As the on-going budget battle between the City of Ogdensburg and its fire department rages on, the city has reached out to a higher office for help through mediation: State Senator Patty Ritchie.

What You Need To Know

  • In a budget battle, the City of Ogdensburg says it needs to cut spending and it plans to eliminate 10 positions from the city fire department

  • The Fire Department Union says it signed a multi-year contract, with cuts included, less than a year ago and just wants the city to honor it

  • State Senator Patty Ritchie was called in to mediate discussions between the two parties

 

Ritchie has played many roles in the district she serves and one has been a mediator. So it wasn't a total surprise when the financially challenged city of Ogdensburg came calling.

It's in the middle of a heated battle with its fire department over what the city says is a critical need to cut spending -- and to do so, eliminate 10 positions from the department.

"Everybody wants to support our local police department, our local fire department, but on the flip side, people also know that there are some financial difficulties the city has been dealing with," Ritchie said.

Ritchie met with both the city and the fire department's union Monday. We're told during this initial meeting, both parties caught the senator up on their thoughts, the city's financial issues and the department having just signed a multi-year contract with the city less than a year ago -- which included cuts.

Both are open to hearing more of what the senator has to say as she dives in further, understanding the need for public safety.

"I'm focused on our financial viability, as well as public safety is the number one responsibility of any level of government, including local government," Ogdensburg City Manager Stephen Jellie said.

Union President Jason Bouchard says he "just wants the city to honor the contract it agreed to," adding that the safety of citizens depends on it.

Ritchie is looking to help them find a compromise without the animosity we've seen for months.

"My hope is that we'll be able to sit down and discuss it and possibly come to some sort of resolution in a more positive way," she said.

Bouchard also believes the cuts may actually be more expensive, when you consider the costs of overtime, understaffing hazard pay, unemployment, and even legal fees for breach of contract. As of right now, it does not plan to move off of its position.

Neither does the city, which could vote on a budget, which eliminates the 10 jobs, as soon as next week. Both sides do say, though, that they'd like to keep the dialog with Senator Ritchie open.