Written by Jerry Napolitano, Eastchester Fire Commissioner

Nov. 5, 2014: On Tuesday, October 21, Eastchester fire commissioners adopted the 2015 Eastchester Fire District budget totaling $17,266,840. The Eastchester Fire District includes the villages of Bronxville and Tuckahoe and the town of Eastchester (town outside). 

Town law does not require the public to vote on the fire district budget. The public would only vote if a bond referendum were on the ballot.

In adopting the budget, the tax cap was not exceeded and, in fact, there was a ¾ of 1% reduction in the district's tax levy compared to the levy in 2014. For the overall budget, there was a reduction of 1.39% ($242,547), compared to the 2014 budget.

Below is other information about the 2015 budget:

• All firefighter positions have been filled and funded. (One probational firefighter resigned.)

• All other positions funded in 2014 are funded in the 2015 budget.

• There was a 5% increase in premiums for medical/hospital insurance.

• Funds for an engineering review of the district's firehouses were placed in the 2015 budget for the purpose of setting up a capital plan to renovate/upgrade these locations.

• A 13% reduction of overtime for 2015 resulted from the hiring of nine new firefighters in 2014.

• There was a 7% reduction in the district's contribution for retirement benefits.

• The district realizes a large savings for each new firefighter who was hired to replace a retiring top pay firefighter.

The Eastchester Fire District election will take place on Tuesday, December 9. Citizens voting in Bronxville will vote at the Bronxville fire station. 

As of today, only one candidate has submitted a petition to be on the ballot. Candidates have until November 19 to turn in a petition. A copy of the petition can be found on the fire district's website at:

2014FireCommissionerElectionPetitionFireDistrictTownOfEastchesterNewYork.

Pictured here: The Tuckahoe fire station.

Photo by A. Warner