At a recent meeting following a public hearing on the matter, all five members of the Hanover Town Board voted unanimously in favor of the formation of the Joint Fire District. The three members of the Silver Creek Village Board who were in attendance at the meeting all voted in favor, as well. Mayor Jeff Hornburg was absent due to a family matter, but he previously stated his stance in favor of the motion.

The Town Board also voted unanimously in favor of diminishing the boundaries of the town’s Fire Protection District for the purpose of encompassing the territory into the Joint Fire District. A copy of the boundaries is available to the public at the Town Clerk’s Office and on the town’s website.

The boundaries of the Bay-Creek Fire District covers from the center line of where King Road intersects with the border of the town of Sheridan and the town of Hanover lines, continuing north until the line reaches Lake Erie. The boundary also runs east along the town line until it hits the boundary of the hamlet of Irving, then runs southeast until it intersects with King Road.

The boundary runs along the centerline of King Road to the beginning point. The territory of the Irving Fire District along the State Thruway is not included.

Brad Pinsky, an attorney focused on Fire and Emergency Service agencies, spoke via videoconference at a recent public hearing to facilitate the formation of a joint fire district in Hanover.

The town of Hanover had originally proposed including all five fire departments in the town – Sunset Bay, Silver Creek, Hanover Center, Irving, and Forestville – under one Joint Fire District. However, after pushback from several departments, the town proceeded with Sunset Bay and Silver Creek.

“We’ve got 6,800 people for the whole town. It shouldn’t be that hard to work together. It really shouldn’t,” Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter said.

In making the decision to merge the two departments that were ready to do so, it left Hanover Center and Irving uncertain of what comes next. However, one representative from each department spoke at the most recent hearing to express interest in joining the Joint Fire District. Forestville still prefers not to merge at this time.

Steve D’Angelo said of Hanover Center, “Should we fold our doors? What should we do? We’re beside ourselves right now.”

Pelletter responded by highlighting that Hanover Center was not initially on board with the merger. He also highlighted that the Joint Fire District is not a consolidation of departments themselves, but rather a taxing entity that will be governed by a board of fire commissioners, rather than the Town Board or Village Board.

Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter expects the Town Board to appoint commissioners for the Bay-Creek Fire District by the end of June.

Brad Pinsky, an attorney focused on Fire and Emergency Service agencies, provided clarity at the recent public hearing. Pinsky highlighted that Hanover Center’s fire house is located within the territory outlined in the district. Because of that fact, residents located in the Hanover Center territory within the specified limits can vote on any matters pertaining to the district.

In forming the district, the Hanover Town Board is not eliminating any fire departments or reducing coverage for residents of any areas in the town. The Town Board’s actions have defined the territory for the new district to handle under its new commissioners. Fire commissioners will make any decisions regarding consolidation and transfer of equipment.

“This Town Board cannot decide for Hanover Center whether they stay or go, and this Town Board and Village Board cannot decide anything about the Fire District, either,” Pinsky said. “… That’s going to be up to the new fire commissioners. When you choose commissioners, choose them wisely.”

The Town Board will appoint five fire commissioners for the first year of the district. After that, residents of the district will elect commissioners each year. The district will also appoint a treasurer each year to handle the financial aspects of the district.

Any resident living within the limits of the district can run for the role of fire commissioner. Residents of the district will also now have the ability to vote on significant purchases. In the current system, it is up to the Town or Village Board to determine how purchases are funded.

Consolidation under one Fire Chief also provides continuity with the same rules and regulations for all firefighters in the district.

“The fire companies will be operating under one playbook, which is much safer for everybody,” Pinsky said.

After Pinsky’s explanation, D’Angelo said on behalf of Hanover Center’s intent to collaborate with other departments, “We have in the past and we will stay in the future working with you, as we always have. … We’re with you guys.”

The Town of Hanover is seeking applicants for the role of fire commissioner. Pelletter stated he hopes to have all five roles filled by the end of June.

“I’ve been talking about this for six months. I’m ready to do this,” Pelletter said.

If he does not receive enough applicants for the positions, Pelletter said, “I’ll do my own interviews and appoint my own, which I don’t want to do. We’ve got to get moving on this. I don’t want to run into a taxing issue.”