TUPPER LAKE – The village will install security cameras in the fire station, a move prompted by an alleged report of vandalism to a firetruck by a fire department member. Whether or not the act occurred is now in question.

Immediately following the Sept. 21 village board meeting, members convened into executive session. Trustees Ron LaScala and Thomas Snyder said fire Chief Carl Steffen and Trustee David “Haji” Maroun informed the board a fire department member intentionally deflated the tires on one of the fire trucks the previous Sunday morning. In response, the board agreed to the install cameras, LaScala said.

Mayor Paul Maroun is dispelling talk that this was vandalism and said it is an over-reaction.

The morning after the closed door executive meeting, he called to the village office members of the fire department who explained the deflation was accidental and was caused by using the wrong fitting on the compressor when actually trying to inflate the tires.

“I think the fire chief got a little excited about what happened,” the mayor said. “He made it sound like there was a possibility of vandalism, but I called in five firemen who work on the trucks and they assured me this was not the case. If done incorrectly, more air leaves than comes in, which is what they say happened. I don’t think there is an issue. But to avoid any confusion in the future, cameras are the answer,” he said.

Steffen denies he called the tire deflation vandalism.

“I did find the tires to be low on Sunday, but I could not say it was vandalism. I have no proof,” he said to the Enterprise this week.

He said he was fine with adding security cameras.

“The only people who would have a problem with it are those who are doing something wrong,” he said.

Steffen and the mayor said the cameras were originally part of the plan when building the now one-year-old emergency services building on Santa Clara Avenue that holds both fire and police. But to save money, they were scrapped. “Haji” Maroun said there are already cameras there in the police department and at the entrances.

“Cameras are standard now. It’s the way to go,” he said.

LaScala said he still believes it was intentional.

“No one has told me otherwise,” he said. “And why would we be spending upwards of $7,000 and discussing it in executive session if it was accidental? Five tires do not deflate themselves overnight. It’s proof of a culture of cover-up in the department.”

As to why a member of the fire department would want to deflate the tires on purpose is still unknown, LaScala said, adding that the department has wanted a new truck and heard some members wanted to “beat on” a truck to prove a new one was needed. But why a truck that members purchased befuddles him.

The mayor said that simply does not make sense.

“Why would they want to ruin a truck that they purchased?” Mayor Maroun asked.

There has been some theft in the fire department over the years, Mayor Maroun said, and pointed to the arrest last May of the fire department’s former treasurer.

“Chief Steffen has tightened up procedures and put that to rest,” he said.

Timothy Brown was sentenced to five years of probation with the first 180 days in the Franklin County Jail after admitting he stole roughly $30,000 from the department.

“There are always a few bad apples in the orchard, but because of this, every little incident is made into something more,” he said. “Overall, we have a great department with well-trained firefighters, with an outstanding call response rate.”

Village Police Chief Eric Proulx said this week that his department will look into whether the deflation was a mechanical failure or an act of vandalism. The investigation should take a couple of weeks to complete, he said.

In the meantime, three security companies are preparing proposals, including cost estimates for the village to consider for the cameras. Village clerk Mary Casagrain believes the estimates will come in well under $10,000.