Celebration caps completion of firehouse project

Posted 6/7/22

A celebration that was more than 20 years in the making was finally held, Saturday morning, when the Wallkill Fire District officially welcomed its new firehouse with a ribbon-cutting …

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Celebration caps completion of firehouse project

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A celebration that was more than 20 years in the making was finally held, Saturday morning, when the Wallkill Fire District officially welcomed its new firehouse with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Taking on a project of this size was no easy task,” Fire commissioner Michael Croce reminded the gathering of residents, uniformed firefighters and auxiliary members and a smattering of dignitaries.

Several of Saturday’s speakers recalled the efforts of Joseph Kelly, the late past chief and fire commissioner, who started the effort more than 20 years ago, with the assistance of longtime Commissioner Delbe Spath and others.

It took several attempts and revisions of plans before the $7.1 million project was approved by district voters on March 24, 2019. The district would borrow more than $5.5 million and contribute $1.5 million from reserve funds.

Approval came after an extensive campaign spearheaded by Fire Commissioner Michael Croce to convince residents that it would result in only a slight tax increase of $1.65 per thousand of assessed valuation. Croce and the other commissioners made the rounds, visiting with various community organizations, as well as the town board and school board meetings, in search of support. The project was long in the works as fire commissioners sought to replace the aging firehouse on Central Avenue, next to Shawangunk Town Hall.

Fire Chief Joe LoCicero noted that this is the third home for the Wallkill Hook, Ladder and Hose Company, which was established in 1902. The first home had only two fire bays. The second, completed in 1964, and in service until recently, had four bays.

The new building, designed by architect Peter Cirillo of Middletown, gives a nod to Wallkill’s past. The property on Bona Ventura Avenue, across from the John C. Borden Middle School was once part of the historic Borden estate.

Cirillo recalled that he was originally hired for the project in 2006, with a contract signed by the later Peter Riggins. His main contact with the fire district in recent years, has been through Fire Commissioner Andy Harcher.

In 2008, the project was shelved because of the economy. It resumed eight years later, with construction bids going out in March of 2019. There was one more delay, however, when the Covid pandemic intervened.

Construction of the the 17,500 square-foot complex by Barone Construction of Highland finally began in August of 2020.

“I just hope that the community is proud of this building,” Cirillo said.

Among the amenities of the new structure is a generator, financed in large part by a $50,000 state grant from former State Senator Jen Metzger that will keep the building in full operation in the event of a power outage.

“And there will be power outages,” Croce warned.

One other nod from the past is the old firehouse bell from Central Avenue. It has been restored and re-located to the new property.

Saturday’s festivities marked the start of a busy month in Wallkill. The Wallkill Fire Department is hosting the annual convention of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association. That will include a Mardi Gras Parade on the evening of June 17 and a dress parade on Saturday, June 18.