October 18, 2004

RE: Resolution No. 204273

Dear County Executive Steinhaus:

We are writing to request your approval of Resolution No. 204273 which urges the passage of New York State Legislation that would authorize fire commissioners to establish user fees upon tax exempt property for fire-fighting and rescue services.  As you know, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to endorse this resolution on October 13, 2004.

The Fairview Fire District has reached a critical point where the safety of the community and emergency responders is being compromised.  Fairview is currently operating with insufficient manpower to safely and effectively handle the demand of incidents and other services that are expected. A significant amount of the time Fairview is operating at incidents on tax-exempt properties with already limited minimal manpower and leaving the taxpayers, who pay a very high price for the expected immediate service, unprotected.  The taxpayers cannot afford to hire the additional staffing that is currently needed and what will be needed for guaranteed future growth within the district, especially that of tax-exempt properties.

In the effort to resolve this issue, New York State Assembly Bill A3019 was drafted with the assistance of Assemblyman Joel Miller and Senator Stephen Saland.  This bill would authorize a board of fire commissioners to establish user fees upon tax exempt property for fire-fighting and rescue services.  The criteria for imposing these fees would include that the fire district was comprised of over 50% tax exempt properties.

We are, and have been, at a point where the life safety of those we serve and protect and the lives of our own emergency responders are being jeopardized due to a lack of funding to provide adequate manpower.

It is not our desire to enter into the realm of taxing exempt institutions.  However, when it is these institutions that demand the most, use the services the most, and require an higher level of protection than most of those who actually pay for the service, then why shouldn’t they be required to contribute to the cost associated with it.  Quite frankly, if they do not start contributing to these ever increasing expenses, then the fire district may be left with the frightening possibility of closing it’s doors due to lack of funding and the liability associated with operating below every industry standard.

Fairview looks to you and the Dutchess County Legislature to assist in any way possible for the passage of this New York State Bill, to ensure that emergency services can afford to remain safe and efficient in operation.

Respectfully,

Timothy O’Connor
vicepresident@fiarview2623.org
Vice President, Dutchess-Fairview Professional Firefighters, Local 2623

John Anspach
JAnspach@US.IBM.com
Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners, Fairview Fire District