Lawmakers discuss status change for Alexandria Bay Fire Department

ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y. (WWNY) – Changes may be coming for the Alexandria Bay Fire Department.

Several months after the department proposed creating its own fire district, Alexandria Bay Parish Council and Alexandria City Council met with an attorney on Wednesday.

The fire department wants to create the Alexandria Bay Joint Fire District, a separate entity from the city and village that would be governed by a board of fire commissioners.

Attorney Bradley Pinsky recommends that the village and city begin searching for five commissioners before a public hearing next month.

The village mentioned that there are already three candidates, but the city is hesitant to move too quickly.

“It looks like we’re going to rush to get five commissioners that we don’t currently have,” said City Council member Timothy Davidson. “We’re going to rush to put together a budget.”

Pinsky assured the board that after the public hearing, he could set any date for the district’s formation.

“If they decide they don’t have enough qualified people willing to run for commissioner, they can push it back to a year later,” Pinsky said. “They can complete the process now but have it take effect a year later.”

There will be no tax increases for local taxpayers.

Pinsky says it will allow one group to focus exclusively on the firefighters.

“This will only improve fire protection,” he said, “because then there will be five people running the district who will focus exclusively on fire protection.”

City Hall will hold a public hearing next month to hear what taxpayers have to say about the change.

The meeting will take place on September 26th.

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