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Potential New Fire House Considered by CS Village Board
Referendum probable for financing project
by Kevin Foley
The prospect of building a new firehouse on gifted land at the old Butterfield Hospital site and all it might entail was the main focus of the Cold Spring Village Board of Trustees weekly workshop on Tuesday, December 4, 2007. The land would be provided by developer Paul Guillaro as part of his plan for an assisted living facility as well as senior citizen condominiums on the site.
Mayor Anthony Phillips began the discussion by saying he had held meetings with the Village volunteer fire company to begin to see what a new building might look like and what may be required to comply with the building code, any historic district requirements as well as the proper standards for a firehouse.
The Mayor acknowledged that the land currently being offered by the developer was " a difficult property with no setbacks, making building a firehouse a tight fit." He also said he anticipated that the fire company would take responsibility for the PR campaign necessary to win public support for the Village borrowing what he described as "a lot of money" to fund the project.
While the Mayor wouldn't speculate as to what he thought the price would be, he agreed with Trustee Seth Gallagher that a final number would be needed and that it would be better if that figure came from a licensed architect than just the fire company. "There are a lot of things that still need to be worked out on this," said the Mayor, emphasizing it was early in the process. He pointed out that the developer had yet to even close on the property.
Trustee Karen Dunn expressed her concern that the Board was in danger of "skipping an important step." She said "it would be beneficial if the Fire Department made a formal presentation to the Board by its master planning committee so we can see what they think they need and what they are thinking about Village needs 15 years out."
Seth Gallagher said he expected that a public referendum would be needed to approve moving forward with the building of a new firehouse given the expense and the borrowing needed. The Mayor countered that it wasn't necessary, citing the building of the Village water treatment plant as an example where a referendum wasn't held.
Trustees Dunn and Teagle both said that this project involved a lot of money and they too believed a referendum was needed. In response to concerns about the timing of holding a referendum the Mayor indicated that if it was not on the ballot in time for the March Village elections it could be held later in the year. Trustee Mancari said the Village was empowered to hold a referendum at any time if notification requirements were met.
Recognizing a majority sentiment toward a referendum the Mayor asked the Trustees, "are we as a board all agreed to go forward toward a referendum?" Although no vote was taken the answer appeared to be affirmative.
Trustee John Teagle opened up a long and lively discussion when he suggested that the Comprehensive Plan Special Board should make a presentation to the Board on the issue of the firehouse. "What would that do?" asked a clearly exasperated Mayor who has made no secret of his enthusiasm for accepting a transaction that would bring a long-sought new firehouse to fruition. "The developer is promoting a complete site, of which this is a piece," said the Mayor.
"Other sites are being assessed for a possible firehouse," said Susan Peehl, a member of the Special Board Working Group on Infrastructure. This news upset both the Mayor and members of the fire company present who have in the past seen the Special Board as hostile to the firehouse with its advocacy of a Village moratorium on any development.
"What are you looking at?" asked a frustrated Dan Valentine of the fire company. "I hope this is not about the Little League field which some yo-yo spoke about a while back at some meeting," said the Mayor.
"We just want to assess what has been looked at in the past and understand why they were rejected," said Peehl. "It would help your (fire company) case if the Special Board is added to others weighing in on this. We're not the opposition."
Another working group member, Peter Henderson, drew some laughter when he said, " at the risk of being called a yo-yo, the ball field is a viable option." Henderson and the Mayor then went back and forth on whether the ball field was being fully utilized with the Mayor making clear he did not have Henderson in mind when he had disparaged the idea.
"Everyone in the Village wants the best possible firehouse," said Trustee Dunn. The Fire Department is the best source of information. You've done the research about our needs years out. We all need to hear this. The building is going to up our taxes; we need to make the best case."
Dan Valentine of the fire company explained that the company had first come to the Village Board two years ago petitioning for a new firehouse. He said that a year later the discussion was only about whether the site of the present firehouse or the Butterfield property would be best. Since the present site would be twice as expensive to build on, the Butterfield property was seen as the best option. Valentine said other sites were not considered available.
The Mayor reiterated his contention that the property being offered by the developer was the only viable option. "It's a difficult site but it's buildable," said Phillips.
Several audience members countered that the Board did not have to accept that the developer's offer was the best he could do or that the new firehouse had to be located there. They said the Infrastructure Working Group was gathering data that could be used for further discussion.
"If the Village Board, the Special Board and the Fire Department all work together, Mr. Guillaro has said he will listen to what the Village has to say," said Karen Dunn.
"It's not a pure gift," said Peter Henderson, "he (the developer) wants his application to go smoothly."
"We should meet with him as soon as possible to discuss where we are," said Seth Gallagher who added that people were also concerned about the developer's plan for a senior center on the site as well with some wondering whether it should be expanded into a full community center.
The Mayor, eager to bring a lengthy dialogue to a close said he would get in touch with Guillaro to schedule a meeting with the Board. Several people noted that Guillaro was meeting with the Village Planning Board just down the hall
In other business the Board agreed informally to move toward a formal resolution changing the Village election hours from 12-9pm to 6am-9pm, citing the need to accommodate commuters to New York City and people who work shifts at hospitals and other institutions among others.
The Board voted a resolution of support for a grant proposal to the Preserve America Foundation in support of the Grove Restoration project.
The Mayor announced he had received a letter from the state Department of Transportation indicating the Village would receive a $25,000 grant to fund the installation of two crosswalks and some drainage work along the southern entrance to the Village along route 9D.
The Board also agreed to take up possible changes in the procedures for the Zoning and Planning Board and to examine changing the fees and fines paid for permits and violations of the Village codes at their meetings on January 15 and 22. 2008.
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