For years the Ellenville Fire District has explored the idea of consolidating the village's three firehouses, Kimble, Pioneer and Scoresby, and placing them under one roof. Within the past few months, Ellenville Fire District Commissioner Mike Moschetta has appeared before the village's board of trustees to discuss and review plans about the expansion of the Kimble Hose Firehouse on Berme Road to accommodate all three companies.

However, on December 28 the Ellenville Fire District held a public meeting to announce its intentions to forego the Kimble Hose expansion and, instead purchase the JM Originals building at the corner of Canal Street and Yankee Place.

AT A GLANCE WHAT: The Ellenville Fire District Vote WHERE: Greenfield Park Firehouse, Route 52 West WHEN: Tuesday, January 29, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. WHY: To vote on whether or not to approve a $550,000 bond so the district can purchase the JM Originals building (Yankee & Canal) and possibly consolidate Ellenville�s three fire companies � Kimble, Pioneer and Scoresby. WHO: Who can vote? All registered voters who are residents of the Ellenville Fire District.

�I had a meeting to inform the public. Unfortunately, no one from the public showed up. When people have asked me about it I have tried to answer them openly and honestly,� said Moschetta.

Now, a vote will be held on January 29 to decide whether or not to secure a $550,000 bond in order to purchase that building and possibly make it the new home for Ellenville's finest.

The building, which currently houses a children's clothing store, would need to be renovated in order to house the seven individual truck bays and one �drive through� bay (for smaller vehicles) but Ellenville Fire Commissioner Michael Moschetta says that he has not been able to speak with any engineers or architects regarding the building. Moschetta says that the reason for this has been the time constraints the building's seller has placed on the process.

�We were informed that somebody else is interested in buying the building so we felt we had to move fast,� said Moshetta. He went on to say that it would be, �impossible to put together building plans in a month.�

Moschetta feels that, with regard to renovations, the building would not need to change its footprint adding that the only significant structural change would be remodeling the roof to add a second story to the existing building. When asked where the money would come from for the as-yet unknown remodeling expenses, Moschetta said that the district could explore fundraising opportunities, seeking grants through the Federal Emergency Management Administration or by securing a second bond act.

Moschetta says that the reason the district has moved away from the Kimble Hose Firehouse expansion as an option is the surrounding area's environmental history, which included a dump that raised concerns for the area's community playground fundraisers last summer.

�I'll be very honest with you. There was always a worry due to the dump that used to be there,� said Moschetta, who went on to say that he is mainly concerned about what an environmental impact study would uncover and what it could potentially cost the district to remedy any problems.

But Moschetta was quick to say that he is not closing the door on any options, including the Berme Road consolidation.

�We haven't given up on anything.�

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When asked whether the fire district's 60-plus members are in favor of the purchase and consolidation Moschetta says that, �the membership is for it.� As for whether Moschetta feels that the bond resolution will pass, he responded cautiously, saying, �I'm optimistic - sort of.�

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Each of the three fire companies own each of their houses individually. Should the bond resolution pass and the three firehouses decide to consolidate, Moschetta believes that the companies would sell their houses, possibly putting them back on the tax rolls. Pioneer's firehouse, housed in the old Norbury Theater, has often been the subject of restoration for those interested in turning the building back into a movie theater.

How each company would spend whatever monies they received would be up to the individual companies though Moschetta said he would like to see each company use some of the sale proceeds to pay down the money secured by this, and perhaps a second, bond.

Currently, each district's building costs $16,200 per house per year. Each company's fundraisers are used to cover those costs while taxpayers within the district pay to purchase and maintain each company's equipment.

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Ellenville Village Manager Elliott Auerbach described the move to the JM Originals building as �premature.� He went on to say, �I hope they would come to the village board meeting on Monday and start a dialogue with the village board about this because I don't believe any of them know about this.�

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