Public Hearings on 2011 Fire District Budgets Held Tonight

Members of the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on their respective fire department budgets this evening. Riverhead contains four fire districts. Below are notes on the budgets.

Riverhead Fire District

The Riverhead Fire Department is asking taxpayers for 5 percent more than last year's budget. While this year's total of $4.5 million is 11 percent higher than last year's budget, District Secretary/Treasurer Robert Zaweski said that $250,000 of the 2011 budget is unreserved funds carried over from last year. Therefore, taxpayers will be asked to burden $4.25 million.

As for the increase in expenditures, Zaweski noted increased employee training and older satellite buildings will account for an increase in firefighter expenses and building and property maintenance.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 this evening at fire department headquarters on Roanoke Avenue.

Also at the fire department this evening is a referendum to allow the Fire District to sell land it owns at the corner of Ostrander Avenue and Corwin Street for $1.3 million. Voting will be held at the headquarters from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The land up for sale, once home to Riverhead Building Supply, was donated to the fire district and was briefly considered as a home for the fire district. However, traffic flow was not considered ideal. If the sale is approved, the land would reportedly be sold to Atlantis Marine World.

Proceeds from the sale would spread through the payment of the town's bond payments on the new district headquarters, said Zaweski. In 2007, voters decided to bond $14 million for a new fire headquarters.

Jamesport Fire District

Jamesport Fire District has proposed a budget of $713,884, the same amount as last year. The hearing will be held at 7:30 at the fire district headquarters, located at 25 Manor Lane in Jamesport

Wading River

Wading River Fire Department proposed a budget of $2 million, down from $2.06 million last year. The public hearing will be held at 8 p.m. at the Wading River Fire Department headquarters, 1503 North Country Rd., Wading River.

Manorville

Manorville Fire District has proposed a budget of $1.6 million, up from $1.4 million last year. The public hearing will begin at 7:30 at the district headquarters at 14 Silas Carter Road in Manorville.