786 Charlton Road, Charlton New York 12019,
Saratoga County bordering Schenectady County.

Please email us with any comments!

HELP WANTED

The pay is poor, but the benefits are GREAT! Come and join us & help your community at the same time. Stop by any Monday night for an application or call Dean DeCapria 384-0963 or 857-5210.

We all received a card in the mail Thursday from "Concerned Citizens of Charlton". While we appreciate any constructive help, mailing incorrect and misleading information does not assist anyone in casting an informed vote on the proposed new firehouse.

To update and clarify the mailing, the following is being offered:

» Building & Site Construction $2.8 million
Fact: The actual cost is not known. This is the current estimate from our Construction Management advisors, who are familiar with the costs necessary to construct all elements of the Project designed or specified by the Architect and include all the contractors' general conditions costs, overhead and profit, since this is a public works project that must meet Wicks Law requirements and be publicly bid and awarded to the lowest qualified contractors.

» Land purchase $165,000 for 5 acres
Fact: The site previously turned down following aggressive, negative campaigning was only $95,000. The purchase of the land was from the land account.

» New fire trucks, equipment and furnishings. No information supplied.
Fact: No information was requested. No new trucks, equipment and furnishings are involved, as the "Concerned Citizens of Charlton" are well aware. This vote is strictly regarding the new and badly needed firehouse. Please note that when we need a new truck they will be more expensive if they have to be customized to fit into the present firehouse or less expensive if be buy "off the shelf" and it will fit in the new firehouse.

»True increase in utilities and maintenance of the 10,000sf new building
Fact: The costs should decrease. We expect utility costs to decrease as the new building will be Significantly more energy efficient. In any case, they will be covered from the operating budget, not the construction budget.

» Why has the tax rate been at maximum allowed over operating budget and surplus put into "reserve fund" totaling over $650,000+. What is the money for?
Fact: Similar to West Charlton & Harmony we have found we need the full tax rate to cover our costs. There is no reserve fund, we do not know where a figure of $650,000 came from and are concerned that these "Concerned Citizens of Charlton" who are welcome at our budget meetings, are only spreading misinformation.

As of July 7th we have $97,427.15 in our land account, which funds the preliminary design, Compliance, and legal work required for developing the proposed new building. Once again, this public record, available in our budget and we wonder why this is even on the mailing.

» Your total cost to have a 2.8 million dollar facility: ________/1000 = __________ x 2.20 =___________ x 25 years =___________ Your assessed value divided by 1k proposed fire tax rate bond duration your total individual cost

Fact: ________/1000 = __________ x 2.2072.35 cents=___________ x 25 years =___________ Your assessed value divided by 1k proposed fire tax rate bond duration your total individual cost

The "Concerned Citizens of Charlton" apparently included the yearly operating costs of $1.47 (this year) to inflate your building cost. Please note the $1.47 varies from year to year and is not directly controlled or set by the fire district.

We are concerned that the above represents a deliberate distortion of the facts to scare you into voting against our badly needed building which we feel was clearly defined to the public at our most recent information meeting to set the facts straight. If you have ANY questions and would like honest answers, please contact your firemen or anyone on the board.