Nyack, Dec 11 — Challenger Jennifer Knecht handily defeated incumbent Peter Wortendyke to become the first woman to be elected a commissioner in the Nyack Joint Fire District. Knecht received 65% of the 475 votes cast at the Park Street Fire Station on Tuesday night.

Nyack’s five fire commissioners each serve five year terms overseeing the annual district budget. They are also responsible for apparatus and fire station maintenance, firefighting equipment purchase and maintenance of the Nyack Fire District.