Missouri Fire District Settles Open Meetings Violation

Posted by: Curt Varone December 25, 2010 0

The troubled Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District in Missouri is one step closer to solving the various legal disputes that have plagued it for the past few years. Formerly the Normandy Fire Protection District, Northeast was charged with violating the state’s open meetings law. The district serves a population of 45,000 residents in an area in St. Louis County.

In 2009, the fire district’s assets were frozen while state and Federal authorities investigated financial and other irregularities (see the video below).  Two months ago, a former board member and fire chief pled guilty to violating the Clear Air Act by removing asbestos containing tiles from a fire station.

The open records violation suit was filed on July 2, 2009 in St. Louis County Circuit by attorney general’s office.  Under the settlement, Northeast was fined $5,000, but $4,000 is suspended provided the district complies with  the terms of the settlement agreement. More on the story.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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