Elmont, F.S. fire districts hold elections

The Elmont Fire District held its annual election on Dec. 13. Four candidates ran for a seat on the Board of Commissioners. Frank Hrbek Jr. was newly elected to a five-year term as commissioner, receiving 329 votes. Hrbek ran against Pedro Vera Jr., who received 179 votes; Philmon Kempadoo, who received 52 votes; and Frank Lozada, who received eight votes.

During the district’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 10, Ralph Esposito was named the fire district’s 2012 board chairman; Andrew Bohnet was named vice chairman; and Robert Chernow and Joseph Balletta were named commissioners, along with Hrbek Jr. Chernow was appointed to the board for a one year, following Vincent Focazio’s resignation, submitted on Jan. 1. Chernow is finishing the remainder of Focazio’s three-year term.

The Franklin Square & Munson Fire District did not elect any new members to its Board of Commissioners for 2012.

Thousands of voters in more than 120 Long Island fire districts — which raise operating funds largely through property taxes — went to the polls in December to select commissioners, who collectively control more than $320 million in annual spending and set tax levies. Fire districts are public, independent taxing agencies and district commissioners do not collect salaries, despite being responsible for drafting district budgets, determining fire protection policies and buying equipment.

In November, boards of commissioners adopted district budgets, which are not subject to a vote by residents, as are school district budgets. The Elmont Fire District adopted a $6.81 million budget, a 9.13 percent increase over the current year’s budget. The Franklin Square & Munson Fire District adopted a $2.52 million budget, a zero increase over the current-year budget.