Macungie Council is the Scene of More Drama

Macungie Borough Council listened quietly at the Sept. 6 meeting as Fire Chief Michael Natysyn and Emergency Management Coordinator and David Boyko -- also a council member -- tossed about insults and accusations until Council President Guy Ramsey was forced to intervene.

Natysyn and Fire Department Captain Matthew Partenope disputed the comments Boyko made at council's Aug. 15 meeting during an executive session. In that session, they said, Boyko said he was concerned “about the Fire Department and firefighters lacking the skills and knowledge to fight fires because of their inexperience and lack of training.”

“When fire company members read this [Boyko’s comments in the minutes], it created somewhat of a turmoil.”

“We  wonder why he's always cutting up the fire department?” asked a seemingly irritated Natysyn.

Guy Ramsey, council president, explained to Natysyn and Partenope that Boyko, as the Emergency Management Coordinator, must follow certain guidelines making sure everyone is certified.  The purpose of Boyko's position, Ramsey said, is to provide a central point of contact at the local level in the event of an emergency. 

"It is a difficult role, especially when it involves a volunteer organization," Ramsey said.

“I think Dave’s frustration is that throughout the time he has been the Emergency Management Coordinator, we have been unable to establish that central point of contact and provide the emergency management plan that he is required to provide," Ramsey said.

Boyko explained he wants to see for himself that all personnel are certified.  The police department and ambulance corps have cooperated, he said, but Natysyn refuses to let him see the certificates.  “All I want is cooperation,” said Boyko.

“Your certifications are not in question.  Your commitment to this community is not in question,” Ramsey said.

But Partenope and Natysyn disagreed.

“According to the minutes, our certifications are in question,” they argued.

When Boyko was given the opportunity to speak, his first comment to Natysyn was in reference to the clothes Natysyn was wearing at the meeting: work clothes and boots from his job with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“You’re the fire chief.  Is that the outfit of the fire chief who represents the Borough of Macungie?” he snapped.

Natysyn fired back saying he just got off work and came straight to the meeting.

“You’re here representing an organization of Macungie—a professional organization—supposedly,” Boyko said.

Council member Jean Nagle questioned Boyko as to why he expects Natysyn to be in uniform saying, “We don’t expect others, like the police chief for example, to be in uniform. Why should he?”

Natysyn and Boyko began shouting at each other comparing qualifications, hurling accusations of misinformation about backgrounds and meetings, and accusing each other of mishandling emergency procedures during and after Hurricane Irene.

When Boyko suggested they get together with Borough Manager Chris Boehm to discuss procedures, Natysyn interrupted with, “No, we will not get together.”

Finally, Ramsey intervened.

“We’ll get to the bottom of this and resolve the matter,” he said.