Community Input Wanted On Firehouse’s Future

The future of the aging Nanuet Firehouse is the subject of a special community meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Nanuet Board of Fire Commissioners is asking for public input on its proposal for relocating the fire department. A flyer went to all Nanuet addresses asking people to attend the Open House at the fire department at 7 Prospect Street.

Harold Straut, chairman of the board of fire comissioners, said detailed information on the current building’s challenges and conditions and a new building concept for department-owned property on Old Middletown Road will be presented. The fire commissioners and Bernard J. Lanza of Battoglia Lanza Architectural Group PC will explain costs, renderings, site plans and floor plans.

Even though the meeting is being held at the current firehouse, Straut said tours of the building are not part of the program, but can be arranged upon request. He said a large number of photos depicting current conditions will be shown and formal tours are being planned for the future.

The material sent to residents and business owners notes the 70-year old building was constructed in 1943.

“Since then, however, our community has evolved and the current firehouse – now outdated and facing serious infrastructural deficiencies – no longer best meets the needs of our community. To put it simply, the firehouse is falling apart.”

The flyer further states, “the building’s deficiencies are hindering our ability to safely and effectively protect our community.” It shows images of cracked walls above doorways and missing sections of molding and walls attributed to persistent flooding.

The Fire District already owns the 2.1-acre site along Old Middletown Road. It was acquired in August 2012 with $650,000 from capital reserve funds.

“Funding a replacement building will require a community-approved bond issue,” Straut said.

He said the future of the current firehouse and the property it is located on will also be discussed.  Straut recently shared some updates with the Nanuet Civic Association.