Voters reject bond for firehouse repairs

Rockville Centre voters have decisively rejected the village floating a $21.1-million bond to finance the renovation of two firehouses.

Residents on Tuesday voted 2,147 to 678 against the bond resolution for the Rockville Centre Fire Department. The four bonds, ranging from 10 to 25 years, would have cost taxpayers annually, from $12.62 in June 2012 to $204.87 in June 2015, officials said.

"I am not surprised that it was voted down because of the cost," said Mayor Mary W. Bossart, who was unseated by Francis X. Murray, of the RVC United Party, in the same election.

The bonds would have been used to pay for renovations to the fire department headquarters and to rebuild the Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 firehouse on Maple Avenue. The plan also called for closing House Company No. 1 on South Centre Avenue.

Fire officials said the buildings have fallen into disrepair. The department has more than 340 volunteer firefighters and has served the village since 1895. Fire Chief John Bushing could not be reached for comment.

Murray, 60, a member of the fire department for 40 years and a small-business owner, opposed the bond.

"It was the wrong thing at the wrong time," said Murray, whose father, Eugene Murray, was the village mayor from 1987 to 2007. "However, we will have some other plan to get some firehouse built, but it would not be the same plan."

Now, he said, the department will look to consolidate its three firehouses and come up with other ways to make the renovations and bring the firehouses into compliance with municipal codes.

"My administration is in tune with the fire department needs and the taxpayers," Murray said. "We are going to act quickly."