JOHNSTOWN - The Fulton County Sheriff's Department's fire-damaged boat was discarded at the county landfill late last year.
On Monday, the Board of Supervisors voted to formally authorize disposal of the 1994 Boston Whaler and its accessories, even though they already were taken to the landfill.
The boat was used by the department to patrol the county's major lakes.
The county board also authorized disposal of related equipment, including a radio, binoculars, light bar with accessories and 10 life vests.
The county had acquired the boat in 1995. It was destroyed by fire while being drydocked July 10 at Cranberry Cove Marina in Mayfield.
County Administrative Officer Jon Stead told the board Sheriff Thomas Lorey "actually bartered an arrangement" with Alpin Haus in Amsterdam, which got rid of the boat and other fire-damaged items at the landfill. The company kept the boat trailer and fire-damaged outboard motor in the deal, Monday's resolution indicated.
"We don't typically barter for stuff like that," Stead said. "This is a little unusual."
Lorey told the Finance Committee in December the 22-foot sheriff's boat was on a trailer in drydock when the fire was sparked by an electrical problem. He said his department owed Alpin Haus $107 for repairs it did on the department's personal watercraft, and he bartered to get that debt forgiven. He said Alpin Haus wrote off the county bill and took possession of the boat, most of which was discarded by Alpin Haus at the landfill. Alpin Haus kept the engine and trailer.
Three supervisors voted against disposal of the boat, including Johnstown 3rd Ward Supervisor Jack Callery, who said Tuesday he didn't agree with the way Lorey handled the situation.
"Basically, I was upset they didn't come to us first to get permission," Callery said.
The county's insurance company -the New York State Municipal Insurance Reciprocal - adjusted the county's claim and determined the boat and related accessories were a total loss. The Sheriff's Department received a $17,414 check, which Lorey said will be used to repair his department's 19-foot boat, which has a bad engine.
Lorey recently told supervisors he won't continue regular boat patrols on the county's major lakes.
He said Monday that decision has "something to do with" the fire, but mostly with supervisors cutting two deputy positions and one investigator position from his budget late last year.