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Vestal board holds hearing on forming separate fire district to oversee LOSAP
Summary
At a July 24 public hearing the town explained plans to dissolve the existing structure and form a new Vestal fire district that would assume fiduciary responsibility for the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP); officials cited ~$3.3 million in LOSAP assets and said a $300,000 annual cap was included in the notice to limit future contribution changes.
The Vestal Town Board on July 24 held a public hearing on a proposal to create a separate Vestal Fire District and transfer responsibility for the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) to newly elected fire commissioners.
Tom mcartney, chair of the town's fire governance committee, told the meeting that state guidance requires separation of fire‑district governance from the town board when LOSAP funds are involved. "The plan is to form a new fire district ... the new Fire District would take effect in October of 24," Tom mcartney said, explaining the town board would appoint interim fire commissioners until elections could be held.
Officials said the LOSAP trust fund holds roughly $3.3 million in assets. The public notice filed for the hearing set an estimated annual cost cap of $300,000 so that the district would not need to return to voters for permission unless contributions exceeded that limit. Meeting remarks described recent underfunding in past years and projected additional contribution needs to maintain baseline funding levels.
The presenters outlined how the new commissioners would become fiduciaries for LOSAP under General Municipal Law §216‑b and how the change would follow Town Law procedures. Officials said the transition requires state comptroller review and the town board’s final approvals before implementation.
During questions a resident asked whom taxpayers should contact with LOSAP concerns after the transition; officials said the board of elected fire commissioners would be the public’s avenue of oversight once commissioners are in place.
The hearing closed after public questions. Officials said a separate fire district meeting will be scheduled in the coming month to continue the process.
