MERIDIAN - A majority of the Cato Town Board solidified its stance against negotiations with the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department before a capacity crowd Tuesday.

Town councilors voted 3-2 to allow coverage of Fire District 1 to end Dec. 31 for the third time in as many months after hearing from several department supporters who pleaded for more consideration. More than 75 people crowded town hall and prodded the board for about two hours.

Canceling the contract with Meridian firefighters would effectively close the department within a year, according to its leadership. The contract covers about 75 percent of its annual income.

Department attorney Tom Blair suggested a change to Cato, Ira, Jordan or Weedsport service would raise homeowner insurance premiums and lengthen response times. The town would lose the department's four basic life support-certified medics as well, which many argued, will put lives in danger.

“Fires are few and far between in our neck of the woods, really it's the emergency medical calls fire departments deal with the most,” Blair said.

Town Councilman Ronald Dennison suggested the insurance premium figures the department quoted assume there is no fire protection, which will not be the case. Most Fire District 1 homes will fall within the required 5-mile radius, he added.

Several residents used personal anecdotes in their rebuttals, arguing other departments aren't capable of providing the same service at the same price.

“They (Cato) are great people, but I also know where that firehouse is located compared to Meridian,” Bonta Bridge Road resident Jeff Grant said. “Meridian's always been there.

“I think there's a need in the town for two fire departments,” he added.

The department's role as a social organization was also highlighted by some supporters. Resident Rosemary Donnelly reminded the board that the Ladies Auxiliary would dissolve with the department when it closes its doors.

Only one spoke in favor of the board's decision to cut ties with the Meridian Fire Department.

“Above all we want to know where the money is going,” said resident Stephanie Grant, later identified as Councilwoman Linda Chapman's daughter. “Our board people are sitting here trying to protect our money.”

Chapman, Dennison and Gerald Hunter voted against negotiations for a third time while Town Supervisor Charles Ray and Councilman Vernon Blumer voted to give the department another chance.

Consolidation with another department may be the 104-year-old organization's only chance for survival with the Cato contract firmly denied. The department will try to cut back as much as possible to keep going at least through the end of 2008, fire board President Bob Perrotta said.

“We're looking for a change on the town board,” he said, noting two council seats are up for election in November.

Many in Tuesday's gallery contended the negative vote can be traced to personal problems with the department rather than the equipment, manpower and financial issues that the board has cited.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net