Fire chief Barnes’ pension bill passes Senate

July 20, 2009 | Oneonta Breaking News

A state bill that would allow Oneonta Fire Chief Robert Barnes to consolidate his retirement pensions from the city and county has passed the Senate, Jeff Bishop, a spokesman for Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, said Friday.
The bill awaits signing by Gov. David Paterson to become law.
Senate bill 867A allows the city of Oneonta to reopen the enrollment period and offer Barnes an optional 20-year retirement plan through the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System, a release from Seward said.
Barnes said he doesn’t know when he will retire, but the legislative approval increases options for him and his wife, Maggie. He worked 17 years for Otsego County and 19 years for the city as fire chief, he said Friday.
“Chief Barnes has served with distinction and honor, protecting our families, homes and businesses,” Seward in the release. “He has sacrificed a great deal to ensure the public safety, and I am proud to support him by ushering this legislation through the Senate.”
There is no financial cost to the state, the release said.