Robert Koch, a longtime member of the Pine Plains Fire District Board of Commissioners, is running unopposed for re-election. If Koch secures a single vote in the election, he will serve another five-year term, extending his tenure until Dec. 31, 2029.
The board of commissioners oversees the Pine Plains Fire District, managing the firehouse, equipment, and budget. Composed of five unpaid members serving staggered five-year terms, the board ensures the district operates within the town’s tax cap while addressing the needs of the volunteer fire department.
The Pine Plains Fire Department handles approximately 300 calls annually, according to Fire Chief and Town Supervisor Brian Walsh. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the department currently has about 30 active members but faces challenges recruiting during daytime hours when many volunteers are unavailable due to work.
“More volunteers always make us stronger,” Walsh said. “We’re 100% volunteer-based, and it’s a job that isn’t really a job — it’s a service to the community. Daytime coverage is often the hardest, so the more people we have, the better we can serve Pine Plains.”
The election will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pine Plains Fire House, 7 Lake Road. Only Pine Plains residents who registered to vote with the Dutchess County Board of Elections by Nov. 18 are eligible to cast their ballots.
