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Boardman closes another fire station today because of layoffs

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Boardman closes another fire station today because of layoffs

BOARDMAN — The fire station and Lockwood Boulevard and Shields Road was closed today after the township discontinued a contract provision calling for minimum manning.

Harry Wolfe, president of the firefighters union, said seven firefighters were on duty today, all working out of the main station on U.S. Route 224.

Earlier this week, the township decided to exercise a portion of the firefighters’ contract allowing them to discontinue minimum manning if it had been used more than five times in a calendar year.

Minimum manning had required nine people on shift at a time. If fewer than nine people were working because of vacations or sick days, the township called in firefighters on overtime to meet the minimum.

That had occurred seven times this year.

Jason Loree, township administrator, has said the decision was made to reduce costs.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.