Eatons Neck seeks $500G bond for firehouse renovations

Eatons Neck residents go to the polls Tuesday to vote on a $500,000 bond requested by the fire department for a renovation.

Fire commissioner Brian Gorman said the renovation project will cost about $800,000 to $850,000. He said fire officials have put aside about $200,000 in reserves and the district has been approved for a $150,000 low-interest state loan.

“The truck floor hasn’t been renovated or improved since 1966,” fire chief Jerry Hehir said. “With the size of the equipment we have today, it is just too difficult to operate in such tight spaces.”

Gorman said the district is trying to get a 20-year bond, which would cost residents about $40 to $100 more in taxes each year.

Gorman agreed the station is cramped and said the renovation would include refacing the front of the firehouse, moving the radio room to the front of the station, extending the building by 8 feet on one side, and making another section 2 feet higher.

Polls are open 6 to 9 p.m. at the station, 55 Eatons Neck Rd.