ANDOVER — A shouting match ended a mutual aid meeting yesterday morning — a strong indication of the growing frustration and pressure Lawrence's understaffed Fire Department is putting on the Merrimack Valley and beyond.
"How does a control board fix this problem?" state Rep. David Torrisi, D-North Andover, loudly asked state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, before accusing him of being "disingenuous."
Before Tarr could answer, Andover fire Chief Michael Mansfield stood up and abruptly brought the 90-minute meeting to an end. State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and nearly 100 fire chiefs, firefighters, local and state leaders, and political candidates attended.
The meeting was called to discuss alternatives to Lawrence's increasing dependence on mutual aid after 23 city firefighters were laid off July 7. In the past month, 14 fire departments have rushed to Lawrence's aid costing their communities more than $24,000.
"But this can't continue without some resolution," Coan said yesterday.
In the end, most agreed that the problems with the city's reliance on mutual aid can only be solved within the borders of Lawrence.
"The mutual aid issue is a symptom of a greater problem. The city cannot afford the (firefighters') contract. It's not that they don't deserve it or work hard," said Lawrence City Councilor Daniel Rivera. "We are Lawrence. We can't afford these contracts."
For months, Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua and city firefighters have been unable to come together at the table and discuss concessions to save jobs. Lantigua went to the meeting yesterday carrying copies of the firefighters' contracts, which he said include perks firefighters in other communities don't receive.
"It will make you sick to your stomach," Lantigua said. "What we are telling you is a reality. We have no money."
But state Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, said when it comes to Lantigua and the Fire Department, something has to give.
"These two should be in a room for the next two weeks together," said Baddour of Lantigua and Patrick Driscoll, Lawrence fire union president, who also attended yesterday's meeting.
"Go sit in a room and solve the problem. It's up to you two to get it done," Baddour said. "We get that there's a problem."
Lantigua later said he would call Driscoll and personally extend an invitation to meet one-on-one. Driscoll said he would meet with the mayor privately, if he actually follows through with the offer.
Firefighters last week said they would consider forgoing a scheduled 3.5 percent raise if the city rehired the 23 laid off firefighters. Lantigua said giving up the $250,000 needed for the raises would save 4 or maybe 5 firefighter jobs.
A state union official said the city needs to find money for the firefighters — not have them give up what they've earned over the years.
Robert McCarthy, president of Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, pointed to the cities of Springfield and Chelsea, noting both received multimillion-dollar cash infusions during troubled times.
In March, Lawrence received legislative approval to borrow up to $35 million to fix the city's troubled finances. City leaders borrowed $24 million last year to pay off a deficit from the past three years. They now plan to borrow $4 million this year to balance the $72 million municipal budget.
"I don't blame the mayor. This is not his fault. He can't manage his way out of this situation," McCarthy said. McCarthy also called on Gov. Deval Patrick to help the city.
But state Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, said firefighters "need to show good faith." Even if concessions bring back five firefighters, "that will cut into overtime costs."
Asking for one-time funding will only "kick" the Fire Department's issues "further down the road," she said.
While yesterday's meeting wasn't intended for bickering over management and union issues, Mansfield said the group shouldn't meet again until some kind of an accord is reached in Lawrence.
"They need to make some great strides in the negotiating process," Mansfield said.
Tarr suggested adding a mediator to negotiations.
"Clearly the standoff has affected public safety in the region," he said.
