In less than three weeks, village voters will be asked to vote for a plan that could serve to consolidate Ellenville�s three firehouses � an achievement that many have felt should have occurred some time ago.

The Ellenville Fire District has put forth a plan to spend $550,000 to buy an existing business� location and remove another building from the village�s tax rolls without any information as to how much the prospective firehouse�s renovation would cost or any sense that any of the buildings left vacant by the three firehouses would be sold in a timely fashion. The EFD says it is doing this because it has been given a tight timeline to pull its financing together or the building will be sold to another buyer.

Over the course of the year, EFD representatives have spoken to the village board about expanding the Kimble Hose Firehouse on Berme Road. What created this sea change in the district�s leadership over the last two months is unclear.

Why hold a public meeting between Christmas and New Year�s Eve? Why not make more of an effort to notify the public? Why not consult an engineer? In short, what is the rush?

It seems that the EFD is being goaded into a speedy decision by a seller that wants to be rid of its property. It has not had the opportunity to perform cost estimates on the building�s remodeling or its maintenance and utility costs. None of the companies, to our knowledge, has anyone interested in purchasing any of the three buildings that could be left vacant if consolidation occurred. Except for the village�s possible takeover of the Kimble Hose building for its street department or a community center (which would not return that building to the tax rolls) there are no plans for the repercussions of the January 29 vote, should it pass.

This is the case that is being put forth for Ellenville�s residents to vote not only to pay the initial $550,000 but to make up for the loss in property tax revenue that the district�s purchase would create. In addition, should the money be approved, there remains a question of the remodeling costs, which could require another bond resolution of an unknown amount.

It is clear that there are many questions that need to be answered over the next 19 days. If the Ellenville Fire District wants the public to support this move, it must make its case to village residents. More importantly, the EFD may want to rethink its timetable and step back to question why, after so many years of discussion, is this arrangement the district�s best chance at consolidation.

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