The Daily Herald has published another update on the ongoing discussions between the Village of Barrington and the Barrington & Countryside Fire Protection District (FPD). The conversation has taken a new turn, with the village pushing for more than just the rehiring of its laid-off firefighters — it’s now asking the fire district to offer significant signing bonuses as well.
This idea was first introduced in a letter sent by Barrington Village President Karen Darch to FPD President Tom Rowan on June 27. In addition to the bonus proposal, the letter also called for the approval of an automatic-aid agreement that would allow both agencies to respond to emergencies based on proximity to their nearest station.
Rowan acknowledged the letter but noted that his board hasn’t had time to fully review it yet. He said they plan to respond soon and are currently meeting to discuss candidates for the interim administrator position.
While Darch’s letter suggests a meeting between her and Rowan during the week of July 8, it raises concerns about the financial risk the village could face if any of the leased firefighters file for disability during the two-year lease period. The fire district, however, insists that their goal is to save jobs and retain the experience of the firefighters who would otherwise be laid off when the current contract expires in January.
According to Rowan, the district plans to hire additional personnel from a private firm, bringing the total number of firefighters to around 33. However, he admitted that the district can’t immediately offer pension benefits to the village’s current firefighters, who already receive them. Instead, the two-year lease is seen as a temporary solution while a long-term funding plan is developed, possibly involving a tax referendum.
The village hasn’t specified exactly how many firefighters will be affected, but fire district officials have emphasized that their aim is to ensure no one loses their job. Meanwhile, Barrington trustees are set to hear a consultant’s report on July 15, which recommends a restructuring of the village’s fire department in 2014.
The Barrington & Countryside FPD covers a large area of 48 square miles, including parts of Barrington Hills, Lake Barrington, South Barrington, Inverness, and unincorporated areas of Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties. For years, the district has relied on contracts with the village for fire and paramedic services, but tensions have risen after the village refused requests for more firefighters and equipment.
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