UPDATE (MONDAY, 7:50 P.M.) - Port Chester has approved a new five-year deal to provide fire protection services to its neighbor, the Village of Rye Brook.
In a 6-0 vote, the Port Chester village Board of Trustees approved the contract that calls for 2 percent annual increases in fees to Rye Brook for it to receive services of the Port Chester Fire Department.
Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla described the agreement, which has already been approved by Rye Brook, as a "win-win" for the two villages. He said described the annual increases to Rye Brook as reasonable, and noted that the fire department has been able to hold its annual increase in its expenses to under 2 percent.
Village Trustee Bart Didden praised the efforts of the fire department and village officials in developing the new contract.
Trustee Daniel Brakewood said the agreement is a good example of how municipalities can cooperate to provide a vital service to their communities and keep costs down.
Fees for 2013-2014 would be $933,292 and over the period of the contract rise in 2017-2018 to $1,010,225.
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Port Chester is getting ready to sign a new five-year deal to provide fire protection to the neighboring village of Rye Brook.
Village officials in Rye Brook approved the proposed contract on Jan. 22 in a 5-0 vote and the Port Chester village Board of Trustees is scheduled to review the package at its 7 p.m. session on Monday. The contract between the two municipalities has already received the backing of the Port Chester Fire Department and its members.
The contract would replace the existing fire protection contract that began Aug. 26, 2010 and is scheduled to expire on June 1, 2013. The contract covers basic fire protection levels and responsibilities, as well as details on liability and insurance needed by both villages.
The propals calls for Rye Brook to pay Port Chester annually - in three equal payments in - for fire protection, with the rates increasing each year for the next five years. Here are the rates:
- 2013-2014: $933,292
- 2014-2015: $951,958
- 2015-2016: $970,997
- 2016-2017: $990,417
- 2017-2018: $1,010,225
Port Chester's Fire Department, which in January 2013 responded to 84 calls, is staffed with a dozen paid firefighters with a large contingent of volunteer firefighters. It is led by a volunteer chief, Kevin McMinn, and volunteer officers.
