the best bang for the buck. The departments needs their financial support."

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