New Fire Station Cost is too high!

Dear Editor,

This letter is written in regards to the residents of Apalachin to which the proposed renovation of the fire department will affect. Please note that on March 16, from noon to 9 p.m. a vote will be held on a Capital Bond for the fire department. The supporters of the project argue that the building must be renovated due to numerous safety and building violations. However, there have been no official fines or citations against the Station. Before the voting, I would like to address a few specific concerns many have in relation to the financial aspects of the renovated building.

First, allow me to clarify the "fine print" involved with the fire station’s renovation. As we all know, the project will cost an estimated $4.5 million. That seems like it will become a very tough burden among Apalachin taxpayers, especially given our local unemployment rate and shaky economy. However, $4.5 million will not be the final cost of the project. An additional $1.5 million will be added in interest over the course of 25 years that it will take us and our children to pay off. All of this money for a renovated building? The original building is essentially just being added on to for 6 million dollars. For a probable usefulness as stated in the fire districts proposal of only 25 years. That seems ludicrous to me.

Citizens were misled by those who came door to door asking to mount yard signs in their yards. They claimed that the median household income for this area was $96,000, hence taxes would increase by an increase of $77 per year in fire district taxes. However, the median household income for this area is actually $190,000 according to (www. City data.com). Ten year old US census data has us at $ 91,000. A fair estimate is $140,000. Therefore, taxes would increase by $150 additional dollars per year on your fire tax alone for the next 25 years! This doesn’t even include the fire tax you pay now and additional increases in the future which could include the costs of new trucks, maintenance, improvements to the substations, insurance increases, etc. The question we must ask ourselves is: Is this elaborate building necessary, or could we perhaps find a less expensive alternative? Campville’s steel construction fire station was built at a fraction of the cost. I ask this because, as I have already shown you, the tax burden would be unjustly heavy when state and local governments will also be raising your taxes to make up their shortfall, but also because some features of the station are more in the name of luxury than they are of practicality. For example, both the volunteer fire chief and the first assistant deputy fire chief will be receiving each a private office room from the renovation. There will also be a banquet room, fully furnished kitchen and recreation room for volunteer firemen.

I believe we need to rethink our plan for the Apalachin Fire Station. Our town is small and has no practical need for a six million dollar renovated fire station such as the one they are trying to propose. The issue of parking for the building is not even addressed in the plan. Currently, the Apalachin Methodist’s Church parking lot is being used, and with this plan it will continue to be used the future. I believe the supporters of the Fire Station Renovation need to keep the taxpayer in mind and consider less expensive alternatives. We are living in a time where citizens simply cannot pay for every idea that sounds good. While we may want a large impressive fire station, we cannot afford a huge commitment in our taxes. Our children do not want to pay for this renovation 25 years from now when they will probably already have another renovation in the works. So, on March 16, please consider what I have said please consider what your tax bill will really look like in 2011 before you tap the Yes button in the voting booth. Many laid off and retired fix income residents really need us to do the right thing. Vote NO.

Sincerely,

Barbara Roberts

Apalachin, NY

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