OBSERVER Photo The Silver Creek Fire Department and Emergency Squad responded to 542 calls in 2024. Last week, it was called to Save a Lot for a fire in the attic section.

SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Fire Department and Emergency Squad blew past 500 calls on the year with a month of December that featured 40 calls, including 30 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls.

In all, there were 542 calls responded to in 2024, including 360 EMS calls. On average, more than 45 calls were received per month, with an average of 30 EMS calls per month. December was the seventh month of the year with 30 or more EMS calls.

The month of December included two structure fires, which brought the yearly total to 13. Three motor vehicle accidents were responded to in the month of December, which brought the yearly total to 56. At least one motor vehicle accident was responded to in every month of 2024.

Mayor Jeff Hornburg said of the Fire Department and the Emergency Squad, “We appreciate everything that they do.”

The Fire Protection Contract between the Village of Silver Creek and the Town of Hanover is expected to be approved at the next regular meeting of the Village Board following review of counsel.

The Village Board did, however, approve the agreement between the Village, the Town of Hanover, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office for enhanced police protection. The total contract amount for 2025 is $602,268.47, split evenly between Hanover and Silver Creek.

The Village Board also approved an animal holding agreement with Eden Veterinary Clinic, effective Jan. 1, as well as a contract with the Chautauqua County Humane Society for the care of canines.

Also of note, a budget transfer of $200,227 from the equipment replacement reserve fund was authorized for the purchase of a vehicle last May.

Brianna Griewisch was appointed as acting Supervisor of the Department of Public Works from Jan. 2 through the end of April in place of Bob Bankoski, who spends the winter out of state. Other appointments and assignments made by Hornburg were also approved at the recent meeting.

Hornburg commended village employees for their efforts addressing a recent water main break on Hanover Road. A 10-inch water main break led to approximately nine hours of work to shut down and repair the issue, with the help of S. St. George Enterprises. Hornburg also commended the Department of Public Works for its efforts with snow removal during the month of December. Hornburg estimated roughly five feet of snow fell in the village during the month due to multiple storms.

The next Mobile Food Pantry event, sponsored by the Silver Creek Food Pantry, the Village of Silver Creek, and Feedmore WNY, will be on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the village municipal parking lot. The event is free of charge to residents of Silver Creek and other nearby communities.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Village Board is set for Feb. 3 following the cancellation of the Jan. 20 regular meeting in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.