Fire Service Award
Retroactive pay expected shortly
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The Town of Amherst has decided to make retroactive payments to 35 firefighters in five fire districts.

Comptroller Frank Belliotti has prepared a resolution for the Sept. 4 Town Board meeting that provides for an amount of $147,680.

"Soon as everything is signed it will be paid ... probably within the next 30 days," he said about the firefighters receiving their lump sum. "There are a few logistics."

The decision was made shortly after the Town of Clarence lost in a court ruling. The town was seeking a decision on whether the current form of payment was discriminatory to older members and whether it had to pay retroactively into the Service Award Program.

Town Attorney Tom Jones said the current method of payment into the Service Award Program was questioned for discrimination toward older members. In addition to the Clarence case, additional rulings were made in New York State.

Since 1993, towns have had to pay for firefighters at age 55 as opposed to 62. That is for firefighters who register at least 50 points, based on their level of activity and training.

Belliotti said the final tally is close to what was expected. Without the retroactive pay, the town has been budgeting about $500,000 in service award payments.

The presentation made on Monday addressed payments to Ellicott Creek, Getzville, Main Transit, North Amherst and North Bailey.

Only one firefighter will be receiving payment for the entire 13 years, for a total of $21,840. The remaining payments to members range from $240 for one year to $20,400 for 12 years.

Five members are listed as deceased. Belliotti said those payments are made to the family of the firefighter.

According to town records, the resolution to amend the Service Award Program was passed in September 2005.

In the future the town will have to account for additional liability and future payments.

Also beginning in September, the monthly service award payment will increase $20 per month for those 55 and older. Belliotti said the pension amount had been capped, whether or not a firefighter remained active.

The members of other fire departments are eligible but those that have shared boundaries between municipalities will be calculated by another method. Amherst will then be billed for its share.

The five mentioned in this article serve only Amherst.