Fire Districts to Hold Elections Tuesday

For some, it's a chance to continue a legacy. For others, it's their way of serving the community.

Most fire departments in the Five Towns will hold elections for commissioners on Tuesday. Commissioners, who are unpaid volunteers, meet every month and oversee how tax dollars are spent on things such as a fire district's infrastructure and equipment.

Most of tomorrow's elections are unopposed, but Inwood Fire District is seeing competition for its open seat.

Charles Borfitz and Anthony Rivelli are both gunning for the commissioner seat being vacated by James Pearsall.

Borfitz is the son of a former chief of the department and has been a member since 1986. His highest rank was captain. Borfitz said that the seat he's running for used to be filled by his father, who died in office.

"The present board is doing a fantastic job at the things that they do. There's nothing to change really," he said. "I think it comes down to being a taxpayer and being a department member and knowing their needs. I'm a retired detective so I have the time to give. I'm very proud to be a member of the department and grow up in the place, and it would be an honor to be part of the fire district."

Rivelli, who has served as a volunteer firefighter, EMT and police officer, has been with the Inwood Fire Department for 35 years, including two years as chief, and was awarded 29 times for his service.

"I think I bring a lot more to the table with my experience," he said. "I think it's my time to step up and do what's right. The district has been doing what's right and holding the line down on taxes. It's time we start doing a little downsizing. The number of fires has dropped dramatically. I was a firefighter in the 1970s when things were rocking and rolling." He added that his goals are to keep membership up and get the best prices on supplies.

Also on the ballot is an initiative to establish a new capital reserve fund for an undetermined amount of money to fund information technology and communication systems at the firehouse.

"They tend to be expensive and to keep the budget stable we need a capital reserve fund," said Joe Ruvolo, district manager for the Inwood Fire District. "It's called good budgeting."

Polls will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the firehouse.

The district will hold elections for two seats, with one candidate running for each. Polls will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Paul "The Bres" Breslin, who was appointed in October to fill a seat vacated by a commissioner who resigned, is running for a three-year term. Breslin said he was a commissioner for five years about 15 years ago, but at the time couldn't commit to it.

"It's a volunteer job but it's a lot of work. It's like a full time job," he said. "I've been a firefighter for 22 years and fireman of the year three times. I know what the job entails and I want to help the community. Why do I do it? Just to help out really."

The other election is for the seat being vacated by Nick Martino, who is retiring after 35 years on the board. Mark Lorberbaum, a member of the department for five years, is the sole candidate on the ballot to fill the seat.

"Being we're in such difficult times everywhere, you want to make sure the tax dollars are spent in the best way and people get the best fire protection available," he said. "We are already, but we have someone stepping down after 35 years and it needs to be done. I'm a firm believer of if it's not broken you don't fix it. I'm the new guy on the block so there are always new observations to be made."

Commissioner Erik Kinney is up for re-election for his second five-year term. He is running unopposed on the ballot. Polls are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the firehouse. Kinney could not be reached for comment.

The department is under contract from the two villages, so it does not elect commissioners.

Meadowmere Park

The open commissioner seat was filled by Andrew Schmitt, Jr., who is stepping down after getting a new position with the Nassau County Fire Marshal department.

His father, Andrew Schmitt, Sr., a former chief, is hoping to take his place. He said he had served on the board of commissioners at the same time as his son, but was beat in the election two years ago by one vote.

"I can help the community. I've been with the fire department 50 years," he said. "I think I know what I need to do to hold the fire budget down. I want to keep everything on the up and up so they can do their job here."

Polls are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.