Lumberland voters reject referendum

By SANDY LONG

GLEN SPEY, NY — The length of service award program (LOSAP) referendum that appeared on the ballot in the Town of Lumberland during its February 5 primary election was defeated by a vote of 248 against and 178 in favor.

Approval of the LOSAP program would have provided benefits of $30 per month per year of service to firemen and emergency personnel upon retirement and would have resulted in a tax increase as well.

Town supervisor John LiGreci said that residents are very concerned about rising taxes, based on comments and questions he receives as supervisor and at town meetings. “The firemen do a great job, but people are already concerned about getting taxed out of their homes,” said LiGreci, who described voter turnout as “unusually heavy for a referendum.”

The outcome of the vote left Ann Steimle, president of the Lumberland fire department, with the impression that the services provided by the fire department are poorly understood. “The town has no idea what we do and how many times a year we are faced with life-and-death situations that require a quick response and trained personnel. It’s a 24/7 job, 365 days of the year.” Steimle urged anyone with questions related to the LOSAP program to contact the fire department directly.

For more information on this issue, see the Editorial section.