Suffolk fire district vote preview

Voters in more than 120 fire districts across Long Island go to the polls Tuesday to select commissioners who collectively control more than $320 million in spending and set tax levies.

The districts are independent public taxing agencies, and their commissioners collect no salaries. The commissioners are responsible for drafting district budgets, determining fire protection policies and buying equipment. The districts raise operating funds mostly through property taxes.

Residents in Tuesday's elections do not vote for budgets as they do in school district elections; fire district budgets were adopted by the boards of commissioners last month.

Following a 2005 Newsday series that revealed excessive and unaccountable spending by some fire districts, state laws were enacted mandating more transparency in district operations, including having all districts hold elections on the second Tuesday in December. A handful of barrier beach districts in Suffolk -- Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park, Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines -- were allowed to hold elections in July.

More than 180 candidates are running for more than 130 district commissioner seats up for grabs.

Following is district-by-district information about budgets adopted by commissioners for 2013, the names of candidates running and polling times for Suffolk County districts. Information on Nassau County districts appears here: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/nassau-fire-district-vote-preview-1.4304661.

For polling locations, check district websites or call the districts.

Commack adopted a $4.14 million budget, a 2.9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Thomas McFadzen is running against Mary Ryan. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Copiague adopted a $3.32 million budget, a 1.9 percent increase over the current budget. Julian Wellington and Carl Lombardo are vying for one seat. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m. There is a proposition on the ballot to buy a pumper, a rescue vehicle and an ambulance at a total cost of no more than $1.5 million.

Coram adopted a $5.4 million budget, a $473 decrease from the current budget. Incumbent Timony Heidrich is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Cutchogue adopted a $1.3 million budget, a 2.1 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Sandy Friemann is being challenged by Jeff Smith. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Deer Park adopted a $3.3 million budget, a 4 percent increase over the current budget. Christopher Schiavo is running unopposed for a five-year term. Michael DelBalso is running unopposed for a one-year term to fill the spot Thomas Donnelly left vacant when he became a Babylon town councilman. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Dix Hills adopted a $4.7 million budget, a 2 percent increase over the current budget. Todd Cohen and Salvatore Vitellaro are vying for one seat. There is a proposition on the ballot to increase from 30 to 40 the number of years for which a firefighter can get credit for the length of service award program; the district estimates the annual cost of the program would go from $200,000 to $260,000 annually. Voting is from 4 to 9 p.m.

East Brentwood adopted a $1.07 million budget that is unchangedfrom the current budget. Incumbent Steve Grammenos is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

East Islip adopted a budget of $2.45 million, a 1.2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Michael Montuori is being challenged by Richard Fox and Peter Peluso. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

East Marion adopted a $610,783 budget, a 5.4 percent increase over the current budget. Laura Fauteux is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

East Moriches adopted an $800,000 budget, a 1.9 percent increase from the 2012 adopted budget. Thaddeus T. Brandt III and Glenn M. Maningo are vying for one seat. John S. Hulse and Eugene R. Smith are vying for another. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

East Northport adopted a $3.7 million budget, a 2.1 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Nicholas Macedonio is being challenged by Michael Vespier. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

East Quogue adopted a $1.23 million budget, a 2.94 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Jonathan Erwin is being challenged by Michael Kohler. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Eastport adopted a $1 million budget, a 4.9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Harry Pomasanoff is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Eatons Neck adopted a $584,008 budget, a 2 percent increase over the current budget. Phil Whiter is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Fair Harbor adopted a $445,200 budget, a 12.6 percent increase over the current budget. Information on candidates and voting hours was not available.

Farmingville adopted a $3.63 million budget, a 21.8 percent increase over the current budget. George Tierney is running unopposed for a one-year seat and Joaquim Da Silva is running unopposed for a five-year seat. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Fishers Island adopted a $395,200 budget, a 0.3 percent hike over the current plan. Vote from 6 to 9 p.m. Details on candidates were not available.

Flanders adopted a $674,050 budget, a 1.9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent David Schaffauer is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Gordon Heights adopted a $1.27 million budget, which is about the same as the current budget. Incumbent James Kelly is running against James Freeman and Joyce Bourne. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Great River adopted a $301,610 budget, a 0.2 percent decrease over the current budget. Timothy Ursprung and James Bishop are vying for one seat. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Greenlawn adopted a $2.5 million budget, a 2.7 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Lawrence Ancewicz is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hagerman adopted a $2.39 million budget, less than a 1 percent decrease from the current budget. Incumbent Randy Miller is running unopposed. Voting is from 5 to 9 p.m.

Halesite adopted a $1.6 million budget, a 7.8 percent increase over the current budget. Wayne Jeno is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hampton Bays adopted a $2.93 million budget, a 3.7 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Kevin Kenny is being challenged by Jeremy Brandt. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hauppauge adopted a $3.72 million budget, about a 2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Scott D. Munro is being challenged by John Marek. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Holbrook adopted a $3.45 million budget, a 1.7 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Michael J. Timo is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Holtsville adopted a $2.33 million budget, a 2.6 percent increase over the current budget. Joe Asaro is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Huntington adopted a $2.9 million budget, a 10.3 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Edmund M. Erickson is running unopposed. There is a proposition on the ballot for a $4.5 million bond for construction and repairs. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Huntington Manor adopted a $4.9 million budget, a 1.5 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Dane R. Martin is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Islip adopted a $3 million budget that is unchanged from the current budget. Incumbent Frederick Herrmann is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Islip Terrace adopted a $2.47 million budget, a 7.3 percent increase over the current budget. Robert Schmidt is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Jamesport adopted a $815,841 budget, a 2.02 percent increase over the current budget. Robert Sikora is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Kings Park adopted a $2.89 million budget, a 2.6 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Peter Laura is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Kismet adopted a $151,861 budget, a 2.3 percent decrease from the current budget. Incumbent Gary Leone is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Lake Ronkonkoma adopted a $3.15 million budget, a 6.8 percent increase over the current budget. Brian Cook, Richard Baake and Gerald Rudolph are vying for one seat. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Lakeland adopted a $2.59 million budget, a 5.1 percent decrease from the current budget. Incumbent Gerald V. O'Mara is being challenged by Theodore Imbasciani. Voting is from noon to 9 p.m.

