Fire Districts/Ambulance
The Town of Charlton has three (3) fire districts. Fire districts are not part of Town government. Charlton’s Town Board has no say or responsibilities over fire district matters. However, fire districts must comply with all Town zoning and building requirements.
Fire districts are governed by an elected board of five (5) fire district commissioners; and, they are required to have a treasurer and secretary. Fire districts have the power to require the levy of taxes on real property within their districts and to borrow in their own names.
The oversight of fire districts is the responsibility of the State Comptroller (as is contained in the State Constitution, Article 3 of the General Municipal Law and Town Law. Click here for the Office of the New York State Comptroller’s ‘Fire District Accounting and Reporting Manual (approx. 95 pages). This Manual contains the fire district laws and operating procedures.
How Charlton's Fire Districts Answer Calls
During the day from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, depending on where the call comes in, there is mutual aid response. This means that all Charlton Fire Districts and the Burnt Hills Fire Department will respond if a call for a fire comes in. If there is a non-fire call, the District receiving the call will respond, and, will call for backup if it is required. After 6:00 pm, each Charlton Fire District responds individually to all calls. If needed, the District can and will call for backup if necessary.
Listed below are Charlton’s fire districts, and their operating funds for 2019 (this info was compiled by Saratoga County). Note, the Harmony fire district also provides coverage to a portion of the Towns of Galway and Milton.
Fire District | 2019 Assessed | Tax Rate Per M | 2019 Collected |
|---|---|---|---|
Charlton | $231,695,923 | $1.294870 | $300,016.10 |
Harmony | $54,917,153 | $1.441266 | $79,150.23 |
W. Charlton | $58,859,434 | $2.048372 | $120,566.02 |
Charlton Ambulance | $341,209,434 | $0.230064 | $78,500.01 |
Links to our fire district websites are listed, if the district has a website; and/or contact info is shown below.
Fire Departments (Public is welcome at meetings listed below)
Name | Non-Emergency Phone | Fire Dept. Meetings | Fire Commissioners' Meetings |
|---|---|---|---|
399-1967 | 7:00 pm at the Firehouse. | 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. | |
Harmony Corners | 882-1091 | 2nd Tuesday of the month at 8:00 pm at the Firehouse | 2nd Monday of the month at 8:00 pm |
West Charlton Volunteer | 882-1010 | 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Firehouse | 4th Monday of the month with the exception of July & August. |