Fire District

Fair Harbor Fire District
Was established in 1931 and is responsible for providing the facilities necessary for fire protection in Fair Harbor. Dunewood and Lonelyville each has it's own Fire district, but they have reached an agreement which results in contributions to the Fair Harbor Fire District in return for fire coverage. Our district has five commissioners elected by Fair Harbor registered voters. Each commissioner services for five years, and the terms are staggered, so each year one commissioner is up for election. There are roughly 60 registered voters in Fair Harbor. Although there is a provision in the law for absentee ballots it has not been implemented by the district so voters must vote in person in December to elect the commissioner. The district provides free ferry service and lunch as an accommodation to the off island voters. There is a chairman selected by the commissioners, and they also appoint a secretary and a treasurer. Decisions are made by a majority of the commissioners. The commissioners need not be members of the Fire department.

The Fire District owns both the new fire house and the old fire house (community center). It also owns all the bay front land east of the ferry dock to the second jetty, which makes up the bay beach, the playground, and sail boat area. It also owns land west of the town dock which is used for the wagon stand. In addition it owns a small piece of land Central Walk and Elm. The district has no debt.

The district buys and owns all of the fire fighting equipment used by the Fair Harbor Fire Department. The district is responsible for the maintenance of all equipment, both fire houses, and insurance coverage for all building and equipment.

The Fire District is not subject to oversight or control by the Town of Islip. It has the power to raise or lower taxes, and to spend the money raised in any manner that can be represented as being part of its charter as set forth in the state statutes. It is the only district with no direct Town of Islip oversight and control. It is the single most powerful entity in Fair Harbor.

Excerpt from:
How Fair Harbor Works
by: Gene Levy, President, FHCA