Manorville adopted a $1.68 million budget, a 3 percent increase over the current budget. Thomas Costello is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Mastic adopted a $1.70 million budget, a 2.61 percent decrease from the current budget. George Zaglool and Michael Malone are running unopposed for two seats. Voting is from 5 to 9 p.m.

Mastic Beach adopted a $1.33 million budget, a 1.5 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Joseph Guarino is running unopposed. Voting is from 5 to 9 p.m.

Mattituck adopted a $1.82 million budget, a 1.8 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Lloyd H. Reisenberg is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Medford adopted a $2.86 million budget, a 0.54 percent decrease from the current budget. Incumbent Richard Piquette is being challenged by Michael Cicero. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Melville adopted a $4.9 million budget, a 1.7 percent increase from the current budget. Donald Barkley and James Schuler are vying for one seat. Voting is from 1 to 9 p.m.

Middle Island adopted a $3.29 million budget, a 3.7 percent decrease from the current budget. Anthony Rempel is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Miller Place adopted a $2.2 million budget, a 0.9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Stephen Rasweiler is running unopposed. Voting is from 4 to 9 p.m.

Montauk adopted a $1.65 million budget, a 5.8 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Carmine Marino is running unopposed. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Mount Sinai adopted a $1.45 million budget, a 2.65 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent James Hansen is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Nesconset adopted a $2.52 million budget, a 5.2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Ed Swenson is being challenged by Todd Hutchinson. Voting is from 1 to 9 p.m.

North Patchogue adopted a $4.01 million budget, a 3.8 percent increase over the current budget. John Kirshey is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

North Sea adopted a $1.26 million budget, a 5.8 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent John Washabaugh is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Orient adopted a $602,920 budget, a 3.1 percent increase over the current budget. Richard Milligan and William Wysocki are vying for one seat. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Patchogue adopted a $1.88 million budget, a 0.2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Paul Felice is running unopposed. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Port Jefferson adopted a 1.72 million budget, a 3.4 percent increase over the current budget. Tom Coyle and Herb Reckenbeil are vying for a five-year seat. Kevin Bates, an appointed commissioner, and James Makarius are vying for a four-year seat. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Ridge adopted a $3.42 million budget, a 2.4 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Lewis Morgenstern is being challenged by David Hellberg Jr. There also is a proposition on the ballot for a $7 million bond for the renovation and replacement of the fire department's headquarters at 20 Frances Mooney Dr. The bond vote did not pass in October. Voting is from noon to 9 p.m.

Riverhead adopted a $4.66 million budget, a 1.6 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Mark Conklin is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Rocky Point adopted a $3.77 million, a 3.9 percent increase over the current budget. Eugene Buchner and Ann Logan are vying for one seat. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

St. James adopted a $2.11 million budget, a 1.9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Lawrence Montrose is being challenged by Glen Itzkowitz. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Sayville adopted a $2.31 million budget, a 1.8 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Donald Corkery is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Selden adopted a $5.99 million budget, a 2.2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Scott Nowakowski is being challenged by Robert White. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.

Setauket adopted a $5.1 million budget, a 2 percent increase over the current budget. James Makarius is running against Lawrence Germano. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Shelter Island adopted a $831,286 budget, a 2.4 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Richard Surozenski is unopposed for a five-year term, and incumbent Andrew Reeve is unopposed for the remaining three years of an unexpired term. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Smithtown adopted a $5.29 million budget, a 2.9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Joseph M. Gardella is being challenged by Thomas F. Duckham. Voting is from 4 to 9 p.m.

Sound Beach adopted a $1.44 million budget, a 1.4 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Robert Pulick is running unopposed. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Southampton adopted a $1.7 million budget, a 2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Brian P. Cooke is running unopposed. Voting is from 5 to 9 p.m.

Southold adopted a $1.83 million budget, a 1.7 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent H. William Sawicki is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Springs adopted a $1.03 million budget, a 1.9 percent increase over the current budget. Michael Benton is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Stony Brook adopted a $2 million budget, a 5.8 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Peter Gustafson is running unopposed. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Terryville adopted a $4.61 million budget, a 0.7 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Eileen Antignano is running unopposed. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

Wading River adopted a $2.08 million budget, a 2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Tom Lateulere is running unopposed. There is a proposition on the ballot to bond for $4.75 million to rebuild a substation. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

West Babylon adopted a $3.69 million budget, a 2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Matthew Smith is running unopposed. Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m.

West Islip adopted a $4 million budget, a 1.2 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Kevin Shaughnessy is being challenged by Michael Mercurio. Voting is from 1 to 9 p.m.

West Sayville-Oakdale adopted a $2.83 million budget that is unchanged from the current budget. Incumbent Joseph Mandanici is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Westhampton Beach adopted a $1.89 million budget, a 1.8 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Frederick D. Overton is running unopposed. Voting is from 6 to 9 p.m.

Yaphank adopted a $2.06 million budget, a 9 percent increase over the current budget. Incumbent Charles Mapes is running unopposed. Voting is from 3 to 9 p.m.