This will be regarding the possible formation of a Joint Fire District between the Town of Amity and the Village of Belmont. Your attendance is encouraged if you are a property owner in the Town or Village.
Background - provided by Belmont Fire
How the current fire protection system works:
The Village of Belmont owns the Belmont Fire Department. The
Town of Amity contracts (pays) the Village of Belmont for fire protection. The
Belmont Fire Company Inc. (all volunteer, non-profit) operates the Belmont Fire
Department. Currently the Town of Amity (the taxpayers) have no say in the day
to day operations of Fire Department. The tax payers in the town fund the
majority of the Fire Department expenses, however the tax payers in the village
pay more per thousand.
What is being proposed:
A Joint Fire District that is formed by the Village of
Belmont and the Town of Amity. The new Joint Fire District then becomes the
municipal entity that operates fire service. All users pay an equalized amount
for service, meaning taxes are levied equally over the whole district. The
Joint Fire District has direct voter oversight. The Belmont Fire Company Inc.
will continue to provide personnel, (nothing changes for the fire company).
Advantages of forming a Joint Fire District:
1) It’s in the best interest of the residents to eliminate
differing tax rates; rate is based on combined assessed valuation. All
residents within the District will pay the same rate.
2) Tax levies by the fire district will free up town or
village property tax revenues
3) Fire protection tax levy no longer applies to town or
village real property tax cap
4) Consistent and stable budget for the fire district will
allow the department to implement long range planning and purchases.
5) Eliminates the instability of funding from year to year
due to annual negotiations with different jurisdictions which may be
financially stressed due to the tax cap.
6) Provides transparency as they operate under state laws
and regulations for governance under the watchful eye of the Office of the
State Comptroller.
7) Provides for self governance, positive morale and a focal
point of responsibility.
8) District is an individual governmental entity, governed
by state laws.
9) Provides stable governance and management, not subject to
the fiscal pressures of others
10) Can concentrate on the sole mission the provision of
fire protection
11) Village and Town politics removed from fire district
governance and operations.
12) The State has greater oversight over fire districts
unlike village controlled departments or fire protection districts, there is
increased accountability. That includes annual audits and a host of regulations
laid out in state statute.
13) All voters would have greater influence over fire
protection spending by electing commissioners and voting on all debt incurred.
14) Budget accountability, separate from town or village,
taxpayers see where money is going
15) Fire Districts may establish taxpayer approved reserve
funds.
16) Districts save on interest costs by use of reserve funds
for large purchases.
17) Creates a legal mechanism for residents to participate
in capital project referendums
18) Fire protection managed by local publicly elected
officials who complete specialized training course and concentrate on providing
one service to the community.
Why is a Joint Fire District vital for the community?
• The cost of fire apparatus and equipment has inflated at
such a significant rate in recent years that the tax levy and contract
increases have not kept pace.
• Without an increase in fire protection revenue, the
ability of the fire department to provide adequate funding for, up to date
training and modern up to date equipment WILL BE COMPROMISED.
• The Town of Amity currently funds approximately 62% of the
overall “budget” for the Fire Department
• The Town of Amity residents currently have no
representation when it comes to the day to day operations and general business
of the fire department.
• A Joint Fire District will give the tax payers the
representation that they deserve.
• Without the formation of a Joint Fire District, The
Village of Belmont will have no other option than to increase the contract cost
with The Town of Amity for fire protection. While leaving The Town of Amity
residents with no representation on fire department operations.
• The increase in fire protection revenue needed to maintain
adequate fire protection WILL NOT fall within the 2% tax cap.
• Since the Town of Amity formed a fire protection district
on July 9th 1944, they are required to continue ensuring fire protection is
maintained in the protection district - “Town Law 184 (1)”
• By creating a Joint Fire District, the Town no longer is
responsible for fire protection. That is done by the Fire District with direct
voter oversight and control.
