Town of Oneonta Fire District commissioners voted Thursday night 3 to 2 for dissolution, turning the job of negotiating a fire protection contract over to the Oneonta Town Board, which objects to the step.
Supervisor Robert Wood said the Town Board plans to take legal action to block the dissolution. Town board member Patricia Riddell Kent said all of the town board members are concerned about the dissolution.
“This is not in the best interests of the residents in the town,” she said.
Chairwoman Johna Peachin and commissioners Ron Peters and Fernando “Fred” Volpe voted for dissolution, and commissioners Alan Rubin and Michelle Catan voted against the proposal.
About 30 people, including town board members, residents and others attended the fire commissioners' meeting at the Elm Park United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Thursday, and many lingered outside after the meeting's quick adjournment. Without an opportunity to comment during the meeting, they talked openly afterward.