Peru Fire District vote May 5: $600K bond addition for new fire station

PERU | Voters in the Peru Volunteer Fire District are being asked to weigh in at a referendum vote on May 5. The volunteer fire company is seeking voter approval to borrow up to $600,000 additional monies for planned renovations at the fire station. A referendum to bond for up to $5 million was approved by district voters on September 3, 2024. But bids submitted and opened in April this year came in with a total cost of $6.5 million. The fire company will utilize $710,000 in building reserve funds plus $340,000 in district funds to offset the nearly $1.6 million difference, leaving a gap the Fire Commission set up to $600,000 for the referendum. Peru Fire Commission Chairman Chad Frechette said increased costs relate to inflationary pressure on estimates made two years ago. The project was presented to the public and approved in 2024. The plans are essentially the same, as the volunteer fire company looks to widen the existing station and add vital firefighter health and safety equipment. The proposed addition puts five vehicle bays in front and reconfigures area in the current bay section for a decontamination area, showers and an air pack refill station. New bays in front would be taller and longer to accommodate new standards in fire vehicles and adds a decontamination room for firefighters with a source capture system to remove vehicle exhaust from the building. "In addressing this deficit," project documents prepared by Architectural & Engineering Design Associates PC (AEDA) of Plattsburgh summed, "the department can significantly reduce the amount of contamination within the other areas of the station. The health and well-being of the department's volunteers is of paramount importance both to their families and the community." The decontamination room would have a full walk-in shower, washing machines, gear dryer, utility sink and storage for cleaning supplies. Bunker gear would be relocated to a new entry point on the eastern side of the station, streamlining response time. Firefighters would park and enter from the east end (left side, facing) of the building. Fire trucks would exit from the front. The existing fire station was built in 1973 with an addition in 2004-05. This expansion proposes to add 3,600 square feet, for a total 11,350 square feet. Probable use period for the completed project is 30 years. An all volunteer fire department, the company has four first-out trucks, including two engines, one tanker and one heavy rescue truck, along with brush trucks and support equipment. First responders, including EMTs, have between 600 and 800 calls per year. The special election of the Peru Fire District will be held on May 5 at the Fire Station, located at 753 Bear Swamp Road. Polling is open from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

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Peru Fire District vote May 5: $600K bond addition for new fire station

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