Times Telegram
A complaint by a now former village employee has led to a shakeup in the Ilion Fire Department, according to Ilion Mayor Brian Lamica.
He said in a news release that changes have been made to the department’s command structure “with the goal of maintaining service and timely responses to calls.”
The deputy chiefs are currently in charge of the department, Lamica said in response to an email. The department had been led by Tom Pedersen, who was appointed chief in 2019 after working his way up through the ranks during 24 years as a paid firefighter. He also served as the village codes officer. There is currently a restructuring plan in place to address the codes position, according to the mayor.
Steele Creek has overflowed its banks at the bridge multiple times.
In January of 2018, an ice jam caused the water from the creek to spill over and send water and ice chunks into nearby backyards and down village streets, although that incident caused no major damage. That was not always the case. In the June 2013 flood, the bridge itself was damaged when the head wall was blown out into the road. It was later repaired.
DOT will have to obtain right-of-way from the owners of six properties along Otsego Street, most to provide access as needed to replace the Route 51 bridge, according to Jim Piccola, public information officer for DOT.