Thiells-Rosedale Fire District Voters Approve New Station

THIELLS, NY — Fewer than 300 people in the Thiells-Roseville Fire District voted on Tuesday and they overwhelmingly approved a new fire station.

The vote April 30 was on a $24.3 million bond referendum to support the purchase of land and the construction of a new state-of-the-art fire station. The vote was 236 "yes" and 25 "no."

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who voted and to the community for their continued support,” District Commissioner Robert Masiello said in a statement. “Moving forward with the construction of a new main station will ensure that we provide our firefighters with a safe and functional fire station where they can properly train and effectively respond to the growing needs of our community.”

Planning began in 2018 on a proposal for a new fire station. The 60-year-old main station does not meet current safety standards or community needs, and repairs would be costly, district officials said.

The new site is centrally located, and fire district officials said they will now work with legal counsel to move forward with the purchase of the land.

To help offset the cost to property owners, the district will use $700,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund, $150,000 from the operating fund and the proceeds from the sale of the old firehouse. The annual cost to the average homeowner would be $191.81.