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See who’s running Tuesday for fire district commissioner

Wading_River_firehouse

Voters in local fire districts will go to polls Tuesday, Dec. 8, to vote for fire commissioners. Wading River is the only local district with a contested election.

The elected commissioners run the fire district, which sets the budget and related taxes for the fire department.

While fire chiefs are chosen by department members only, all registered voters can cast ballots for commissioners.

• In Wading River, incumbent Mike Harrigan is being challenged for a five-year term by Jim Meier, a former commissioner who lost his bid for re-election in 2014. Voting is open from 2 to 9 p.m. at fire headquarters, 1503 North Country Road.

• In Riverhead, incumbent John Tradeski Jr. is running unopposed for a five-year term. Voting runs from 1 to 9 p.m. at the main firehouse, 540 Roanoke Ave.

• In Jamesport, two incumbent commissioners are running unopposed. Lee Anthony is seeking a five-year term and Harold “Duffy” Griffiths III is running to complete the remaining three years of the term vacated by Joel Lazarus, to which he was appointed. Polls will be open from 3 to 9 p.m. at the firehouse, 25 Manor Lane.

• In Flanders, incumbent Joe Cavaluzzi chose not to seek re-election and Frank Belson will run unopposed for a five-year term. The firehouse, on Firehouse Lane off Flanders Road, will be open for voting from 6 to 9 p.m.

• In Manorville, incumbent William Hille is unopposed in his bid for a five-year term. Voting takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. at the firehouse, 14 Silas Carter Road.

The Manorville ballot also carries a proposition about whether to amend the district’s Length of Service Award Program by raising the maximum service award available to participants from $20 per month to $30 per month.

The award program, which is aimed at facilitating department recruitment, provides qualified volunteers with pension-like payments based on the duration of their service.

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Photo: Wading River fire department. (Credit: News-Review, file)