Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Stuy' cuts fire contract with K'hook village
 |
| The Stuyvesant Fire Department on Route 26A has elected not to renew their contract of protection with the Village of Kinderhook, meaning that some houses may have a longer response time in the case of a fire. Paul Crossman/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers |
By Paul Crossman
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
According to a letter sent to village of Kinderhook Mayor William VanAlstyne, the Board of Commissioners of the Stuyvesant Fire District has voted not to renew their contract for protection with the village.
“While we appreciate the services that the Kinderhook Palmer Engine and Hose Fire Company has provided to our residents, it is an economic decision to not renew the contract,” the letter states.
Right now, the contract states that the village of Kinderhook’s fire department will provide protections to a district in Stuyvesant which contains all of Eichybush Road, as well as parts of Hollow, Wilkins and Sunset Roads. According to VanAlstyne, there is also a proposed development on Albany Avenue, and though the majority of this development will be in the town of Kinderhook, as the development fills, some houses will end up in Stuyvesant, and may also be affected.
The Kinderhook mayor is especially worried about this, as responders from the Stuyvesant Fire Department would actually have to drive through the Village of Kinderhook to respond to these houses, meaning a much longer response time for any fires.
The current contract will expire on Dec. 31, 2009, but Village Mayor William VanAlstyne feels that it is anything but an economic decision not to renew.
“There’s always mutual aid,” he told the Register-Star, “and certainly we will respond to any and all calls. But not being the first called could seriously delay the fire department response time. [...] I simply cannot believe that the economic decision they made is in the best interests of the people who live in that district.”
The mayor went on to say that the total amount being paid to Kinderhook by the Stuyvesant Fire Department was about $6,000, and that it seemed hard to believe the decision had been purely economical, as $6,000 seems such a small amount for the safety of the town’s community members.
Councilman Richard Phillips agreed, saying that he looked at the numbers and that the Stuyvesant Fire Department was still making money from the homes in the district, even after paying Kinderhook the $6,000.
“The fact of the matter is that they’re going to have to pay someone,” VanAlstyne told the Register-Star. “Whatever that difference is, it’s minuscule.”
Stuyvesant Town Supervisor Valerie Bertram declined to comment on the matter, saying only that it was being handled by the Fire Department. Stuyvesant Fire Commissioner Charles Stiffler could not be reached for comment.
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
“While we appreciate the services that the Kinderhook Palmer Engine and Hose Fire Company has provided to our residents, it is an economic decision to not renew the contract,” the letter states.
Right now, the contract states that the village of Kinderhook’s fire department will provide protections to a district in Stuyvesant which contains all of Eichybush Road, as well as parts of Hollow, Wilkins and Sunset Roads. According to VanAlstyne, there is also a proposed development on Albany Avenue, and though the majority of this development will be in the town of Kinderhook, as the development fills, some houses will end up in Stuyvesant, and may also be affected.
The Kinderhook mayor is especially worried about this, as responders from the Stuyvesant Fire Department would actually have to drive through the Village of Kinderhook to respond to these houses, meaning a much longer response time for any fires.
The current contract will expire on Dec. 31, 2009, but Village Mayor William VanAlstyne feels that it is anything but an economic decision not to renew.
“There’s always mutual aid,” he told the Register-Star, “and certainly we will respond to any and all calls. But not being the first called could seriously delay the fire department response time. [...] I simply cannot believe that the economic decision they made is in the best interests of the people who live in that district.”
The mayor went on to say that the total amount being paid to Kinderhook by the Stuyvesant Fire Department was about $6,000, and that it seemed hard to believe the decision had been purely economical, as $6,000 seems such a small amount for the safety of the town’s community members.
Councilman Richard Phillips agreed, saying that he looked at the numbers and that the Stuyvesant Fire Department was still making money from the homes in the district, even after paying Kinderhook the $6,000.
“The fact of the matter is that they’re going to have to pay someone,” VanAlstyne told the Register-Star. “Whatever that difference is, it’s minuscule.”
Stuyvesant Town Supervisor Valerie Bertram declined to comment on the matter, saying only that it was being handled by the Fire Department. Stuyvesant Fire Commissioner Charles Stiffler could not be reached for comment.
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| Ruth Farrell Bleau | Police allege scam, theft |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
bknights64 wrote on Oct 20, 2009 7:41 PM:
" Being an ex fire chief of Kinderhook Village, I know about response time.I feel heartly sorry for the people living outside of the villages and towns.To me money isn't an option for the time for emergency workers to get to your house.$6000 isn't alot to pay for the most logical choice in this matter.This is all about money and politics.It's not going to be nice to see lawers get involved when people can't get the response time they diserve. "
S Montie 44 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 9:34 PM:
" First i would like to say that the town board has nothing to do with the fire district . So Val can not do anything about it .Second i want you all to know that the district did this because of several reasons not just for $ 6,000. And your right its not alot of money bur it will pay for 3 sets of protective clothing for firefighters. Now the people in that area will be getting the same service as people in the rest of our district .And as chief of the stuyvesant fire co. i will go on to say that response time will not be an issue . It is not all about politcs either. Getting lawers involed ? that makes sense to me , for what to spend more money for nothing "
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
stonepound wrote on Oct 20, 2009 6:24 AM: