Voters in Brighton have overwhelmingly voted in favor of dissolving the West Brighton Fire Protection District.

The attorney for the West Brighton Fire District, Brad Pinsky, tells us 459 registered voters were in favor and 70 voters were against.

The vote means that the town has to form a new government to provide the residents with fire services. A board of fire commissioners would have to be selected and would be the sole decision makes on who provides fire protection for the town.

The West Brighton Fire Department and the Town of Brighton have been at odds since December when the Brighton Town Board voted to hand over primary fire services to the City of Rochester Fire Department. Town leaders say they went with that plan after a 2011 study found that the West Brighton Department was not responding to calls adequately and did not have enough volunteers to help.

Some residents and firefighters disagreed, arguing that the study was flawed and that the town wanted to get rid of the department all together. They collected hundreds of signatures forcing the vote allowing residents to weigh in.