Sturtevant Demands Fire Staffing or Will Reduce Payment to Mount Pleasant

In a letter signed at the Dec. 6 Village Board meeting, trustees are giving the Village of Mount Pleasant a choice of staffing or a lower payment for South Shore Fire Department services.

At the Nov. 29 Sturtevant Committee Meeting, South Shore Fire Chief William Bouma and Battalion Chief Jon Kaiser gave trustees a presentation that spelled out how the department will be staffed in 2012 and 2013 per the . In short, there will be 12 staff members on duty at all times; one, three-man crew at each of the four stations, including Franksville, which Mount Pleasant shares with Caledonia.

In a nutshell, Sturtevant is telling to either return Sturtevant fire personnel staffing to the number listed in the consolidation agreement of 2009 -  two crews of three at all times - or Sturtevant will not pay the full share of their 2012 payment, which comes to $1,156,690.

"Our village entered this agreement in good faith with the total understanding that they would take the lead," said Village President Steve Jansen. "We're not looking to point fingers or play the blame game, we just want them to fulfill the agreement."

In the letter, trustees write, "In 2009, Sturtevant was informed by the Mt. Pleasant Administrator that the failure to fully staff the Sturtevant Station was a temporary situation due to unexpected workers compensation issues and a 2009 budget crisis in Mt. Pleasant. It is no longer a temporary matter and the over all operational capabilities of South Shore are being further diminished by 2012 budget decisions in Mt. Pleasant."

Further, Sturtevant trustees say that both villages have been impacted by the state's budget. And while it isn't written in the letter, it could be implied that despite their budget contraints, Sturtevant was fully prepared to make its full payment for 2012. Now, though, unless staffing levels are returned to the 2009 levels, Sturtevant will not fulfill its 2012 payment.

William Miller, president of the South Shore fire union, said in order to meet the staffing levels Sturtevant asks for, South Shore would need three additional fire fighters.

"The best option for Mount Pleasant is to hire three new personnel," he said "The $200,000 in concessions for 2012 would fund 2-1/4 staff members so there is money there."

In 2010 and 2011, Miller added, the department was short-staff and Sturtevant still paid its full amount. South Shore took 3,001 calls in 2009 and is expected to take 3,665 calls in 2011.

"It's potentially dangerous for residents and for personnel," he said. "Response times go up, there are more calls to answer with fewer people, and that isn't good for anyone."

Sturtevant's letter goes on to say that because staffing does not meet those listed in the 2009 agreement, the village feels a return to the payment of just over $1 million from 2009 would be appropriate. In the spirit of cooperation, however, the village will pay at the 2010 level, which was about $1,060,000 "unless and until Sturtevant is satisfied that its concerns as expressed in this letter are being addressed."

Finally, Sturtevant trustees close their letter by stating, "Sturtevant  has supported and continues to support the South Shore Fire Department. We encourage Mt. Pleasant to discuss with Sturtevant how the above described deficiencies can be remedied for the benefit of both communities."