Cato town officials recently voted not to renew a fire contract and ignited outrage within the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department this week.

Residents of Cato's eastern half will still have fire coverage, even after three town officials voted not to renew the fire contract with Meridian Fire, Cato Town Supervisor Charles Ray said. However, a town board vote effectively canceling ties to Meridian Fire could mean the end for the 104-year-old department, Chief Amed Perrotta said in a press release issued Thursday.

Linda Chapman, Ron Dennison and Gerald Hunter agreed to send a letter informing the department they chose not to renew the fire contract for the town's District 1 during Tuesday's regular town board meeting. Vernon Blumer and Ray voted not to send the letter.

The letter stated the town was unhappy with the service because of deficiencies in manpower, availability of functional equipment and efficiency, Ray said.

He would not provide specific examples.

“Unfortunately, a couple of the Cato board members would rather send budget money to other departments rather than work with us to improve fire services and readiness,” Perrotta said, noting the contract with Cato amounts to nearly 75 percent of the small department's budget. “We have no realistic way to raise $60,000 or $70,000 to make up for not having a contract with the town of Cato.”

The town clerk's office didn't have the motion from the Aug. 7 meeting available Thursday afternoon. Meridian Fire's attorney, Tom Blair, issued a letter to the town board asking for reconsideration of the decision.

Ray assured residents will have fire coverage for the rest of this year. The current contract expires on Dec. 31. The town currently is lining up coverage for next year. The town will send inquiries to surrounding services in Weedsport, Jordan, Plainville, Cato and Ira.

Cato Fire Department covers the town's District 2, and Weedsport handles District 3. District 1 consists of the region north of Meridian to the Seneca River.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net. Staff writer Shane Liebler contributed to this report.