The ABCs of the Powers and Duties of Fire District Commissioners

ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY. May acquire by purchase, lease, gift, devise or condemnation real property, and erect, construct, alter, repair and equip suitable buildings for fire district purposes. Town Law Section 176 14.

ADMINISTER OATH. Members, along with the secretary, or treasurer, may administer any necessary oath lawfully before him or in connection with any papers filed with him. Town Law Section 176 4-b.

ADOPT OWN VOUCHER FORM. Members may adopt their own voucher form so long as it is properly signed or verified under oath by the claimant. Town Law Section 176 4-a.

ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS. May adopt rules and regulations governing all fire companies and fire departments in the district and,

Prescribe duties of the members,

Enforce discipline,

Provide for public drills. Parades, funerals inspections and reviews of the fire district fire departments. Town Law Section 176 11.

ALLOW AGRICULTURE ASSESSMENT ON PROPERTY. May authorize the application of the special agriculture assessment on land within the district. Town Law Section 176 34.

APPROVE THE DEPARTMENT OPERATING WITHIN THE DISTRICT. May grant or withhold consent to the formation of a fire corporation, which intends to operate within the territory of the fire district. Town Law Section 176 20.

APPOINT BOARD OF ELECTIONS. Members shall appoint and compensate officials for the fire district elections. Town Law Section 176 8.

APPOINT CHAIRMAN OF BOARD. Members shall elect one of their own as chairman, who shall preside at the board meetings. In the chairman’s absence, the board members may designate one of their own as temporary chairman. Town Law Section 176 1.

APPOINT FIRE DISTRICT SECRETARY. Members shall appoint a fire district secretary. Town Law Section 176 2.

APPOINT SOMEONE TO FILL VACANCY. Members shall fill a vacancy in any fire district office. Town Law Section 176 3.

AUDIT ALL CLAIMS. Members shall audit all claims against the fire district and shall order the payment by the fire district treasurer. Town Law Section 176 4-a.

AUTHORIZE IN ADVANCE OF AUDIT. Members may authorize the payment in advance of audit of claims, subject to audit and reimbursement by the claimant for,

Lights,

Telephone,

Postage,

Freight,

Express charges. Town Law Section 176 4-a.

AUTHORIZE VOTING MACHINES. May authorize the use of voting machines at any annual or special election of the district. Town Law Section 176 29.

AWARD CONTRACTS. Shall award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. Town Law Section 176 23-a.

CALL FOR ADDITIONAL MEETINGS. May call for another meeting of the department to consider the names of officers not approved. Town Law Section 176 11-b.

CANDIDATE TO FILE NAME WITH SECRETARY. Board shall require candidates for public office to file their names with the secretary of the fire district at least 20 days before the election. May provide, by resolution, that all nominations be submitted in petition form. Town Law Section 176 7.

COMPROMISE LAWSUITS. May compromise any suit or claims now existing or hereinafter arising against the fire district. Town Law Section 176 28.

CONTRACT FOR WATER SUPPLY. May contract for the supply of water and the furnishing, erection, maintenance, care and replacement of fire hydrants, maintenance of markers, and snow removal for a period not to exceed 5 years without an appropriation vote by the qualified voters of the district. Town Law Section 176 12.

CONTRACT FOR FIRE PROTECTION. May contract for the furnishing of fire protection within the fire district. Town Law Section 176 22.

CONTRACT TO PROVIDE OUTSIDE SERVICES. May contract to provide, outside the district,

Fire protection

...