The top line of the 2009 budget, which contains the estimated projected real property taxes, came in at $1.4 million, reflecting a 1.7 percent, or $24,000, decrease from last year's budget. Under the spending plan, the projected fire tax rate would be $1 less than last year, according to district officials.
Two years ago the high fire taxes in Gordon Heights led to a group of residents collecting signatures to dissolve the fire district in an effort to reduce them. Brookhaven Town, which must decide on dissolution applications, ruled the 700-plus collection of signatures inconsistent with state election law.
Board of Fire Commissioners president James Kelly said he doesn't necessarily think the small attendance was an indication that residents are for or against the fire district; in the past, fire district meetings have not drawn a lot of people due to work, family obligations and a general lack of interest.
"I wish that we had more people who participated, but it went just fine with the people that we got," Mr. Kelly said. "I consider it a step in the right direction."
Rosalie Hanson, a community resident leading the charge to dissolve the fire district, attended the meeting but did not speak on the budget, pointing out that residents will not vote on the adopted budget. Ms. Hanson said many residents may have chosen not to show up because they did not see the point when their questions weren't answered at last year's forum.
"Everyone said we are not going to go down there and waste our time. Our notarized signatures speak for themselves," Ms. Hanson said of the petition drive.
Donald Price, an opponent of the fire district, said he recently visited the fire house with his grandchildren during fire prevention week and used his time on the microphone to take a jab at the district. He pointed out how attractive it would be to other fire districts for a consolidation effort, considering the highly trained fire personnel, new vehicles and little debt service. He complimented the department's Chief Erton Rudder, but then took a shot at the district by saying that "any district would like to get their hands on him."
"Five brand-new vehicles, without the added expense -- you are looking pretty good," he said of the district.
While Chief Rudder accepted the compliment to himself and the department graciously, he said following the meeting that a move to consolidate might not be as easy as it seems in theory. The move would also have to be approved by the other fire districts and their corresponding fire departments, he said.
"So now if any of us go over to any other department ... I'd become a firefighter," he said.
Gordon Heights resident Leonard Gibbs lauded the board's financial plan, and said he was angry with the move to abolish the fire district and corresponding fire department.
"If you don't like where you're at, you should move," he said.
Greater Gordon Heights Civic Association president Tawaun Whitty, who lives outside the fire district, said many members of the community are upset over the move to abolish the fire district and corresponding departments because they are part of their identity.
"They don't want it to go anywhere," she added.
Kathryn Brown, a former fire commissioner who served the district for 11 years, congratulated the board for cutting expenses. "It's not an easy job," she said.
Ms. Hanson said she recognized the board is making an effort to reduce its spending plan, but pointed out that the state mandates might be too much of a burden for the tiny district, considering it has such a small commercial tax base; even more reason for a consolidation effort to be considered.
"It will come to the point that even the state mandates will cripple us," Ms. Hanson said emphasizing that, for the sake of the taxpayers, the dissolution effort must go through, without fail. "If we say 'if,' we are doomed. We are doomed."
The district's board of fire commissioners and fire chief, as well as members of federal, state, county and town government representing the Gordon Heights area will also be on hand to answer residents' questions about the fire district during a public forum Nov. 12. The hearing has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse on Hawkins Avenue in Gordon Heights.
peggy@northshoresun.com