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Rosslyn area fire service seeks higher LOSAP to boost recruitment; trustees told referendum required
Summary
Representatives of the Rosslyn/Roslyn-area volunteer fire service asked Flower Hill trustees to support raising the LOSAP benefit to improve recruitment and retention, but trustees were told any change requires referenda across participating municipalities.
A representative of the Rosslyn/Roslyn‑area fire service, Rich Tocci, presented to the Board of Trustees on Oct. 6 seeking an increase to the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
Tocci said the department currently credits roughly 30 years of service at an earlier $20 per month benefit and asked the board to consider raising the monthly benefit to about $30 and allowing up to 50 years of creditable service. He cited state changes that allow longer service credit and higher benefit levels and described the evolving demands on volunteers, including more complex training and public‑safety responsibilities.
Trustees asked for clarification on costs and the decision process. Speaker 1 explained that Flower Hill approving an option is only the first step: the change must be approved by referendum of Flower Hill–Roslyn voters and then by referenda in each other participating village and the town. If any participating jurisdiction rejects the referendum, the increase would not take effect. Trustees asked Tocci to provide detailed cost estimates and agreed to circulate materials before the next meeting.
