By Brandon Bain
Newsday (New York)
Copyright 2006 Newsday, Inc.
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Connie Kepert wants to solve a dispute between the Gordon Heights fire district and angry residents who want to close the firehouse because they pay the highest fire taxes on Long Island.
So Kepert did a preliminary study on one idea to lower taxes — annex commercial and industrial properties from neighboring districts into the Gordon Heights district.
Based on that analysis, Kepert said, “I was unable to identify a solution that would be equitable” for the five districts involved. Tax rates in Gordon Heights, Kepert said, would be lowered only slightly. “We want to decrease the taxes ... in a way that’s not going to negatively impact other districts,” she said. “I do not want to dissolve the fire district.”
Although she declined to reveal her findings, she said she plans to do a more detailed study with the town assessor.
On Tuesday, a group of Gordon Heights residents submitted to the town board more than 400 signatures from homeowners asking to dissolve the fire district, a move experts say would be unprecedented in New York State.
Town and fire officials agree the lack of a commercial tax base contributes to the annual average homeowner tax bill of $1,344.
While neighboring fire districts express support for keeping Gordon Heights’ firehouse open, some say they do not approve of annexing commercial, industrial or residential properties from their own districts.
“I would not want to see our taxpayers pay any more taxes than what they pay now,” said Yaphank Fire District Commissioner Herb Davis.
Some Gordon Heights residents agree and say they prefer to be absorbed by one of four neighboring fire districts - Yaphank, Coram, Medford and Middle Island.
“I do not support taking tax base away from other districts,” said Gordon Heights petitioner Rosalie Hansen.
Kepert said other solutions could include reduced spending by the district, and she announced plans for a task force to seek additional ideas.
Gordon Heights fire officials, who said dissolving the district would affect emergency response times, suggested seeking government grants and letting cell phone companies rent space for towers, ideas residents labeled a “quick fix.”