SCOTIA — Financial uncertainties face the fire department, a village trustee acknowledged, but seeking outside management help may not be the answer.

Other trustees at a hearing on whether to allow a management change in the department expressed worry about taking that direction without a specific plan in hand. The village Board of Trustees on Wednesday postponed action on a proposal to change the village code to allow contracting for fire management services.

Mayor Kris Kastberg had proposed the change, saying he wanted to give the village added flexibility to explore its options.

Deputy Mayor Joe Rizzo said he has been speaking with people in the village who opposed the idea and believe the fire department officials can manage their own affairs.

“If we do this, it is opening a door that we may not be able to close,” he said.

Trustee Carol Carpenter said she agreed the village had to explore its options, especially in light of the fact that the Scotia Fire Department may lose the contract for Fire District 4.

The town of Glenville controls District 4 and awards a contract for fire coverage, which Scotia has received for the past several years. However, the town is considering abolishing the current district and creating a new district that would encompass the village and what is District 4.

“If this occurs, the village is going to lose over $300,000 from its budget,” Carpenter said. “Ultimately, that’s going to result in a larger increase in taxes for our residents or it’s going to result in diminished manpower for our fire department — neither of which I want to see happen.”

However, she said the board should table action on this resolution until a specific plan is in place.

During the public hearing, the Board of Trustees heard opposition from Tony Caliguire, who is on the executive committee of the Scotia Permanent Firemen’s Association.

“What is the village going to get when they hire an administrator or management service? What standards or qualifications are they going to have to meet?” he asked.

Fire Chief Richard Kasko said the village needs a professional chief who takes his career very seriously. He said that he frequently attends seminars and classes on his own time to gain knowledge.

“Opening the position up to anything you could find to fill the position will not guarantee that village residents or firefighters will find a chief dedicated to the career or the village of Scotia,” he said.

Kastberg, who had unsuccessfully proposed not funding Kasko’s salary of $70,000 in the recently passed budget, said people’s fears that the trustees would put an unqualified person or a political appointment in the position of fire chief are unfounded. However, he supported setting the matter aside.

The board voted 4-0 to table the proposal, and no further action was scheduled. Trustee Armon Benny was excused from the meeting because of a family situation.

ABSENTEE OWNERS

In other business, the board approved a new law that would require owners of rental property who live outside Scotia to provide the village with local contact information for use in emergencies. Kastberg said more than 500 properties fall into this category. The village will send out letters this week to get people registered even though the law will not take effect until June 1.

Also on Wednesday, the board:

u  Passed a bond resolution for $389,100 to finance projects including a pavilion for the Collins Park beach area, a 20-yard packer truck, new windows in the firehouse, an exhaust system and new garage doors for the Department of Public Works, sewer system equipment, leaf sweeper, tractor, mower and brush chipper.

u  Voted to increase the water rate by 7 percent and keep sewer rates unchanged.

u  Passed a new law that gives the village the authority to remove trees on private property that are overhanging public space and present a danger to public safety.