(From left) Secretary Lorri Munson, Robert Price, Lory Buccola, Chairman Don Mowry, Cory Lauffenburger. (Absent Donald Sparling).

FREWSBURG – A host of firefighters and EMTs from the town of Carroll have alleged inappropriate behavior from members on the Carroll Fire Commissioners board.

Several firefighters and EMTs aired their concerns to Carroll Town Board members during the board’s January meeting. Multiple individuals presented issues to the town officials, with some even mentioning having consulted legal counsel on the matter. Some said they’re considering leaving the department.

At the town board meeting on Jan. 14, Christopher Lynn, fire department trustee, was the first to take the microphone and state the concerns to the Town Board. Lynn said there have been numerous problems within the fire hall which, in accordance with the bylaws, have been brought to the attention of the commissioners board. Lynn stated that rather than handling the situations, the commissioners have forced the department to attempt to handle the issues. Lisa Piazza, another department member and volunteer EMT, said concerns that are being brought up not only pose a safety risk to town residents but could push five of the eight active EMTs to walk away. Town Supervisor Tim Burkett noted that the town does not have much authority over the matters, but would consult with Town Attorney Andy Goodell to see what can be done.

Justin Martin, former Frewsburg fire chief, said the issues seemed to have begun in 2021, where the first alleged instance of improper complaint handling occurred under Chief John Munson. Martin said when an issue of harassment was brought to Munson, and then was taken to the commissioners, the issue was nearly immediately directed back down to the fire company level and told to be handled by the trustees. According to Martin, the trustees were directed to the individual listed on the complaint and shared sensitive information from the report. This allegedly only worsened the harassment, with Martin stating that Munson would resign from the position after four months due to the increasing complaints.

Following Munson’s resignation, Martin stepped into the role of fire chief. During this time, Martin said he attempted to elevate two or three complaints to the commissioners board, all of which had little success.

Martin stated that one of the most recent events of unprofessionalism involved current president Kit Cusimano and Nick Niles. Martin stated that he witnessed an argument occurring between Cusimano and Niles in the engine bay. Upon noticing the disagreement, Martin claimed that Cusimano began yelling profanities and backed him into a corner. The incident led Martin to contact Carroll Police Department, which sent an officer to get a statement from Martin. The officer said the incident did not meet the qualifications to press a charge. Martin then brought the incident to Don Mowry, current chairman of the commissioners board. Martin stated that he was told that the issue was not a commissioners or district issue, and was once again directed by the commissioners to handle the issue at the company level.

There are also disagreements over changes to the election cycle for the position of fire chief. Due to the new interpretation of department bylaws, the commissioners board recently made the switch to hold the chief election every year rather than every two years. Representatives who coordinated the change want to hold a special election soon to comply with the change, stating that the requirement was not previously known. Those in opposition to the change, such as Martin, have a different believed reasoning for this change. Martin said that the change seems to be a retaliatory effort toward the current chief, Charles Piazza, something Martin said could be because Piazza is continuing Martin’s policies that include increasing accountability and more extensive regular training.

During the January town board meeting, the clear difference in opinions on the handling of the situations was shown. When asked by Councilman Paul Oyer if the commissioners had taken any action to solve these concerns, Lisa Piazza quickly responded “they haven’t”, while Daniel Sisson, Carroll water supervisor and former Frewsburg Fire Department president, stated “They have.”

Martin also expressed concern toward Sisson’s handling of the two percent foreign fire tax. The tax is money given to a district based on people’s residencies that are not in the state of New York and the insurance coverage of those out-of-state residences. Martin said since the district is a sole fire company, that money should go to the district and be utilized by the company. Martin said according to state Comptroller’s Office regulations, the money is supposed to benefit all members, membership is supposed to have a vote on the money’s handling, and the money is supposed to be accounted for each year through a report to the comptroller. Martin stated that many department members, including himself, were unaware of where this funding was going until recently. The district’s bylaws include the Frewsburg Fire Exempts Benevolent Association, which members can request to join after five years in the department. Martin noted the Frewsburg Fire Exempts Benevolent Association is where the foreign fire tax money is being directed to, yet said there is no actual reporting of the money that is received.

The two known individuals leading this association are a resident of Kennedy, as the association’s bank account is registered to 8 Munson Road, Kennedy, and Sisson. Martin also said the state requires that a benevolent association have articles of incorporation, an independent board of three, report to the state Attorney General each year, have a unique EIN number, and file as a non-profit. According to Martin, the IRS has been unable to find any articles of incorporation for the benevolent association.

The Post-Journal reached out to the Frewsburg Fire Commissioners for comment. Phone calls were not returned. The Post-Journal also reached out to Sisson, who has yet to comment on the concerns beyond what was said during the Town Board meeting.