No decision in Woonsocket budget battle

Providence (WPRI) - A court battle continues, over whether the city of Woonsocket should be allowed to layoff firefighters, to help overcome a $3.5 million budget shortfall.

The city claims it simply can no longer afford 18 firefighters, and that operating without them will not affect public safety.

"I think everyone would like to continue with what we have," says Joel Mathews, Woonsocket's Executive Director of Planning and Developments.  "But if you can't afford it, if you can't pay for it, then you're forced to look for concessions or now layoffs."

But Edward Roy,  the attorney representing the firefighters' union, tells us staffing cuts could put people's lives in jeopardy.

"We think that any layoffs are going to place a burden on the remaining firefighters, in terms of the potential for forced overtime which increases the stress on the firefighters, which might to additional injuries and possibly worse."

The two sides are due back in court on Friday.  A decision is expected on Monday.