Town of Somerset Proposition 1: service award program for Barker volunteer firefighters

The question, as printed on the ballot

Shall the Board Resolution of the Somerset Town Board, in the County of Niagara, New York, adopted July 8, 2026, entitled: "Board Resolution of the Somerset Town Board, in the County of Niagara, New York adopted July 8, 2026," authorizing the establishment of a defined benefit service award program (LOSAP) under General Municipal Law section 219 in the Town of Somerset Fire Protection District for the volunteer firefighters of Barker Fire Department Inc. stating that the LOSAP shall be administered by the Town of Somerset on behalf of Town of Somerset Fire Protection District; stating the estimated annual cost will be $96,000.00 based on the existing number of firefighters; stating that the annual tax rate to raise said $96,000.00 is estimated to be $0.54 per thousand of assessed valuation; stating the estimated annual administrative fee will be $3,500.00; stating the estimated annual cost per covered firefighter will be $2,285.00; stating that each eligible participant shall receive credit for up to five (5) qualified years of active Firefighting Service prior to the establishment of the LOSAP; stating that payment of the benefit shall be in the form of a life annuity with 120 payments guaranteed; stating death and disability payments to be authorized to commence upon the date of establishment of the LOSAP, and regular defined award payments to be authorized to commence one year thereafter, stating that the projected monthly award to be paid to eligible volunteer firefighters shall be $20.00 per month for each qualified year of active Firefighting Service, not to exceed 20 years, with payment in any month not to exceed $400.00, payment to commence when (1) the eligible volunteer firefighter reaches the stipulated entitlement age of 65 and has five years of qualified active Firefighting Service or (2) the eligible volunteer firefighter reaches the stipulated entitlement age of 65 and thereafter completes one year of active Firefighting Service, after payments commence, the amount of payment will increase by $20.00 per month for each additional year of active Firefighting Service, subject to the $400.00 monthly "cap" be approved?