Town, village team up for Alexandria Bay Joint Fire District

Sep. 28—ALEXANDRIA BAY — The town of Alexandria and the village of Alexandria Bay have formed the Alexandria Bay Joint Fire District to free the village up from the fire department budgeting process.

Other departments that cover the area, such as Redwood Fire Department and Plessis Fire Department, are not affected by the move. However, in the future, those departments could potentially join in.

"We're kind of taking baby steps," town of Alexandria Supervisor Brent Sweet said.

The move also eliminates the fire protection contract between the village and the town.

Residents will continue to get the same fire protection they have always received.

Now, the town and village boards will not have any control over the money. Instead, tax rates will be decided by five fire commissioners. Three appointed by the town and two appointed by the village.

The fire commissioners will make the budget, including any taxes, and the town will collect the taxes and then distribute the funds to the fire department.

"A lot of their expenses have gone up," Sweet said. "It makes it a hard budget to work on every year."

Sweet said the village and town will have "no say" in what the tax for the fire district is. There is no indication yet as to what taxes may be for the district and any tax implications have not yet been decided.

The new fire district will take effect in 30 days.