Here are the results of the election:
In the Hewlett Bay Fire District, incumbent Anthony Vacchio won another term as commissioner over Paul Gressin, 82-69. Joseph Breslin successfully overcame incumbent Benjamin Moleno, 86-54, in his bid for treasurer.
In the Inwood Fire District, the unopposed Commissioner Thomas Havey received 65 votes.
Woodmere Fire Commissioner Timothy Pastor defeated write-in challenger Avi Dubin, 148-37, for another term.
In a very close race, 47-44, Kevin Bennett Sr., was victorious over Meadowmere Fire District Commissioner Ruth Samuelson.
Original story follows:
Five Towns fire districts will hold elections on Tuesday for positions on their board of commissioners and a treasurer.
Commissioners are responsible for a district’s tax rate and budget. This translates into maintaining firehouses, paying the bills and buying and preserving equipment.
See below for specific information on your fire district’s election.
The district has two open positions that will see competition.
Running for a five-year commissioner term is incumbent Anthony Vacchio and challenger Paul Gressin.
“With the advent of new laws, budgets and constraints, you need to think outside the box to deliver emergency services,” said Gressin, who has served for 51 years in the fire service and is a past chief and commissioner. “The old guard is fairly rigid in their ways. They don’t think we’re in a new world.”
He added that he would put an emphasis on budgeting for equipment and other needs that are coming up in the immediate future.
Vacchio could not be reached for comment by press time.
Incumbent Benjamin Moleno seeks another three-year term as treasurer, and is being challenged by Joseph Breslin.
“I’d like to keep the tax rate reasonable and I’ve done so for the past 40 to 50 years,” said Moleno, who served as a commissioner for 50 years and treasurer for the last 10.
Breslin could not be reached for comment.
The election will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the firehouse.
The Inwood Fire District will hold an election on Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. to elect a fire commissioner for a five-year term.
Thomas Havey, a 33-year member of the Inwood fire department and former chief, currently fills the seat and is seeking reelection. The board appointed Havey after a commissioner stepped down this year.
“I feel I do the job to the best of my ability,” he said.
The department is under contract from the two villages, so it does not elect commissioners.
Meadowmere Park Fire District
Kevin Bennett Sr., a department firefighter and EMT, will challenge Ruth Samuelson, who is seeking her fifth term as commissioner.
“My main thing is to fight consolidation,” Samuelson said. “For us to wait for another department to come to the scene would be horrendous. I’ve been to Albany a few times and I want to keep the fight going.”
Bennett could not be reached for comment.
Polls will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Meadowmere Park Firehouse at 14 Meyer Ave.
North Lawrence Fire District
Andrew Reilly is running unopposed for his third term as commissioner of the North Lawrence fire district, which contracts the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department for services.
“I try and keep the taxes as low as possible,” he said, “and keep up as good fire services as we possibly can.”
Voting will take place at the Five Towns Community Center at 270 Lawrence Ave. in Lawrence between 6 and 9 p.m.
Timothy Pastor, an incumbent commissioner, is seeking another five-year term.
“I enjoy what I do,” said the firefighter for 32 years. “I don’t want to see consolidation go forward, [I want to] keep taxes low and make sure the members have what they need to do their job. EMS is a top priority”
Polls are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the firehouse.
