The police department may need a slight increase in funding for its 2015 budget, according to Chief Frank Secret. (Reece Alvarez)

It appears that the amount of funding Police Chief Frank Secret is asking to run his department in 2015 will be up over the $570,261 requested for 2014.

Salaries were not discussed at Monday night’s Town Board meeting because officials are still in the midst of negotiations with the police union on contract issues.

“Once these issues are resolved, we can sit down and have an in-depth discussion of the entire budget,” Deputy Town Supervisor Peter DeLucia, who chaired Monday’s meeting, told The Ledger.

Training and equipment

As officials reviewed line items in the budget they agreed that having a department that was well equipped and well trained was a top priority.

The department currently has two full-time patrol officers, one full-time youth officer, Police Chief Frank Secret, and six part-time officers working different shifts.

Chief Secret is requesting a second court officer for the town court, doubling that budget line from $9,000 to $18,000.

“The second court officer is needed so that we can make full use of our metal detector and insure proper order in the courtroom,” Chief Secret said.

Mr. DeLucia agreed.

“We have an active court these days and need another officer to run our metal detector,” he said. “Our police force has been doing an excellent job with enforcement, which in turn results in a busy courtroom where the safety of the public and our justices must be adequately addressed.”

Chief Secret also said training standards would be maintained, but at a slightly reduced cost that would not impact effectiveness.

“We also have three new police vehicles and will probably see an increase in our gasoline expenditure from $17,500 in 2014 to $21,000 in 2015,” he said. “But that will be offset by lower repair costs.”

Overtime will also be up, from $30,450 in 2014 to a request for $55,000 in 2015.

Other safety-related expense requests include police vests, firearms and Taser supplies, and vehicle computer modems, all either flat or down from 2014.

Town Board members emphasized the police force must be well trained and well equipped so it would be safe while effectively protecting the citizens of Lewisboro.

“Frank’s budget so far is in line with the needs and goals of the board and the town,” said Mr. DeLucia. “We hope to discuss salary issues next week.”

The Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) is an all volunteer, completely self funded emergency response service and was formerly one of the rare few in the county to offer free-charge ambulance service. (Courtesy LVAC)

Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) is joining other local volunteer ambulance corps units — including Chappaqua, Katonah- Bedford Hills, and Somers — in seeking reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies for emergency ambulance transport service, according to an LVAC press release.

“Reimbursement is claimed only if a patient is actually taken to the hospital at the rate covered by the policy holder’s Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance,” according to LVAC. “Importantly, no one will be denied emergency medical transport because of lack of insurance.

“These funds will be reinvested into equipment, training and other increasingly costly supplies needed to deliver high quality emergency services.  The continued pressures on LVAC’s current operating budget, especially following the acquisition of major capital projects including a new ambulance, electronic power cots and automated CPR devices, requires that we take this action. While this initiative will help offset a portion of our costs, LVAC is still dependent on contributions from our friends and neighbors through our letters of appeal and community fund-raisers.”

Due to the rising costs of maintaining a pre-hospital medical emergency response team and state-of-the-art life-saving equipment, LVAC “believes it has a management responsibility to lay the groundwork now for a sustainable and secure future serving the emergency medical needs of the community.”

A school bus was sideswiped on Laurie Lane on Monday, Sept. 29. (Matt Spillane)

A Katonah-Lewisboro school bus was sideswiped on Laurie Lane in South Salem on Monday morning, but no one was injured in the accident.

A bus carrying Meadow Pond Elementary School students was hit by a passing car on a narrow turn near Boutonville Road at about 9:10 a.m. Monday, but Lewisboro police said no one was injured.

Sal’s Towing removed the car, while the bus was able to drive away.

South Salem resident Jonathan Tamburro was arrested last week for second-degree assault, a class D felony, after allegedly hitting his ex-girlfriend in the face in June.

State police, with the help of Lewisboro police, arrested Mr. Tamburro, 25, on Thursday, Sept. 26.

On Sept. 11 state police investigators began investigating the alleged assault from June 2014.

Mr. Tamburro was arraigned in the town of Bedford Court and remanded to Westchester County Jail in lieu of $100 cash bail.He was due in Lewisboro Justice Court on Monday, Sept. 29, but was adjourned until Nov. 10.

