The Wellesley Island Fire Department is inching closer to finally getting a new station. Our Alex Valverde tells us why the department needs a new home and when officials hope to start building it.
WELLESLEY ISLAND, N.Y. -- Right now, a spot off of Cross Island Road on Wellesley Island is an empty plot of land filled with plants and rocks, but soon, the Wellesley Island Fire Department will call this area home. The department is able to move forward with plans to build a new fire station after voters backed a $1.3 million bond last week.
"Having a new fire station on Wellesley Island is going to really represent a unity of people coming together and supporting the fire department," said Wellesley Island Fire Chief Randy Beach. "It's going to help protect the people and it's also going to help protect the whole township."
Officials said the location would put local businesses and residents within about a 5-mile radius of the new department.
"It's actually just about in the middle of the island and it provides adequate protection for 99 percent of everybody on the island," said Orleans Fire District Chairman Brian Reome.
Two years ago, the former station burned down after a fire broke out in the Commercial Block building and destroyed several businesses. Since then, the department's vehicles have spread out across the island, which has led to some issues.
"One is rented space on Wellesley Island, then there's a small station on the Alexandria end, and then there's a storage facility in TI Park that they're keeping another truck. So, there are three locations," said Reome. "Getting the vehicles out and responding to a call when the vehicles are in three locations, it's a logistical nightmare for a fire chief."
Fire officials are looking forward to once again having one spot for all emergency vehicles, which they say will make calls run smoother and faster.
Officials hope to begin construction next spring.