Ti taxpayers vote down new firehouse

TICONDEROGA | Despite the need for a new firehouse, Ti taxpayers made their feelings clear on Tuesday, Oct. 28. With 202 in favor of the proposed new 19,000 square foot firehouse and 376 opposing, the answer was "no" to the fire department's near $18 million ask. The estimated total project cost would be $17,880,000, which would be bonded and repaid over a period of 25 years through local taxes. The life expectancy of the new building would be 50-75 years, possibly a century. "The proposed facility did its best to balance the needs of the department and the budgets of its taxpayers. However, the cost issue was obviously a major concern for many," Fire Chief Jason Parent said. When polls opened at 6 p.m., the current deteriorating Montcalm Street station, the line was immediate. Residents clearly had their minds made up and were determined to have their say so. "I voted no," one taxpayer said upon exiting the building. "It's simply too much money." An hour and a half in at 7:30 p.m., polling both attendants estimated at least 400 people had already been in. "It's a lot more than I was expecting," remarked attendant Cindy Gunning. One resident cast a vote for "yes," but had reservations while doing so. "I was tempted to put the ballot in blank," they admitted. "Even if we can afford the increase now, I worry about how things will look ten years down the road when property taxes keep rising, but voting against it somehow felt wrong." By the time the polls closed at 9 p.m., 587 people had voted. But with a reported 3,000 registered voters (per Board of Commissioner member Jeff Burns) in the Ticonderoga Fire District, there was some dismay that more residents hadn't exercised their right to approve or deny. "I am upset at the turnout," admitted Board of Commissioners member Steve Yaw. "With so few responding voters, it may or may not represent the total number for or against, just a small sample." There was also speculation that residents' indecision may have also played a part in the less-than-desired number of votes. "I didn't want to vote against it, but I didn't want to vote for it when our household is stretched thin as it is," admitted one taxpayer who opted to stay home the night ballots were cast. With recent town reassessments raising many property values, a government shutdown, inflated grocery bills, and heading into the holiday season, where many are already anticipating very modest Christmases, asking taxpayers to add another $1.79 per thousand from the $1.03 per thousand they already pay (bringing the total projection cost per thousand to $2.82) proved to be too much. "The recent reassessment did them in, I fear. It was bad timing to have the vote," said one resident who also voted 'no.' Though the town has spoken, it doesn't erase the fact that a new station is sorely needed. "The district will continue to pursue a new facility in the coming months as is clearly in the best interest of the residents and firefighters, to do so," Parent said. "The board and officers of the district will meet with their design team, taking into consideration the feedback we have received from the taxpayers this past month. In the meantime, we thank those who did turn out to support us."

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Ti taxpayers vote down new firehouse

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