Borough Council VP Speck Calls West End Allegations 'Malicious'

At Tuesday’s borough council meeting, a visibly agitated vice president Michael Speck said he was “deeply offended” by the tone and the content of a letter the West End Fire Company submitted to Phoenixville Patch late last month.

In the letter, which was published on Patch on October 25, the fire company’s board of directors alleged that owing to council’s actions “the borough’s ability to provide fire service has been seriously compromised in the last decade.”

The letter came on the heels of the council’s unanimous decision at its October 9 meeting to take bids for a new EMS provider. The council cited dissatisfaction with the job West End had done in that capacity.

Speck, speaking from his seat during the November 13 meeting, said it was “ill advised and irresponsible” for the fire company to suggest “the community’s safety and health were put in danger” by the borough.

“[It’s] malicious to make such a statement,” Speck said, adding that the council makes decisions based on “fact and due diligence.”

Speck added that new EMS bids will be reviewed by the borough in January and a decision to appoint will be made in Febuary.