Center Moriches voters reject $11.7M fire district bond

Center Moriches voters on Tuesday rejected an $11.7 million bond proposition to expand and renovate the community’s firehouse.

The bond was defeated by a vote of 270-173.

Fire district officials, who said they were “disappointed” by the vote, had said the two-story firehouse on Main Street needs to be rebuilt to address issues such as narrow truck bays and poor access for handicapped residents.

Officials had proposed reconstructing the west wing of the firehouse and adding a new east wing to expand truck bays and provide more space for offices and a radio room.

The plan would have increased taxes about 33 percent, from $21.50 per $100 of assessed home value to about $29.25, officials said.

Fire district officials on Wednesday did not announce immediate plans for a new vote or a new reconstruction proposal.

“The board of fire commissioners is disappointed by the outcome of the bond referendum, but we are committed to providing the community with appropriate fire and EMS [emergency medical services] facilities,” board members said in an emailed statement. “The board will look at next steps over the coming months.”

District officials had said rebuilding the existing firehouse would be cheaper than building a new facility.

The plan included reusing existing infrastructure, such as the elevator and boiler, officials had said.

The firehouse, originally constructed in the 1940s, was expanded in the 1970s, officials added.

Fire officials said call volume has increased by about 500 calls annually over the past decade.

They said the firehouse is not large enough to accommodate larger trucks required by federal and fire industry codes.

Officials said trucks barely fit into the firehouse bays and neither did ambulances that were custom-made to enter narrow passages. Officials said the smaller chassis of either vehicle soon will be discontinued by the manufacturer.

Officials had said they also are required to make the building more accessible to those with disabilities.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.