The Katonah Fire Department will hold an open house on Sunday, Oct. 5. (Scott Mullin)

The Katonah Fire Department will celebrate Fire Prevention Week with an open house on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 12 to 3 at its firehouse on Bedford Road.

There will be fire prevention information and souvenirs, fire awareness activities, hands-on equipment demonstrations, training demonstrations, fire truck rides, refreshments, and free batteries for smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.

There will also be a volunteer representative for anyone interested in joining the department. For more information visit katonahfd.org.

The South Salem Fire Department will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 to 3 at its firehouse on Route 35.

The South Salem firehouse

This free event includes fire apparatus tours, live demonstrations, car seat installations, a bloodhound K-9 team, a fire truck bounce house, food and refreshments, a fire safety trailer, and an arson K-9 team.

For more information visit southsalemfire.com.

The Goldens Bridge Fire Department is holding fire prevention and awareness events throughout October. (Scott Mullin)

Class is in session — fire safety and prevention class, that is, and not in a classroom, but on a fire truck! As part of National Fire Prevention Week and to kick off a month-long series of community outreach events aimed at increasing fire-safety education and awareness, members of the Goldens Bridge Fire Department — all in full gear — will roll up to Increase Miller Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 9, with their fire engines to conduct interactive fire safety demonstrations and presentations for students and staff between 9 and 2.

Small group sessions will be held on the fire trucks throughout the day. Children will get to wear real fire gear and all youngsters will receive a special fire safety and prevention gift bag filled with elementary school age-appropriate literature and fun things like fire safety temporary tattoos.

Goldens Bridge firefighters

“Fire safety is anything but fun and games,” said Goldens Bridge Fire Department First Assistant Chief Al Melillo. “However, our presentation is fun and interactive so it gets children to share what they learned with their parents. Awareness among children and adults goes a long way toward safety and prevention.”

The month-long campaign will continue on Sunday, Oct. 12, when GBFD members will roll into the Goldens Bridge shopping center and set up near the A&P with fire vehicles from 12 to 3.

They will distribute free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire safety and prevention literature, and gift bags for children. They also will provide interactive and hands-on demonstrations, as well as answer questions and encourage residents to devise a fire escape plan.

The GBFD will conduct additional fire safety and prevention sessions on Sunday, Oct. 19, at Fox Valley Park, and Sunday, Oct. 26, again at the Goldens Bridge shopping center. All sessions are from 12 to 3.

The Vista Fire Department will hold an open house and recruitment day on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 to 4 at its firehouse on Route 123.

The Vista Fire Department will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Find out all the benefits of being a Vista Fire Department member, such as tax breaks for homeowners, free gym and town pool membership and a small retirement package. You can also witness a car fire/extrication demonstration, ride in Vista Engine 141, get your blood pressure checked by our EMTs, and more.

New training recently received by some of Lewisboro’s police officers now allows them to conduct roadside sobriety tests rather than rely on outside agencies as has been done for the last few years. (Reece Alvarez)

At approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, Madeleine Daoust, 53, of Yorktown was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop by Lewisboro police for littering.

According to police, Ms. Daoust was observed on Route 35 near the Town Park throwing a cigarette pack from her car and was pulled over. Officers suspected she was intoxicated and administered a breathalyzer test.

Ms. Daoust had a blood-alcohol content of o.11% — above the legal limit of .08% — and is scheduled to appear in Lewisboro Court on Oct. 13.

New training

The arrest is significant as it marks the return of Lewisboro officers conducting roadside sobriety tests rather than relying on outside agencies, Police Chief Frank Secret said.

“In the past year we have gone to outside agencies and had one of their breathalyzer operators administer. We kept the arrests, but we still had to rely on other agencies for different parts. Now we don’t; we can handle this from A to Z,” he told The Ledger.

The change comes as full-time officers have joined the police force in the last few years and have recently received specialized training to perform roadside sobriety tests and use breathalyzer equipment.

The Planning Board last week approved the administrative handling of the South Salem Fire Department’s application for a wetland activity permit to install a dry hydrant on Boway Road, forgoing any public hearing or further review by the board.

The South Salem firehouse

That brings the number of hydrants to be installed this year to five, and a total of 10 since the department first identified the need to repair and replace its aging dry hydrant infrastructure in 2013.

