Setauket, Stony Brook Fire Commissioner Elections Today

On Tuesday, residents across Long Island will be voting for local fire district commissioners. For the Setauket and Stony Brook fire districts, here is a preview of these races.

Stony Brook Fire District

Two Stony Brook Fire Department members are running against each other for a five-year term: 20-year commissioner and 45-year member Dennis Callahan, and 33-year member Vinny Franco.

"My goal is to keep the taxes down as low as we can. That seems to be the big issue," Callahan said in an interview with Patch. According to Callahan, when he was first elected commissioner in 1990, the department purchased new equipment including four pumpers and one aerial ladder truck. "We completely turned our fleet around," he said.

At a recent meeting of the , Franco described himself as a self-employed businessman with the time and energy to devote to the post. He told the audience he supports efficient spending while maintaining the high level of service the department provides to its residents.

Residents can vote Tuesday between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Stony Brook Fire Department located at 147 Main Street, Stony Brook.      

Setauket Fire District

Commissioner William Pollina said an uncontested fire commissioner election is "not unusual." Tom Gallagher, a 24-year member of the Setauket Fire Department and longtime resident, is running unopposed for a five-year post as commissioner.

"I decided to run to foster a better working environment between the board, the chiefs and the community," Gallagher said. He has pledged to look into "what really needs to be done" while keeping taxes in mind during tough economic times.

Inside the fire department, Gallagher sits on the bylaws committee, which formulates a set of guidelines for the department members to follow. Outside of the department, he is a New York City Police Department detective.

"He has a pretty substantial grasp of the fire district," Pollina said.

Residents may vote Tuesday at the Setauket Fire Department Nicolls Road station from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.