A decision on whether to dissolve the Fishers Fire District has been postponed following a contentious public hearing that drew sharp criticism from residents and local officials.
Board members chose not to vote Tuesday night on the controversial proposal, which had targeted the end of August as a potential dissolution deadline. The decision to delay came after heated testimony and mounting pressure from community members, including Victor Town Supervisor Jack Marren, who called for more time to plan for any major changes to fire protection.
The proposal, first introduced by the district’s Board of Commissioners, cited concerns about long-term financial sustainability—even though the district currently has no debt and maintains strong reserves. Board commissioner George Heltz acknowledged that finances are stable now, but warned that rising operational costs could eventually force property taxes to double annually, which he described as unsustainable.
Critics, however, questioned the urgency of the proposal, noting that the financial projections span the next 15 years. Many expressed concern that the process has been rushed and lacks a clear roadmap for maintaining public safety.
Under the proposal, the Town of Victor would take over fire protection responsibilities if the district were disbanded. But residents and firefighters alike worry that the shift could lead to significant gaps in emergency coverage. Some warned that response times could increase by as much as 10 minutes—potentially endangering lives and property.
While a few residents voiced support for dissolving the district in hopes of improving efficiency, the overwhelming majority at the hearing urged the board to reconsider. Many accused the commissioners of failing to provide transparency or engage the public meaningfully.
No new vote date has been set, but officials say the postponement offers a critical window to re-evaluate the proposal and explore alternatives that won’t compromise emergency response.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].