“As one of the people in the South Salem Fire Department district, I am really glad these guys are doing this,” Janet Anderson, co-chair of the town’s Conservation Advisory Council, said at the board’s Oct. 7 meeting. “I know it is a lot of work but I think it is really a great step — I am so grateful.”

Michael Lombardi, one of the South Salem Fire District’s five commissioners, said five new hydrants are expected to be installed this year in local ponds, with an upcoming installation on Adams Hill Road and the final installation of 2014 at the Boway Road location.

According to Mr. Lombardi, in 2013 three dry hydrants received major repairs, including locations on Oscaleta Road, Silkman Lane and at the South Salem firehouse on Route 35. In addition, two new dry hydrants were installed — one near Gilbert Street and Indian Lane on Lake Truesdale, and a second dry hydrant added at the firehouse pond.

Known need

Dry hydrants differ from traditional hydrants, as they draw water from natural water sources. Mr. Lombardi said the need for repairing and improving the more than 30-year-old hydrant infrastructure was clear after the January 2012 fire that ravaged Dr. Peter Treyz’s home on Twin Lakes Road, which was not helped by a significant shortage of water despite being so close to Lake Waccabuc.

“Water, water everywhere but not a drop to put on a fire,” Dr. Treyz lamented in a letter to The Ledger thanking the community for its support following the destruction of his home.

An ensuing study commissioned by the fire department determined a need for repairing the ailing hydrants, which has since required numerous visits to the Planning Board for approval for wetland activity permits and the permission of homeowners, as well as some locations that require permits from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Army Corps of Engineers.

Mr. Lombardi thanked the Planning Board and community members who have supported the South Salem Fire District’s efforts to expand the department’s water supply and help safeguard the community.

“More dry hydrant projects will continue to be completed each year,” he said. “They are vital for fire protection in our community.”

The Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) recently began billing insurance companies for its services as fund-raising events like the upcoming annual country auction have begun to fall short of meeting the needs of a modern EMS service. (Courtesy of LVAC)

The Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) is preparing to hold its annual country auction next week, on Saturday, Nov. 1 — one of its critical fund-raising events that has helped keep the all-volunteer organization serving the community for more than 35 years and is needed now more than ever as LVAC works to keep pace with the demands of modern emergency care.

“The truth of the matter is that we needed a way to supplement our expenses because fund raising alone wasn’t allowing us to cover all the costs of the ambulance corps,” said LVAC president Ann Hirsch. “This last year alone we have done blood sugar testing and Narcan [anti-overdose]. We are constantly adding more things to our repertoire and there are more expenses with being able to provide good care.”

In addition to maintaining a constant cycle of repair and replacement for equipment, a fund-raising event like the auction allows the completely self-funded organization to maintain and expand its services for Lewisboro.

Recently the emergency medical responders added more equipment and training, including blood sugar metering devices and Narcan, a life-saving drug that is able to reverse a drug overdose.

“If in fact someone is suffering an overdose, it is a very quick acting thing and you can save someone,” said LVAC captain Bob Stoddard.

But maintaining a fleet and team of responders that can deliver life-saving treatment across the 29-square-mile expanse of Lewisboro is an expense that has become harder to bear over time, Ms. Hirsch said.

“All of our equipment is getting older,” she said. “Everything has a shelf life and has to be replaced on a regular basis — that is required by the Department of Health.”

For example, epinephrine delivery devices, a small but important tool first responders carry to treat severe and life-threatening allergic reactions, cost the corps more than $4,000 a year and this is just one of many pieces of equipment or medication that needs to be replaced on a yearly basis, she said.

End of an era

Although LVAC has been able to survive for nearly four decades through the donation of time and money from community donors and volunteers, the amount of funds it is able to raise has been outpaced by the needs of a modern EMS service and has led the organization to recently drop its long-held title as one of the last few free EMS services in Westchester County.

“It is a sign of the times,” Mr. Stoddard said. “If you don’t have insurance you will not be billed. Whatever we can get from insurance is what we will accept.”

Depending on medical services received, emergency transportation can cost between $500 and $1,000, Ms. Hirsch said.

Even with the increased funding from billing insurance companies, events like next week’s auction remain vital to supporting LVAC, Ms. Hirsch said.

