A second stand-off between elected officials and members of the Carnegie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Bureau is brewing in Carnegie.

Just like last year, members of the volunteer organization, which also includes a paid emergency medical service, stood Monday night against the back room of the borough council meeting room.

And, in another sign of a possible repeat performance, there were some obvious battle lines drawn.

Councilman Fred Carini accused his colleagues of "chasing the fire department out" by not giving it all of the promised funds for 2008. But other officials were quick to point out that council had advanced the fire department $40,000 in April but withheld two subsequent payments because the volunteers had not kept their end of the bargain.

"There was a game plan to assist you," said council President Bob Kollar, noting that the fire department was asked in June to address some of the findings of a special auditor hired to examine the organization's books.

"Five months later, we haven't had half of the items done," Mr. Kollar said.

Fire department President Jeff Scott argued that the only thing the volunteers failed to do was separate the fire department from the EMS.

"It ain't gonna happen," Mr. Scott said, adding the separation was only a recommendation.

Mr. Kollar disagreed, saying the funds from the two entities cannot be co-mingled. Councilwoman Sue Demko said that by law the borough cannot contribute taxpayer money to a money-making agency.

"It's not that we don't want to give you the money. We can't give money to something that makes money," she said.

But some members contended that the volunteer fire and rescue bureau and the paid EMS are both nonprofits. However, the EMS apparently loaned the volunteers between $280,000-$455,000 in 2003 to help build its fire headquarters on West Main Street. Fire Department Treasurer Brian Scott said some financial records were lost in the 2004 flood.

Mayor Emmett Freshwater was incensed that Mr. Kollar sent out a letter last month to Scott officials asking if they would be interested in providing fire protection to Carnegie.

"I knew nothing about it. It's like this letter was speaking for all on council," Mr. Freshwater said.

Deputy Solicitor Joe Lucas saw nothing wrong with the letter, noting Mr. Kollar was simply requesting information as council president.

But Mr. Kollar defended his action, stating, "I was speaking for the majority of council who asked me to send out the letter."

He went on to say that he and council Vice President Mike Sarsfield met with the fire department Sept. 30.

Mr. Sarsfield said Mr. Freshwater and Mr. Carini didn't know about the letter because they left the meeting early. Mr. Freshwater replied that follow-up phone calls would have been appreciated.

Councilwoman Dorothy Kelly said it is the borough's responsibility to provide fire protection for residents. However, she issued a plea for all elected officials to attend all meetings and pay attention.

"People that are on council should be at the meetings on time and stay for the whole meeting," she said.

Meanwhile, officials have asked the firemen to supply the proof of indebtedness on its newest fire truck so that it can comply with a $25,000 grant through the Char-West Council of Governments.