The Wake Forest Fire Department and the Wakette Rural Fire District will hold their annual meeting tonight, Thursday, Sept. 25, at Station #1 on East Elm Avenue.

All property owners in the town and the rural district are encouraged to attend the meeting, vote in the election and participate in the discussion about the progress and activities of the department.

For those new to the area, the Wake Forest Fire Department is an independent corporation governed by the board of directors. It contracts with the Town of Wake Forest and with Wake County to provide fire protection for the town and the surrounding area. Currently the town, which does provide the greater portion of the fire department’s budget, has set aside 10 cents of the 51-cent property tax rate for the department’s operations and capital plan. The town also imposes a graduated fire impact fee on all new construction. The fee for new single-family homes is $592.

Wake County’s contribution can vary from year to year, and the county distributes its 10-cent fire tax funds to the various county fire departments based on perceived need.

Both James Holding, the secretary, and Bob Bridges, the vice-president, are seeking new four-year terms, and there are no other candidates. Clifton Keith, a deputy chief, was recently chosen by the board to fill Scott Spangler’s term. Spangler was elected last year. Stanley Denton is the president, Don Griesedieck is the treasurer, and the other members are Randy Bright, Dean Tryon, Thomas Walters and Bill Wandrack, a fireman. Commissioner Frank Drake is the town board’s liaison to the fire department board.

Voting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:30; the winning candidates will be announced during the business meeting.