Patrick Callahan is a mediator hired by the City of Brighton amidst the 28E Agreement dispute regarding the Brighton Volunteer Fire Department. Callahan met with city officials, members of the department, and representatives from the townships they serve in a public meeting on Tuesday, January 10.

The primary dispute has centered around a proposed fire advisory board. An agreement drawn up by the trustees would give said board power to settle funding disputes, however Callahan was unsure on the legality of the matter. Instead, Callahan wrote up his own agreement, which he provided to the parties involved. John Gish, who is representing the townships explains, “Mr. Callahan presented a 28E agreement he put together. He combined the 28E the trustees put to the city with standard 28E agreements.”

Callahan’s proposal would include an advisory board, but recommended that budgeting authority remain with the Brighton City Council. The next stage of the process has not been determined. As Gish remarked, “Essentially it’s going to come down to are we going to continue negotiations, are we going to agree with it, or are we going to look elsewhere.”

No further actions were taken during the session, as Callahan’s recommendations are reviewed by the involved parties.