ROTTERDAM FIRE DISTRICT #3 1 January 2008
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Rotterdam Fire District #3 is the political entity responsible for training and equipping
the members of the Carman Volunteer Fire Department who provide fire protection to
all the residents and businesses of the area known as Carman in the town of Rotterdam.
Fire districts are political subdivisions of the state and also district corporations. The
fire commissioners and other officers and employees of each fire district are not
officers or employees of the town or of any other political subdivision. New York State
Town Law Sections 174 and 175 detail the requirements, makeup and responsibilities
of fire districts and fire commissioners.

Each fire district in New York State is governed by its own board of five fire
commissioners. The commissioners are elected by the qualified voters of the fire
district at annual elections, which are held on the second Tuesday of December of each
year. Each commissioner is elected for a five-year term commencing on January 1
following the election. The office terms are staggered so that one commissioner is
elected each year to ensure there will always be experienced commissioners on the
Board at any given time. Fire district commissioners receive no compensation.
Currently, Rotterdam Fire District #3 officers also include the appointed positions of
Secretary-Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer. In addition, the fire district employs an
Administrative Assistant and a Deputy Secretary, both on a part-time basis. Those
employees’ compensation rates are fixed annually by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
The fire district retains an attorney to assist, counsel and advise the Board.
Each fire district commissioner, treasurer, and secretary must, at the time of election or
appointment and throughout the term of office, be a resident of the fire district. A
person may not hold the office of Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief or Town
Councilman or Town Supervisor and Fire Commissioner at the same time.

The Board of Fire Commissioners determines a set day and time for the Board’s
monthly meetings. At those public monthly meetings, the Board conducts the business
of the fire district with regard to the financial and operational aspects associated with
all fire district activities. All monies used for such operations are derived from fire
taxes which are levied by the fire district and collected by the town as part of the town
tax on each assessed property. In all cases, the Board acts together as a whole.

The Board of Fire Commissioners acts in the interest of the fire district taxpayers while
overseeing the fire prevention and fire suppression activities of the Carman Volunteer
Fire Department. The Board purchases and maintains the buildings, utilities,
furnishings and fire fighting equipment necessary for the members of the fire
department to respond to emergency situations such as rescue and structural fire
fighting. The Board also provides funding for proper training of the all-volunteer fire
fighting force.

By law, fire district taxes may only be used for fire district activities, which include
firematic operations. The fire department conducts fundraisers on its own for the
financing of its social activities, such as Little League sponsorship and member trips.
Fire tax monies can not be used for such purposes. The fire district provides no funds,
either directly or indirectly, to the fire department.

The Board of Fire Commissioners works as a team to accomplish the objectives of the
Fire District. The commissioners provide support to one another whenever it is needed.
Each commissioner contributes 15 to 25 hours per month on a strictly volunteer basis to
get the job done.

A listing of the current individual commissioners and their responsibilities follow:

Ken Posson is the Board Chairman. He presides at all the Board’s meetings, assists
the Secretary-Treasurer and Administrative Assistant and is responsible for matters
concerning Insurance, Capital Projects, Planning and Budgeting. He is also responsible
for follow-up regarding other Board members' responsibilities.

John Janke is accountable for Firematics and is also the Board Vice Chairman.
He takes charge of matters pertaining to fire district operations that relate to fire
fighting equipment and vehicles. He also is the conduit for all necessary liaison
between the Board and the Fire Department’s Chief officers.

RJ Jachlewski has responsibility for the Firehouse Building. He is accountable for
resolving matters that relate to the Firehouse Building and its contained property, such
as non-fire fighting equipment.

Paul Anzalone is responsible for the fire district Grounds. He has charge of
maintaining the grounds, garage building, and the paved areas surrounding the
Firehouse Building.

Gary Bonk attends to Office Operations. He acts as the office manager,
providing necessary support for smooth day to day operation of the Fire District office.
He also supports Information Technology and does financial analysis for the fire district.,