Greenbush board adopts fire-inspection fees, reviews fire department finances

The Town of Greenbush Board on Dec. 22 approved a schedule of inspection fees for the Greenbush Fire Department and set aside $3,447.05 from unspent fire dues for the town’s truck fund.

The actions followed a written update from Steve Dickman of the Greenbush Fire Department, who presented the department’s December financial statement and a list of items the department proposes to budget in the 2026 town budget. Dickman also announced the fire department’s annual soup supper on Jan. 30, 2026.

On a motion by Supervisor Miles Shaw, seconded by Supervisor Tony Wagner, the board adopted a fee schedule of $20 for small fire inspections and $60 for large inspections. Based on current properties inspected, the board estimated those rates would yield about $1,000 annually. The motion carried.

Separately, the board received approximate calculations of what a fire department service fee would have produced this year and an assumed cost for Tax Year 2027 that factored in a hypothetical vehicle purchase in 2026. Supervisor Miles Shaw told the audience that no decision has been made and no truck has been budgeted for 2026. Supervisor Tony Wagner suggested the next step be a draft town ordinance from legal counsel to allow the board to consider establishing a service fee at a future meeting.

The board then approved on a Wagner/Kracht motion an appropriation of $3,447.05 to the Town Truck Fund, representing the unspent portion of 2% fire dues for 2025.

Next steps: the board asked staff to obtain an ordinance draft and will consider fee and vehicle decisions at a future meeting.