The auction on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Waccabuc Country Club will feature live music and big-ticket items such as tickets to professional baseball and hockey events, a grandfather clock, foosball table and more — all items being either new or lightly used and donated by the community.

Last year’s auction helped the corps secure a new ambulance, as well as hydraulic stretchers, with the focus this year on replacing and adding more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the corps’ repertoire.

“We do have some great donors that are very supportive and always give, but it is getting harder because the cost of things is getting more expensive,” Ms. Hirsch said. “We are still reliant on people’s kindness and donations to operate this service.”

For more information on LVAC or its auction, visit lewisborovac.org.

The Goldens Bridge Fire Department suffered an electrical fire in February 2014 that left the building mostly unusable, and with many months passing without any sign of reconstruction, the future of the building has come into question. (Al Melillo)

Eight months later, the building looks the same. Roof ripped open, façade blackened, bay door boarded up and fenced off. Physical appearances make it seem as if time has passed by the Goldens Bridge firehouse following the February 2014 blaze that left the structure severely damaged and the department reeling. But as they do when responding to a call, members of the fire department and fire district have adjusted to their new surroundings and made the best of a less than ideal situation.

Department and district leaders sat down with The Ledger recently to update the community on the progress being made in rebuilding, as well as to address major questions that remain unanswered.

Temporary home

According to an investigation narrative report from the Westchester County Arson Task Force, the fire was the result of a malfunction in one of the department’s Chevy Suburbans.

“It is probable that the fire originated in this vehicle and progressed as noted, due to an electrical malfunction within the vehicle,” according to the Feb. 24, 2014, report.

The Goldens Bridge Fire Department is operating out of a temporary shed after its firehouse was severely burned in a fire in February. (Matt Spillane)

While the damaged firehouse sits in limbo, the department is operating out of a trailer and large shed in the parking lot, both of which are being paid for by the insurance carriers, according to Fire Commissioner Ed Brancati. The shed currently houses four vehicles and one boat, as well as other equipment, while the trailer has office and meeting space. One truck is still being kept in the firehouse, though Mr. Brancati said the department’s members try not to enter the firehouse unless necessary.

The idea for the shed was inspired by the Katonah Fire Department, which used a similar structure while it had work done on the floors of its firehouse. While the shed and trailer don’t offer the same amenities as the firehouse — no spacious meeting room, no kitchen, no weight room — the department and district members seem to have adjusted well to their makeshift setup. But the big question remains: What will become of the firehouse?

At this point all options are on the table. Progress has been stalled by the insurance process, which is running its course as the insurance company decides what will and won’t be paid for. Goldens Bridge leaders are left without much to do other than be patient.

“I’ve got to tell you, it’s been frustrating,” Mr. Brancati said. “I know it’s got to be frustrating for people driving by every day, you don’t seem to see much of a change. The number of hours consumed in meetings since this event is just staggering.”

Mr. Brancati said it has not yet been decided whether the firehouse will be merely renovated or completely rebuilt, and it is unclear when that decision, let alone construction, will happen.

“That’s the million-dollar question,” he said. “The [district] board is reluctant to spend a dime that the insurance company is not going to sign off on. If we could just get back to what we had, we’d be happy. We’re not looking for the Taj Mahal or anything like that. There are complications, make no mistake about that. You’re not going to get back the building exactly the way it was, because the codes don’t allow you to do that; the building was built in 1968.”

Mr. Brancati would not identify the insurance carriers involved, or comment on how the district would pay for any costs that may not be covered by the insurance carriers. The time frame for next steps remains murky.

Moving forward

While Capt. Mike Melillo was able to get several vehicles out of the firehouse, the February fire took with it a full-size rescue truck, two chiefs’ Chevy Suburbans, and a historical 1942 Willys Jeep. The remaining fleet includes two Ford Explorers, one Chevy Suburban, a mini pumper/engine truck, two full-size pumper/engine trucks, one tanker truck, and a boat for ice and water rescue.

One of the lost Suburbans was replaced with a new Ford Explorer that was purchased by the department’s members with their own money, and the department is currently waiting for the delivery of a new mini utlity vehicle.

Mr. Brancati and First Assistant Chief Al Melillo said that before the February fire the district was considering consolidating its fleet. As one of its trucks — a 1968 engine — ages out, and with the loss of its full-size rescue truck, the district’s leaders have been discussing combining the functions of those two vehicles into one new truck, a move that could save money and create a more efficient, high-tech engine/rescue truck.

