Town of Hague Proposal One: service award program for volunteer firefighters

The question, as printed on the ballot

The Town Board of the Town of Hague, County of Warren, State of New York, adopted a resolution on March 10, 2026 to establish a defined Benefit Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) as described in Section 219 of the general municipal law for active volunteers of the Hague Volunteer Fire Department. The LOSAP would be administered by the Town and be effective January 1, 2027. The LOSAP would provide a lifetime monthly service award to each active volunteer who earns 50 or more points under the point system. The formula to determine the service award is $20 per month for each year of qualifying service, up to a maximum of $1000, payable at age 55. Death and disability benefits are payable for qualifying participants. Benefits are authorized to commence effective January 1, 2028 as funding is available. Active volunteers may also be eligible to receive up to 5 years of prior service credit for each of the five calendar years immediately preceding calendar year 2027, provided the volunteer earns 50 points in calendar year 2027 or 2028. The annual cost of the LOSAP, beginning in calendar year 2027, is estimated to be $62,000 which includes annual administrative fees of approximately $7,000. The average cost per participating volunteer is $3,875. The estimated annual cost is expected to decrease by about $17,000 after the prior service cost has been paid in ten years. Shall the stated resolution of the Town Board be approved?