Kenneth Borchers had been a Garden City Park firefighter for more than two decades before he first won his seat on the Board of Commissioners for the Garden City Park Fire and Water Districts in 2007, he said.
Borchers, a lifelong New Hyde Park resident, ran because he wanted to serve his community in a bigger way, he said. His service will likely continue for another three years, as he is running unopposed Tuesday for a fourth term on the board.
Borchers, 54 and still a firefighter, said he is proud of the attentive service his districts have provided in his first nine years.
“Any time there’s an incdient, it’s something that we handle and take care of immediately,” he said. “If somebody calls the office they don’t get the run-around.”
The special districts provide fire and water service for about 20,000 residents in Garden City Park, Manhasset Hills, and parts of New Hyde Park, Mineola, North Hills, Roslyn, Williston Park, Albertson and Garden City.
A single board of three commissioners oversees the districts, which have a combined 2017 budget of about $7.4 million.
Borchers touted the water district’s initiative to fix several wells, pump stations and water mains. Work started about two months ago and will continue over the next couple of years, Borchers said.
“It’s a major overhaul so we can secure our drinking water and supply the most safe and secure drinking water to our community at the lowest cost we can.”
The Fire Department has received grants totaling $200,000 for new gear and radios, which has helped keep taxes down, Borchers said.
The districts also recently donated new water fountains to schools in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park school district, Borchers said.
The Garden City Park Fire Department saw some tension earlier this year when First Assistant Chief Matthew Flood was found guilty of disciplinary violations after a series of trial-like hearings.
Borchers said that was an internal dispute that has since been resolved.
“It’s all been rectified and taken care of and we’re all moving along to work together,” he said.
Flood did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Polls will be open for the Board of Commissioners election from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Garden City Park Fire and Water Districts’ headquarters at 333 Marcus Ave. in New Hyde Park, and at the Denton Avenue School at 1050 Denton Ave. in New Hyde Park.
Borchers is paid $100 for each Board of Commissioners meeting he attends.
