Mattituck Fire District Revisits Building Expansion

MATTITUCK, NY — The Mattituck Fire District has decided to revisit plans for an expansion and is seeking volunteers and involvement by community members moving forward.

Mattituck Fire District commissioners said this week that discussions have resumed regarding a possible expansion of the existing firehouse, following the defeat of the original bond proposal in June, 2022.

The fire district has launched a series of meetings with department volunteers to review the former proposal and gather input as to what adjustments may be needed to the plan, they said.

The district's proposal to green light $11 million in bonds for the expansion of the firehouse on Pike Street was rejected last year by a vote of 71 to 50, according to the Suffolk Times.

The firehouse, which was originally constructed in 1929, no longer meets the needs of the fire department, officials said. Changes in mandated safety regulations, spatial limitations and outdated building systems are posing serious challenges for the community’s volunteers, they added.

“Over the past 94 years, fire services have drastically changed,” said Fire Commissioner Chairman Jason Haas.“Not only is today’s modern fire equipment larger, but safety standards have evolved and our community’s demands on emergency services are greater.”

Since 2013, the number of emergency calls to the fire department has increased from 548 to 683, an increase of approximately 25 percent, he said.

“We look forward to engaging our volunteers in the process of revisiting what they need to best meet the needs of our community,” Haas said.

While the date for a new community vote has not yet been established, the fire district looks forward to keeping all residents updated on the project. A community meeting will be held at a later date to review the revised proposal and address any questions that residents may have. Additionally, information will be mailed to all residents, as well as posted to the fire district’s new Facebook page.