RICK ARMON
The Akron Beacon Journal
BOSTON HEIGHTS - Boston Heights firefighters are upset they haven't been paid in more than two months.
Village officials say the small community isn't refusing to pay; it's just a matter of getting enough council members together to approve new pay legislation.
"They are going to get paid," Fire Chief James Robinson said Monday. "It's not that they aren't going to get paid. The wheels are turning slowly."
In the meantime, though, the 20 volunteer firefighters, who are paid per call, are irked, the chief admitted.
The village this year reworked pay for employees. That included restructuring pay for different firefighting duties into one hourly rate, and increasing that rate to $12.60.
The legislation also contained some controversial policy changes, such as paying firefighters for every 15 minutes when responding, instead of giving them at least a full hour.
The fire chief said he and others failed to read the original legislation close enough to catch the differences.
The six-member council has agreed to redo the legislation, and officials decided not to issue checks until council acted.
The problem? There haven't been enough council members attending the June or July meetings to approve the legislation as an emergency.
A special meeting has been called for July 28. A special meeting also was set for the end of June, but not enough members showed up.
"We need to get this straightened out," Mayor Bill Goncy said.
Councilwoman Janet Miller said she expects the legislation to be approved this month.
The amount of money owed isn't a fortune, but firefighters are frustrated.
"It's more or less the principle," said one firefighter, who asked that his name not be used. "At least pay us for the gas to get there and back."
Copyright 2009 Akron Beacon Journal
July 14, 2009