SILVER CREEK — Just a week before the first vote of Bay Creek Fire Commissioners in the new fire district in the town of Hanover, Supervisor Lou Pelletter reiterated his stance regarding fire consolidation while speaking as a member of the public at a recent Silver Creek Village Board meeting.

“In January, I’m going to start pushing for one fire district for the whole town of Hanover,” Pelletter said.

The statement is not a new stance for Pelletter, as he has consistently pushed for all five of the fire departments in the town of Hanover to consolidate under one district. Pelletter even offered to use town funds to cover the legal costs associated with the venture. In the end, the Silver Creek and Sunset Bay departments merged to form the Bay Creek Fire District, while Irving, Hanover Center, and Forestville elected to remain on their own.

Pelletter said from the start that he did not want to eliminate any departments, but instead, he wanted the fire taxes to be collected by one entity governed by experts in the field of fire protection, rather than the Town Board.

Pelletter wanted the liability and the oversight of the Town Board shifted to a group of Fire Commissioners overseeing the district, and in forming the Bay Creek Fire District, five commissioners were appointed by the Town Board to do so. Those five members are up for election on Tuesday, along with four challengers, as well.

“I’m very happy with the way that everything is going,” Pelletter said. “I hope that everybody gets out to vote.”

In addition to the taxing power as one entity, Pelletter stated the key financial factor driving his push for consolidation is equipment costs. Pelletter stated he does not want the town of Hanover to be responsible for replacing equipment, especially fire trucks, for multiple departments. Having one district responsible for training costs and adhering to new regulations is also a benefit of creating one town-wide district. Pelletter also highlighted the benefit to applying for grants as one entity.

“If Buffalo can have one fire department, I would think the town of Hanover can have one fire department between five companies,” Pelletter said. “… I find it very hard to believe that the town of Hanover can’t have one fire district.”

The Hanover Center Fire Department recently sent a letter to residents that criticized the Bay Creek Fire District tax rate and boundaries. There has also been criticism on social media throughout the town online in the past year. Pelletter responded to the criticism by highlighting that he is accessible in the office for anyone who wants to address any issues directly.

“I’ve been in that office every day, and I haven’t heard anything. I have an open door policy. If anybody has any issues, I’m right up there,” Pelletter said.