Voters approve firehouse reconstruction referendum

Voters approve firehouse reconstruction referendum
$4.2 million project passed by 2-1 margin

It was with feelings of relief and gratitude that firefighters in the Spencerport district tallied the results of the December 12 referendum for the reconstruction of a firehouse to replace Station One which was destroyed by fire August 11.

More than 600 voters turned out to voice their opinion on the proposal. It passed by a two-to-one margin with 384 individuals voting "yes" on the referendum and 192 voting "no."

"We're relieved and excited about the outcome of the referendum," district Board of Commissioners President Rich McQuilkin said. "Now we can get down to work and finalize the planning and decision-making on everything from the colors of the building to the type of equipment that will be in it."

The commissioners held off on expending the more than $400,000 it would cost to solicit architectural, mechanical, electrical and HVAC drawings until the referendum was decided. "Now that the taxpayers have given us the nod to go ahead, we will start getting the drawings developed. That is the first step before we go before the planning board to get the project underway."

Since the August 11 fire, the district has used two different locations in the district to house three of the seven trucks formerly housed at the main firehouse. Other apparatus are relocated at the two other district stations - one at the corner of Route 259 and Ridge Road West, the other on Route 259 in Ogden, south of the town's community center.

A study was undertaken by the commissioners for the replacement of Station One about two years ago. Other sites had been considered for the main headquarters, but commissioners favored keeping the former location as many firefighters live within the village. "Response time is shortened by having the firehouse centrally located," McQuilkin said.

"We want to thank the taxpayers in the community for their support," McQuilkin said. "Their support means a lot to us. We're excited about getting to work on a new firehouse."

The referendum authorizes the district to spend up to $5,200,000 for the cost of the construction and equipping of the proposed fire station at 175 and 183 Lyell Avenue. The district is seeking to bond $4,200,000. The balance of funds for the construction will come from casualty insurance proceeds estimated at not less than $1 million.

The 20-year bond will cost the taxpayers with the median home value of $130,000 an average of $21 per year. As with all bonds, the rate is derived over the 20-year life where the cost declines from year one at approximately $37 to year 20 at approximately $9 based on projected growth data, according to fire district leaders.

In public presentations and interviews before the vote, Spencerport Fire Chief Chris Wood said the new facility would help the department "catch up" in terms of space and amenities and would "give us room for the future." Officials expect the new firehouse would meet district needs 40 to 50 years into the future.

The building plans to replace Station One call for a two-story, 31,000 square foot building with a basement area. The firehouse will also have a public meeting area, shower, bunk rooms and locker facilities for men and women, a kitchen and, most importantly, room for the department's trucks. The new structure will be large enough to house two pumper trucks, a ladder truck, one rescue vehicle, a utility van and still have enough room to maneuver around. The former headquarters was 9,500 square feet.