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Judge Coccoma Tells City, Town

To Negotiate Temporary Fire Pact

City Attorney David Merzig addresses Supreme Court Judge Michael V. Coccoma during this morning's hearing on the town and city fire contract. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
City Attorney David Merzig addresses Supreme Court Judge Michael V. Coccoma during this morning's hearing on the town and city fire contract. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)

By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.com

COOPERSTOWN – A state Supreme Court judge this morning ordered the City of Oneonta and Town of Oneonta Fire District #1 to negotiate an extension to the current contract so the Oneonta Fire Department can continue protecting homes and businesses after midnight Dec. 31.

"It's not the role of the court to negotiate a contract," said Judge Michael V. Coccoma.  "But I'll make myself available."

During the hour-long hearing in Supreme Court chambers at the Otsego County Annex Building, both City Attorney David Merzig and Terence Hannigan, attorney for the town Fire Commissioners, presented their arguments.

"We're trying to resolve this," said Hannigan.  "But they are a vendor, and now they want 30 percent more or they won't provide service.  The commissioners have an obligation to provide service, but they also have an obligation to show what tax dollars are being used for."

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