Roger Hannigan is reporting in the Register-Star that the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Department has been working without a contract since Jan. 1. According to Ghent Town Supervisor Mike Benvenuto, the town and the volunteers have failed to come to an agreement because the fire department has not provided its budget and tax returns, as requested by town officials. Claverack is also served by the West Ghent and is also looking for the same information from the department. That town entered into a six-month contract to give the department time to get the needed financial information together, Claverack Town Supervisor Clifford Weigelt said. However, the Ghent Town Board offered a similar six-month arrangement in November, but the agreement was not ratified by the department. Benvenuto said he was aware the department was not happy about being offered a shorter contract. West Ghent Fire Department President Nick Tipple said he intends to contact the department's attorney before meeting with the town, and before speaking further about the matter. Read the full story in the Register-Star.