In addition to the lost vehicles, the blaze destroyed various pieces of valuable equipment, according to Al Melillo, including a couple of dozen pairs of turnout gear for firefighters, more than $100,000 of inventory from the lost rescue truck, support ropes, and sleds and suits for ice rescue, among other items. Due to the customized nature of many of those items, district leaders said, it can take months to get replacements delivered.

Despite all that was lost, the department has continued training its members and serving the community. Department leaders said its members have responded to about 150 calls since the fire, and continue to drill every Tuesday night on the premises. Three new members have joined the department since the fire, adding to the 50-plus volunteers currently serving.

Al and Mike Melillo and Mr. Brancati credited neighboring fire departments and fire equipment companies for their generosity immediately after the blaze, support that allowed Goldens Bridge to return to responding like normal within a month afterward.

As autumn fades to winter, members of the district and department are focused on finding common ground with the insurance carriers and taking the next step to normalcy.

“We’ve blown this construction season, clearly,” Mr. Brancati said. “We can spend the bad weather months drawing specs … out on the street, select vendors. It’s going to be expensive. We’re just looking to make sure the insurance company does right by us. We don’t have a preference [for renovating or rebuilding]. We just want to get back to the operations that we have, serving the community as qucikly as possible.”

The home at 33 Hillside Avenue was completely destroyed by the Oct. 28 fire, which is still under investigation. (Photo courtesy of Goldens Bridge FD)

Investigators are looking into the cause of a late-night fire that left a vacant home in Goldens Bridge in a pile of rubble on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The home, at 33 Hillside Avenue in the Goldens Bridge Colony, burned to the ground around 11:30 p.m. as firefighters from Goldens Bridge, South Salem, Katonah, Vista, Somers, and Croton Falls responded.

The house was unoccupied and there were no injuries, according to the Goldens Bridge Fire Department, and about 15,000 gallons of water were used for fire suppression and overhaul.

According to Zillow.com, the two-bedroom home was listed for sale at $130,000 and had been on the market for 417 days. The house was owned by Stuart Pinnetti, according to Lewisboro’s 2014 tentative assessment roll.

State police said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Lewisboro police offer tips for a safe Halloween. (Scott Mullin)

In anticipation of safe and enjoyable Halloween festivities for all residents, Lewisboro Police Chief Frank Secret spoke with The Ledger to review the dos and don’ts for trick-or-treaters and mischief night perpetrators.

Starting with trick-or-treaters, accompaniment is essential for a safe and happy Halloween, and all residents walking around town at night are urged to bring flashlights, particularly as dark-costumed individuals are difficult to see at night.

“It is hard for them to understand how the cars can’t see them at night,” Chief Secret said. “They don’t stick out well.”

Trick-or-treating in a group or at the very least a pair is also a great way to increase your visibility and safety, he said.

Those on the hunt for candy are also urged to consider wearing face paint rather than masks as they can often hinder one’s ability to see.

As a rule Chief Secret said unlit houses or homes not participating in the festivities should be left alone, and he reminded trick-or-treaters that trespassing is still a crime on Halloween.

“Not everyone participates in Halloween,” he said. “If there are no lights on don’t go there and never go into a house unless it is somebody you know very well.”

In regards to candy, no unwrapped candy or non-pre-packaged items should be accepted and should be thrown out.

“The rule of thumb is you always have a parent check the candy first,” he said.

Mischief night

While Chief Secret can not recall Halloween accidents during his time with the local police, there have been arrests made in recent years for what some may think are harmless pranks but are seen by others, including the police, as vandalism or assault.

“Teens have to understand this is not a night where you are allowed to vandalize property,” he said. “It is still against the law whether it is called mischief night or whatever — it is not an excuse. If you want to put shaving cream on a friend that’s fine, but as soon as you start spraying on someone’s car or someone who doesn’t want to be that is when you can start getting into trouble.”

He cautions potential vandals that extra patrols will be out around the holiday and private communities such as Oakridge in Vista and The Meadows in Cross River hire their own private security services.

“I wish everybody a safe and happy Halloween, but we don’t want to see anybody getting hurt,” he said.

Multiple weather reports indicate this Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31, will be a fair night with temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s, with a chance of rain later in the evening.

A Lewisboro man was arrested recently after allegedly dropping down from the ceiling to steal money from his former employer.

Josef Steger, 18, of South Salem was arrested by state police on Friday, Oct. 24, and charged with third-degree burglary, a class D felony, for allegedly breaking into Cap’s Deli on Spring Street and taking off with about $100.

New York state police

A manager at the deli called Lewisboro police on Friday, Oct. 24, after an empoyee noticed that money was missing from the cash register.

The manager then checked the store’s video surveillance system and saw that someone entered the store around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday after it was closed.

A state police investigator then took over and said that Mr. Steger, a former employee at the deli, entered the building through an upstairs door that leads to the attic, and that Mr. Steger then dropped down to the main floor through an old air vent that was an open hole in the ceiling.

Someone may be charged with third-degree burglary for knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime.

This 42-foot demonstration fire engine, which includes a 100-foot aerial ladder, is the prospective truck the South Salem Fire District is seeking to purchase. (Reece Alvarez)

The South Salem Fire District has issued notices that it intends to purchase the 42 foot fire engine that has been debated and questioned over the last few months by residents, firefighters and members of the district’s board of commissioners.

The district is seeking to purchase a $750,000, 100 foot rear mount quint ladder truck, a 42 foot long truck that features a 100 foot extendable and powered aerial ladder, which would provide the South Salem Fire Department with new abilities as well as adding additional ground ladders and water capacity to conduct fire rescue and fire attack operations.

The district issued a notice in October indicating that it would pay for the truck with $600,000 from its capital reserve fund — a reserve that currently totals $808,059. Additional funds for the truck are being sought through a municipal lease financing agreement for a total of $250,000.

In addition, the district announced that the resolution passed on Oct. 13, stating the district’s intent to purchase the truck, is subject to a permissive referendum, which gives residents served by the district 30 days from Oct. 13 to submit a petition calling for a public vote on the purchase.

The petition must represent one-quarter of the fire district’s tax base, and if not submitted, the decision to purchase the fire truck by the five-person district board of commissioners would stand.

The Goldens Bridge Fire Department is operating out of a temporary shed after its firehouse was severely burned in a fire in February. (Matt Spillane)

Winter waits for no one, something the Goldens Bridge firefighters are acutely aware of as they prepare for their first winter in their temporary garage.

With the firehouse on Route 138 still uninhabitable after a destructive blaze last February, the fire department’s volunteers are winterizing their interim home on the property, which includes a garage and trailer.

Firefighters are taking various measures for the cold months, including installing an emergency power generator and hot-air furnaces, according to a department press release.

“Action is being taken to winterize the cavernous garage before the onset of winter. This is extremely important to the department’s operations,” said Edward Brancati, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Goldens Bridge Fire District. “With the insurance claims process dragging on longer than anyone could have imagined, even if we received the green light today to rebuild, it’s not a project that would start in the middle of winter. So we have to prepare the facilities that are available to us.”

According to First Assistant Chief Al Melillo, a climate-controlled environment is essential to emergency equipment and personnel.

“Climate control is critical to the optimal functioning of our vehicles and all emergency equipment, gear and apparatus,” he said. “These important winterization measures also ensure appropriate conditions for department members during on-site training exercises, meetings and other activities integral to the services we provide to the community.”

Over the last two weeks, the department purchased and installed two 150,000-BTU hot-air furnaces, which will blow heat through the 50-foot-by-80-foot garage.

In addition, four 200-gallon propane tanks were installed outside the facility to power the furnaces inside.

Volunteers are also working on installing a diesel-powered emergency power generator to ensure that the temporary garage will have electricity even during power outages.

Baldwin Electric Co., based in Mt. Kisco, provided the electrical portion of the services at no cost to the department, an “extraordinary act of generosity,” according to department officials.

“No matter the weather conditions, having an emergency power source at the temporary garage will ensure prompt and professional service and response to all of the emergency needs of our community throughout the winter,” Mr. Melillo said.

Lewisboro police helped lock up a Bedford man last week after he was found with 130 bags of heroin in South Salem.

Michael Hall, 26, was arrested on Route 35 on Friday, Nov. 14, at 2:40 p.m. He was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.

Michael Hall

Mr. Hall was arrested after a lengthy investigation by Lewisboro and Westchester County police, according to a press release from the county. In October, Lewisboro Police Officer David Alfano discovered information about drug activity occurring in South Salem. A joint investigation from task force of officers from Lewisboro and the county police Narcotics Unit was then started.

Lewisboro Police Chief Frank Secret told The Ledger on Thursday, Nov. 20, that Mr. Hall was renting part of a house in South Salem and was “known to us. We were already looking at the place when the public kind of said there’s something going on.”

Last Friday Mr. Hall was in possession of 130 glassine envelopes of heroin. The heroin sells on the street for $10 to $20 per bag, according to the county. Chief Secret said that his department had never dealt with a narcotics case involving such a high quantity of a deadly drug such as heroin. He said the investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Hall was booked at county police headquarters in Hawthorne and arraigned later that day in Lewisboro Town Court. Bail was set at $100,000 bail and he was sent to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, where he was still located as of the morning on Thursday, Nov. 20.

“The county police Narcotics Unit continues to work with multiple police departments around northern Westchester to combat the distribution and sale of heroin in our communities,” said Commissioner George N. Longworth of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.

On Dec. 9 fire districts throughout the state, including those in Lewisboro and Katonah, will hold elections for positions on board of commissioners and district business. (Flikr user zamboni-man)

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, fire districts throughout the state will hold their own election day, including Goldens Bridge, South Salem, Vista, and Katonah, which work together to keep their departments operating and Lewisboro and its neighbors safe year-round.

South Salem

Locally, South Salem is poised to have the most active election, as it is the only fire district with contested races for its board of commissioners, who serve five-year terms.

According to district secretary Neal Blum, three candidates have thrown their hats in the ring and will contend against one another for the seat held by board chairman Steve Angelilli, who told The Ledger that he will not be running for re-election.

Candidates for the board of commissioners must typically submit a petition signed by 25 residents from their fire district prior to Nov. 19, unless they wish to run as a write-in candidate, but South Salem allows a simple notice of intent.

Running for Mr. Angelilli’s seat are Peter Ciacci, Jared Harwayne-Gidansky and Glenn DeFaber.

Participation

Fire districts have told The Ledger that uncontested elections tend to draw low voter turnout — a few dozen residents — while contested elections have drawn upwards of 200 voters.

“Typically turnout is low — 30 or 40 — and that is the high side,” said Adam Ochs, chairman of the Vista Fire District. “There have been years when it jumped up to 100 when it is contested.”

Mr. Ochs is the only member of the Vista board of commissioners that is up for re-election this year, and he has yet to be opposed.

In Katonah, fire district commissioner Jeffrey Kellogg will be running for re-election and has yet to be opposed as well.

Races for seats on the board of commissioners in the Goldens Bridge Fire District are also currently uncontested, with Tom Beneventano running for re-election and district secretary Joann Vasi running to continue serving as a fire commissioner after she was appointed two years ago following the mid-term departure of fire commissioner Steve Mines.

Ms. Vasi’s term would be for three years, the remainder of Mr. Mines’ term.

Regardless of whether races are contested, elections also include department business and items like South Salem’s request for a $250,000 municipal lease financing agreement for the purchase of a fire truck, and residents are urged to participate in their local fire district elections.

“Like any facet of town government or government, the fire district levies taxes and has a public trust to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is used appropriately, and therefore the well-informed person — like wanting to know who is on the town board or school board — should also be aware of how their fire protection is delivered,” said Henry Bergson, a commissioner with the Katonah Fire District for nearly 25 years. “It’s pennies per day compared to school and town budgets, but it is still real money, and the informed taxpayer should be aware that their money is being spent appropriately.”

Mr. Bergson added that in his cumulative experience since joining the department in 1972, he has seen the department and district benefit from a board of commissioners with mixed backgrounds and perspectives, and he emphasized that candidates need not be department members in order to serve as a commissioner and help guide the district.

“We have been very lucky over the years that we have had a well-rounded board of commissioners,” he said. “Some of the people are ex-chiefs, some are rank-and-file firemen, but we have been lucky for the last 50 years to always have a candidate who is a civilian or a member of the community to make sure we are getting that point of view.”

Polls will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at each respective firehouse on Tuesday, Dec. 9.