Town of Elma

ELMA CONSIDERS IMPROVING PENSION PROGRAM FOR FIREFIGHTERS:

Elma officials decided to look into improving the town's pension program for volunteer firefighters at a work session Wednesday evening.

Supervisor Michael Nolan said the town needs a post-entitlement program to retain younger volunteers. It would allow firemen 65 and older to continue as firefighters while collecting from their pensions.

The current fire service award program that started in 1992 under former Supervisor John DiJoseph, with Nolan's help, called for a limit of a $400 donation by the town for each eligible firemen with a cap of 20 years of service.

"We need to extend the program to help these younger firemen stay with the fire companies," Nolan said. "This extension will also help prevent any age discrimination suits [such] as other towns across the state are dealing with."