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Hillsdale may pay fire fee hikes
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| The intersection of County Routes 7 and 21C in Hillsdale near the Hillsdale/Austerlitz town border just outside of Harlemville is an area covered by the Philmont Fire Protection District which wants to raise Hillsdale's fire tax nearly 400 percent. Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers |
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Hillsdale homeowners who live within the Philmont Fire Protection District may find themselves paying considerably more for fire protection services next year — about four times the current 2009 rate.
The proposed fire protection contract for 2010 includes an annual cost increase from $17,000 per year to $72,830.
The Philmont fire district covers about nine square miles of Hillsdale with 186 properties. The same district also covers 5.1 square miles with 190 properties in Claverack. The village of Philmont is also covered; protection is provided by the Philmont Fire Department.
The areas “have not had a formal fire protection contract for quite awhile,” according to Anthony Buono, the attorney hired by the village of Philmont to prepare the 2010 fire protection contracts.
“What I looked at for the village was the tax rates they were collecting from Hillsdale and Claverack. It turns out that the amount of money they were collecting from Claverack resulted in a tax rate of 95 cents per $1,000, and Hillsdale’s fire protection district were only paying 28 cents per $1,000, which is the second lowest rate in the county,” Buono said.
“What we propose to do is equal out the rates between Claverack and Hillsdale, which means a dramatic increase in Hillsdale’s rate,” Buono said. “Hillsdale’s discounted ride is essentially over.”
“We need the increase to pay for everything we have,” said Philmont Mayor Clarence “Skip” Speed. “We’ve held off on them for a number of years now. Claverack has been raised up. Philmont residents have been raised up. It seems only fair to raise Hillsdale up to keep them all equal.”
Hillsdale is holding a public hearing on the proposed fire protection contract at the Hillsdale Town Hall 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20.
“It’s a huge increase, and the town is in discussion with other fire companies contiguous to this area for a possible alternative with signing an agreement with Philmont again,” Hillsdale Supervisor Art Baer said.
“My job as town supervisor is to make sure the residents are protected by a legitimate fire protection service, and to make sure they’re getting the best possible service for the least amount of money to them...ultimately, it’s the decision of the town board, but for me it’s going to be a reflection of what the residents of that area feel about it.”
Baer said the fire protection district covers 10 to 12 percent of town residents. He said it might be possible to divide the district up between other districts bordering the area, including Spencertown, Ghent, Craryville and Hillsdale.
“It’s nothing personal,” Baer said. “I feel obligated as a town supervisor to represent my residents and see if there isn’t a lower cost alternative.”
“I think they will find that the other options are comparable to what we’re asking,” Buono said. “You don’t want the cheapest fire district. You want the fastest fire district, especially when it’s your house that’s on fire.
“There’s no way Hillsdale, or Craryville, or Spencertown could provide fire protection as good as Philmont, for the length of time it would be required for them to respond out there.”
Buono added that Hillsdale also owes the district for two years of payment into the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP); $9,700 for 2007, and $9,700 for 2008. LOSAP provides tax-deferred income benefits to active volunteer members of emergency service organizations.
The income for LOSAP programs comes from contributions made by the governing body of a given fire district; in this case, the governing body is the Philmont Village Board.
“We’ll see what feedback we get,” said Baer. “By that time, I hope to know whether we have other fire companies that would be interested in working with us.”
If he can’t find a lower cost alternative, “then maybe we’re going to have to accept their proposal,” he said. “Right now, we’re willing to entertain alternative arrangements.”
“What we’re looking to do is just have them pay the same thing,” said Buono. “We want to explain that this is about fairness.”
Buono is expected to attend Hillsdale’s public hearing Oct. 20.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
The proposed fire protection contract for 2010 includes an annual cost increase from $17,000 per year to $72,830.
The Philmont fire district covers about nine square miles of Hillsdale with 186 properties. The same district also covers 5.1 square miles with 190 properties in Claverack. The village of Philmont is also covered; protection is provided by the Philmont Fire Department.
The areas “have not had a formal fire protection contract for quite awhile,” according to Anthony Buono, the attorney hired by the village of Philmont to prepare the 2010 fire protection contracts.
“What I looked at for the village was the tax rates they were collecting from Hillsdale and Claverack. It turns out that the amount of money they were collecting from Claverack resulted in a tax rate of 95 cents per $1,000, and Hillsdale’s fire protection district were only paying 28 cents per $1,000, which is the second lowest rate in the county,” Buono said.
“What we propose to do is equal out the rates between Claverack and Hillsdale, which means a dramatic increase in Hillsdale’s rate,” Buono said. “Hillsdale’s discounted ride is essentially over.”
“We need the increase to pay for everything we have,” said Philmont Mayor Clarence “Skip” Speed. “We’ve held off on them for a number of years now. Claverack has been raised up. Philmont residents have been raised up. It seems only fair to raise Hillsdale up to keep them all equal.”
Hillsdale is holding a public hearing on the proposed fire protection contract at the Hillsdale Town Hall 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20.
“It’s a huge increase, and the town is in discussion with other fire companies contiguous to this area for a possible alternative with signing an agreement with Philmont again,” Hillsdale Supervisor Art Baer said.
“My job as town supervisor is to make sure the residents are protected by a legitimate fire protection service, and to make sure they’re getting the best possible service for the least amount of money to them...ultimately, it’s the decision of the town board, but for me it’s going to be a reflection of what the residents of that area feel about it.”
Baer said the fire protection district covers 10 to 12 percent of town residents. He said it might be possible to divide the district up between other districts bordering the area, including Spencertown, Ghent, Craryville and Hillsdale.
“It’s nothing personal,” Baer said. “I feel obligated as a town supervisor to represent my residents and see if there isn’t a lower cost alternative.”
“I think they will find that the other options are comparable to what we’re asking,” Buono said. “You don’t want the cheapest fire district. You want the fastest fire district, especially when it’s your house that’s on fire.
“There’s no way Hillsdale, or Craryville, or Spencertown could provide fire protection as good as Philmont, for the length of time it would be required for them to respond out there.”
Buono added that Hillsdale also owes the district for two years of payment into the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP); $9,700 for 2007, and $9,700 for 2008. LOSAP provides tax-deferred income benefits to active volunteer members of emergency service organizations.
The income for LOSAP programs comes from contributions made by the governing body of a given fire district; in this case, the governing body is the Philmont Village Board.
“We’ll see what feedback we get,” said Baer. “By that time, I hope to know whether we have other fire companies that would be interested in working with us.”
If he can’t find a lower cost alternative, “then maybe we’re going to have to accept their proposal,” he said. “Right now, we’re willing to entertain alternative arrangements.”
“What we’re looking to do is just have them pay the same thing,” said Buono. “We want to explain that this is about fairness.”
Buono is expected to attend Hillsdale’s public hearing Oct. 20.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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