An incumbent on the Fishers Fire District board has been ousted by a challenger who was upset with rising taxes charged to residents in the district.
The Daily Messenger reports Fred Dewey received 82% of the vote, winning easily over John Williamson. The district provides fire protection for a 26 square mile area in the town of Victor, including five miles of the NY State Thruway.
Taxes in the district jumped 66% between 2016 and 2021. A state Comptroller’s audit released last month found the district did not effectively manage its financial condition and did not adopt realistic budgets from 2018-21.
The Fire District board said the tax increase was the result of what it called a period of growth, during which the district transitioned from volunteer to paid staff.
Two candidates who ran against the tax increases now have seats on the five member board.
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