The Elora and Fergus Volunteer Firefighters Associations and Deborah Alles have reached a settlement agreement with the township in the death of fire captain John Alles.
Deborah Alles is the administrator of the estate of her late husband.
The township announced on May 10 an agreement had been reached and the township and the other two groups have resolved all their disputes related to complaints regarding the provision of group life insurance benefits for volunteer firefighters in Centre Wellington.
Chief administrative officer Michael Wood said in an interview the agreement was reached following a mediation process and that all of the parties are pleased with the results of the settlement.
Wood was asked the amount of the settlement in the death of John Alles and he replied, “I can’t speak to that,” and explained confidentiality is part of the agreement.
Alles suffered a heart attack on July 20, 2011 – around the same time there was a call for firefighters on his pager. Firefighters later discovered $100,000 in life insurance had been removed from their benefits and few seemed to know when that occurred.
Wood said there are still talks taking place between the Alles estate and the township’s insurance company. He noted the estate is still in dispute with the Volunteer Firemen Insurance Service.
The parties stated in a joint press release, “At this time, the firefighters and the township wish to also recognize the 27 years of service and dedication to the community by the late Captain John Alles of the Elora Station and they send their continued respect and thoughts to his family and friends.”
