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McGivney wants to cut fire contract with Stuy'
By Paul Crossman
Hudson/Catskill Newspapers
In response to Stuyvesant’s recent decision not to renew their Contract for Protection with the Village of Kinderhook, Town Supervisor Doug McGivney has made his own proposal to the Town Board to discontinue a similar contract that Stuyvesant Falls has with the Town of Kinderhook. The plan, according to the Supervisor, would be to then arrange fire protection with the Village of Kinderhook for the same amount, covering the loss of funds and benefiting the taxpayers of the village.
The Town’s contract with Stuyvesant Falls is for $9,000 a year and covers town property along Routes 9H and 25. In a letter to the Town Board, McGivney says that he has been in contact with leaders of the Kinderhook Village Fire Department, who have been in agreement with the idea and assured him that they can safely protect the area in question.
“I’m making this recommendation to the board because Stuyvesant is taking a very parochial attitude,” McGivney told the Register-Star, “and the idea of going to the town borders should be worked out ahead of time for the safety of all our citizens. To make such a decision unilaterally doesn’t make sense to me.”
The issue started when Village of Kinderhook Mayor William VanAlstyne received a letter from the Board of Commissioners of the Stuyvesant Fire District stating that the town would not be renewing their Contract for Protection with the Village of Kinderhook. This means that the responsibility to protect all of Eichybush Road, and parts of Hollow, Wilkins and Sunset roads will now fall on the Stuyvesant Fire department, which according to Mayor VanAlstyne could result in longer response times.
The letter states the decision was based on economic reasons only —Stuyvesant paid the Village of Kinderhook about $6,000 a year to cover part of their district — but Mayor VanAlstyne and the Kinderhook Village Board members said that $6,000 is a small price to pay for the safety of the residents and their property.
But VanAlstyne doesn’t think that this is necessarily the best course of action, and says the village isn’t interested in such a proposal now, though they may consider it in the future.
“We’ll look at all our options,” he said, “but again, the priority is what’s in the best interests of the people in the fire districts right now. I’m just hoping that cooler heads prevail with the fire commissioners and that they reassess the situation for the safety of the people and the property in the affected area.”
The Kinderhook Town Board will vote on McGivney’s proposal 7 p.m. Monday.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
The Town’s contract with Stuyvesant Falls is for $9,000 a year and covers town property along Routes 9H and 25. In a letter to the Town Board, McGivney says that he has been in contact with leaders of the Kinderhook Village Fire Department, who have been in agreement with the idea and assured him that they can safely protect the area in question.
“I’m making this recommendation to the board because Stuyvesant is taking a very parochial attitude,” McGivney told the Register-Star, “and the idea of going to the town borders should be worked out ahead of time for the safety of all our citizens. To make such a decision unilaterally doesn’t make sense to me.”
The issue started when Village of Kinderhook Mayor William VanAlstyne received a letter from the Board of Commissioners of the Stuyvesant Fire District stating that the town would not be renewing their Contract for Protection with the Village of Kinderhook. This means that the responsibility to protect all of Eichybush Road, and parts of Hollow, Wilkins and Sunset roads will now fall on the Stuyvesant Fire department, which according to Mayor VanAlstyne could result in longer response times.
The letter states the decision was based on economic reasons only —Stuyvesant paid the Village of Kinderhook about $6,000 a year to cover part of their district — but Mayor VanAlstyne and the Kinderhook Village Board members said that $6,000 is a small price to pay for the safety of the residents and their property.
But VanAlstyne doesn’t think that this is necessarily the best course of action, and says the village isn’t interested in such a proposal now, though they may consider it in the future.
“We’ll look at all our options,” he said, “but again, the priority is what’s in the best interests of the people in the fire districts right now. I’m just hoping that cooler heads prevail with the fire commissioners and that they reassess the situation for the safety of the people and the property in the affected area.”
The Kinderhook Town Board will vote on McGivney’s proposal 7 p.m. Monday.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
scorpian wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:04 PM:
" This rivalry between these fraternities is getting really annoying. A little less tertosterone and territorialism is needed here. Taxpayers deserve the best protection available - period. "
S Montie 44 wrote on Oct 23, 2009 11:01 AM:
" The town board did not create this mess and a change in board members will not make a difference. And taxpayers will get the best protection Period.......... "
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stonepound wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:09 PM: