FLY CREEK-Earlier this month, Mark Weir won the election for Fly Creek Fire District Commissioner over current Commissioner, Jim Hotaling, by a vote of 99 to 15 in one of the largest voter turnouts in recent memory.

Weir, a former member and chairman of the Otsego County Tax Grievance Board for over 10 years, said he ran for the position because he sees the need for change within the department.

"There is a great deal of people that are upset," Weir said. "We would like to see some accountability."

Weir, who begins his term on Jan. 5, said he intends to review department documents, such as purchasing receipts, fire board meeting minutes and inventory records. He said he feels the annual tax bill generated from the department may be excessive in comparison to its coverage.

"My intention is to try to bring this into the open and turn this into a taxpayers' fire department," Weir said.

The fire district budgeted $96,663 for itself this year.

Fire Chief Jim Pernat said the budget has been the same for the last few years. He said he feels it is not excessive because it is consistent with the budgets of the surrounding town's fire departments.

Fire Commissioner Chairperson Patty Pernat, also Jim's wife, said most of the money spent each year pays off loans on the fire department building and one of the trucks. It pays for insurance on the building, the vehicles, and the firefighters.

In addition, the district has been putting $35,000 aside each year in the hope of avoiding a loan and interest when it becomes time buy a new fire truck.

Patty also stressed the importance of equipping their firefighters with safe, workable gear.

"We're going to make sure they have the right equipment," she said.

She said the cost of outfitting one firefighter is over $1,500.

Patty acknowledged that the budget was lower in past years, but, at that time the department could not always be sure it would have enough funding to effectively do its job.

Three of the five fire commissioners are currently firefighters. When Weir takes over in January, there will be only two. Weir thinks it is a conflict of interest to have commissioners who are also firefighters within the department.

"We've had a hard time getting people to run [for a commissioner position]," Pernat said. "So the firefighters took interest in it."

Weir said residents have expressed other concerns, worrying that the first responders unit had been driven out by other members of the department.

Pernat said that New York State now requires more training for first responders than it has in the past, discouraging new first responders from joining the department and causing others to leave. First responders need more training than regular firefighters, he said.

"People do not want to put in the time and training anymore," Pernat said.

Pernat said the first responders left the department over the years for various personal reasons.

In addition to the loss of the first responders, the number of active firefighters within the department is also down. The minutes from the October Town of Otsego Town Board meeting stated that Julie Pernat, firefighting daughter of Jim and Patty, said there were approximately six active members in the department.

Jim Pernat said, however, that this figure was incorrect. He said there are presently about 20 active members within the department, with six new members joining just this past summer.

Weir said he has a list of nearly 15 people who want to join the department, but have not because they do not agree with how it is currently run.

"If existing control of the department were to change, others would join," Weir said.

"All area fire departments are down in numbers [compared to previous years]," Pernat said. "But we are proud of ourselves."

Last year, Weir's neighbor's barn caught fire and Weir said he was home to witness the event. He said he thought the response time of the department may have been slow.

"I have pictures of firemen sitting and standing [while the fire is burning]," Weir said. "It's hard to pass judgment when I'm not a fireman, though. But if I had a fire, I would request Cooperstown."

Pernat said, although a couple department members were out of town that evening, he was pleased with the amount of time it took his crew to arrive at the scene.

"I thought we did good," Pernat said.

Pernat said his dispatch records indicate that the distress call was received at 5:58 p.m., department members were paged at 5:59 p.m. and his men arrived at the blaze at 6:10 p.m.

He said he did not see how the department could have acted any quicker, but he understands Weir's frustration. Pernat said it is common for people to become upset with the fire department when they or someone they know loses property to a fire.

Pernat said Wier's own barn was close to his neighbor's burning barn, but his department took the necessary precautions to make sure the fire did not spread.

Weir said the fire near his property was the deciding factor in his decision to run as commissioner.

Pernat said fire coverage is not a large problem within the district. He said having low numbers puts a strain on firefighters, but he thinks his department's response to area fires is adequate.

"I really appreciate that everyone helped out," Weir said. "The people did not vote against Jim [Hotaling]. I think they voted against the existing situation at the station."

The Pernats said they are upset with the recent complaints and rumors about the department.

"We are a function of the community," Jim Pernat said. "If anyone wants to call and speak to us, they can. But no one ever calls. We are doing this for no pay, except for maybe a pat on the back. This unfounded criticism hurts."

"We are always looking for new members-the door is always open," Patty Pernat said. "Being a fireman involves a lot of work and sometimes involves risking your life. Maybe those who complain can put their effort into something better, and join."